1967 Lawrence Vikings football team

1967 Lawrence Vikings football
MWC champion
ConferenceMidwest Conference
Record8–0 (8–0 MWC)
Head coach
Captains
  • Chuck McKee
  • Gary Hietpas
Home stadiumLawrence Bowl
Seasons
← 1966
1968 →
1967 Midwest Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Lawrence $ 8 – 0 – 0 8 – 0 – 0
St. Olaf 6 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Monmouth (IL) 5 – 3 – 0 5 – 3 – 0
Beloit 4 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Coe 4 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Cornell (IA) 4 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Ripon 4 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Carleton 2 – 5 – 1 2 – 5 – 1
Grinnell 2 – 6 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Knox 0 – 7 – 1 0 – 7 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1967 Lawrence Vikings football team was an American football team that represented Lawrence University as a member of the Midwest Conference (MWC) during the 1967 NCAA College Division football season. In their third year under head coach Ron Roberts, the Vikings compiled a perfect 8–0 record (8–0 in conference games), won the MWC championship, and outscored all opponents by a total of 213 to 67. It was the first undefeated Lawrence team since 1951.[1][2]

Lawrence gained 1,715 rushing yards (214.4 per game) and 1,193 passing yards (91 completions in 197 attempts) On defense, they held opponents to only 720 rushing yards (90 per game) and 974 passing yards with 25 pass interceptions.[2]

The team's leading players included the following:

  • Quarterback Charles McKee led the team with 1,772 yards of total offense (650 rushing, 1,122 passing).[2] After the season, he was selected as the first-team quarterback on the 1967 Little All-America college football team.[3]
  • Rod Clark led the team in receiving with 24 catches for 343 yards and two touchdowns.[2]
  • Free safety John Biolo intercepted 11 passes.[4]
  • Co-captain Gary Hietpas was selected as the team's most valuable defensive player.[5]

The team's assistant coaches were Bob Mueller, Ted Ross, Clyde Rusk, and Pete Thomas.[5]

The team played its home games at the Lawrence Bowl in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23at CoeCedar Rapids, IAW 22–13
September 30at CarletonNorthfield, MNW 21–12
October 7St. Olaf
W 28–73,606
October 14Cornell (IA)dagger
  • Lawrence Bowl
  • Appleton, WI
W 34–74,712
October 21at RiponRipon, WI (rivalry)W 15–7
October 28KnoxGalesburg, ILW 28–7
November 4Grinnell
  • Lawrence Bowl
  • Appleton, WI
W 47–03,936
November 11Monmouth (IL)
  • Lawrence Bowl
  • Appleton, WI
W 18–144,476[1]
  • daggerHomecoming

[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Jim Harp (November 12, 1967). "Vikes Win, Complete First Perfect Seasonn Since 1951". Post-Crescent. pp. D1, D2 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d "Been Great Season, Says Coach Roberts of Undefeated Vikings". The Post-Crescent. November 14, 1967. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Harold Claassen (November 28, 1967). "C. McKee of Lawrence Is QB On Little All-America Eleven". Mansfield News-Herald. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "'A Matter of Pride,' Says Taggart of Win". Sunday Post-Crescent\date=November 12, 1967. p. D2 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b John L. Paustian (November 30, 1967). "DeCock, Kellom Will Lead 1968 Lawrence Gridders". The Post-Crescent. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved March 9, 2024.