1976 SMU Mustangs football
ConferenceSouthwest Conference
Record3–8 (2–6 SWC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeWishbone
Defensive coordinatorSteve Sidwell (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumCotton Bowl
Seasons
← 1975
1977 →
1976 Southwest Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 4 Houston + 7 1 0 10 2 0
No. 13 Texas Tech + 7 1 0 10 2 0
No. 7 Texas A&M 6 2 0 10 2 0
Baylor 4 3 1 7 3 1
Texas 4 4 0 5 5 1
Arkansas 3 4 1 5 5 1
Rice 2 6 0 3 8 0
SMU 2 6 0 3 8 0
TCU 0 8 0 0 11 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1976 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Led by first-year head coach Ron Meyer, the Mustangs compiled an overall record of 3–8 (2–6 in SWC, seventh).[1]

Hired in January, Meyer was previously the head coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), then in Division II.[2]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 11TCUW 34–1424,328
September 18at No. 14 Alabama*L 3–5663,203
September 25vs. North Texas State*W 38–3125,539
October 2at Memphis State*L 13–2731,424
October 9at BaylorL 20–2725,000
October 16No. 19 Houston*
  • Cotton Bowl
  • Dallas, TX
L 6–2928,204
October 23at No. 13 TexasL 12–1350,000
October 30Texas A&M
  • Cotton Bowl
  • Dallas, TX
L 0–3635,213
November 6at RiceL 34–4118,000
November 13at No. 5 Texas TechL 7–3434,780
November 20vs. ArkansasW 35–3132,000
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Roster

1976 SMU Mustangs football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
OL 71 Mike Jusko Fr
WR 21 Emanuel Tolbert Fr
SR 81 Gene Ratliff So
QB 12 Ricky Wesson Sr
RB 40 Arthur Whittington Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DL 61 Charles Hunt Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

References

  1. ^ "2020 Football Media Guide".
  2. ^ "SMU to be exciting". Victoria Advocate. (Texas). Associated Press. January 24, 1976. p. 3B.