1967 Idaho Vandals football team

1967 Idaho Vandals football
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
Record4–6 (2–2 Big Sky)
Head coach
Home stadiumNeale Stadium
Seasons
← 1966
1968 →
1967 Big Sky Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Montana State $ 4 – 0 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Montana 2 – 2 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Weber State 2 – 2 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Idaho 2 – 2 – 0 4 – 6 – 0
Idaho State 0 – 4 – 0 1 – 9 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1967 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1967 NCAA College Division football season. The Vandals were led by third-year head coach Steve Musseau and played a third season in the Big Sky Conference. Two home games were played on campus at Neale Stadium in Moscow, with another in Boise at old Bronco Stadium at Boise Junior College. The Vandals were 4–6 (2–2 in Big Sky, tied for second) and were outscored 332 to 156.[1]

After fullback Ray McDonald won the NCAA rushing title in 1966, the Vandals were involuntarily dropped by the NCAA to the College Division in 1967.[2] After two seasons, Idaho returned to the University Division in 1969.[3]

Entering November at 4–3, Idaho lost its last three games, all on the road; at Weber State and non-conference blowout losses at Washington State (14–52)[4] and Houston (6–77).[5] The latter was at the two-year-old Astrodome and was Idaho's first game on artificial turf.

Although Musseau's 13–17 (.433) record was better than each of the previous eight head coaches, pressure from alumni and boosters forced his resignation,[6][7][8] despite a signed petition by the Vandal football players that he remain for a fourth year.[9] He stayed with the university in 1968, but outside the athletic department in a fund-raising role under the university president.[10]

Of the five assistant coaches, only first-year line coach Ed Troxel was retained for 1968.[11] Formerly at Borah High School in Boise, he also coached track and became the Vandals' head track coach in May 1970. Troxel was an assistant coach in football at Idaho through 1973, then was the head coach for four seasons (1974–1977).

  1. ^ Payne, Bob (November 26, 1967). "Immediate Idaho needs: speed, size on defense". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 6, sports.
  2. ^ "Ostyn says Pacific cost major status". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. August 9, 1967. p. 15.
  3. ^ "NCAA ups 4 colleges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 2, 1969. p. 22.
  4. ^ Wilson, Mike (November 12, 1967). "Cougars end skid with 52-14 victory over Vandals". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. p. 14.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Cougars thump Idaho 77-6 in Houston's Astrodome". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. November 19, 1967. p. 10.
  6. ^ Wilson, Mike (November 28, 1967). "Musseau's resignation expected to be announced Wednesday". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Alums stalk Idaho coach". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. UPI. November 28, 1967. p. 10B.
  8. ^ "Vandals also need new coach; Musseau's resignation accepted". Lewiston Morning Tribune. November 30, 1967. p. 1, sec. 2.
  9. ^ "Musseau still leaving Idaho: petition ends in dust". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. UPI. November 30, 1967. p. 6.
  10. ^ "Idaho retains Musseau". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. February 9, 1968. p. 19.
  11. ^ "New Vandal coach will retain Troxel, let other assistants go". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. January 13, 1968. p. 9.