Football's 'Worst to First' Seasons Highlighted

NMU quarterback Steve Mariucci hands off to running back Randy Awrey for the game-winning touchdown run against Western Kentucky in the DII championship

The 1975 NMU Wildcat football team did something that hasn't been replicated in the history of NCAA sports: it followed a winless season with a national title. The team's turnaround from an 0-10 record the previous year to 13-1 and the NCAA Division II championship is highlighted in an "Iron Mountain Daily News" sports story (six players hailed from Dickinson County). 

The Wildcats' championship season came under second-year head coach Gil Krueger. The addition of assistant coach Buck Nystrom, whose "4th quarter program" had players raising four fingers to signify discipline, conditioning, motivation and effort, is credited with making a big difference. Read the full article here

Prepared By

Kristi Evans
News Director
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Categories: Around NMU