NW

The 1-10 of '76 was followed by ten consecutive losses in '77 until finally gaining victory over Illinois in the season finale. Northwestern was officially among the worst programs in the nation. With 102 points scored and 337 given up, the math was easy and help was needed everywhere. Attendance was abysmal with fewer than 20,000 attending four of five home games and revenues were down. Pont made the decision to focus solely upon his AD duties and a new coach was hired. The only bright spot? The Wildcats new helmet design preserved the purple shell but it was an improved look with one-inch white flanking stripes, the recognizable white "NU" logo, and the white mask that was introduced in 1975.