University of Northern Colorado Athletics
A Look Back: The 1974 Northern Colorado Football Team
10/2/2014 5:25:00 AM | Football
The Bears took the Great Plains Athletic Conference title in '74, posting an 8-1 overall record under legendary head coach Bob Blasi.
GREELEY, Colo. – In the spirit of homecoming we are taking a look back at the football teams through the decades leading up to Saturday's (Oct. 4) game against Northern Arizona at 1:30 p.m., continuing on with the 1974 team.
The 1974 crew was filled with success, posting an, 8-1 overall record and taking top honors in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The '74 Bears were also led by head Coach Bob Blasi who is the second-longest tenured coach in the program's history, leading UNC for 19 seasons and compiling a 107-71 record, bringing home six conference championships to Greeley.
The most notable members of the squad included, quarterback Gerry Dattilio, running back Chuck Taibi, wide receiver Mike Mitchell, tight end Dwight Bryan, linebackers Gary Weibert and Gary Widhelm, and defensive backs Mike Pierce and Steve Mason.
Dattilio and Wildhelm both went on to play professionally in the Canadian Football League. Dattilio produced a ten-year career in the CFL, playing for the Toronto Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampedes, and the Montreal Concordes.
All-Time Single Season Records that year (Number indicates spot on all-time record list):
Rushing Yards- 9. Chuck Taibi (1,033-yards)
Touchdown Passes- 15. Gerry Dattilio. (14 TD passes)
Points After Touchdown- 12. Mike Williams (32 PATs)
All-Time Single Game Records that year (Number indicates spot on all-time record list):
Longest Interception Return- 9. Mick Busch vs So. Colorado (1974) 72-yards (TD)
Longest Rushing Play- 1. Bob Smith vs Nebraska-Omaha (1974) 96-yards (TD)
All-Time Career Records of Players on the Team (Number indicates spot on all-time record list):
Rushing Yards- 6. Chuck Taibi (1974-76) 2,191-yards
Passing Yards- 13. Gerry Dattilio (1971-74) 2,953-yards
Touchdown Passes- 8. Gerry Dattilio (1971-74) 32 TD passes
Touchdown Catches- 10. Mike Mitchell (1972-75) 13 TD receptions
Points After Touchdown- 4. Mike Williams (1972-75) 92 PATs
Season Results:
1974 (8-1, GPAC Champions)
S 21 at Western State L, 22-42
S 28 Colorado Mines W, 56-7
O 5 Southern Colorado W, 48-14
O 12 at Fort Hays State W, 3-0
O 19 Emporia State W, 45-26
O 26 Nebraska-Omaha (HC) W, 36-7
N 2 at Pittsburg State W, 28-3
N 9 Washburn University W, 28-7
N 16 at Eastern New Mexico W, 31-12
*indicates conference game.
Check back in with www.UNCBears.com tomorrow as we conclude our weekly series with the 1964 Bears football team. For tickets to this Saturday's homecoming game against Northern Arizona call 1-970-351-4TIX or click here to order them online.
