University Of Utah
1975-76 Utes
(Authentic Reproduction)
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If interested in any of these Utah helmets please click on the
photos below.
Head Coach Tom Lovat introduced the I Formation and a new helmet for 1975,
hoping to stimulate a change in the team’s fortunes. Unfortunately it did not
work out well as the changes did nothing for the season’s results that
duplicated the abysmal one win ’74 season although the addition of a white
circular multi-lined decal with a stylized red “U” within it and a trailing
feather, and rear identification numerals were a positive touch. The lone
victory came against conference foe Wyoming who was also poor that season and
the Utes were generally ineffective on both sides of the ball. Transfer
quarterback Pat Degnan threw for 1621 yards, often to receiver Dick Graham,
primarily because the team had to play catch-up a good deal of the time.
Linebacker John Huddleston lasted two seasons with the Raiders. For ’76 the 3-8,
and 3-3 conference results were improvement, but still obviously inadequate.
This marked 1976 as Lovat’s final season as a head coach. Some fans saw panic
and others saw necessity as Lovat brought in a large group of junior college
transfers to try to turn things around. The highlight was the upset 31-28
victory over Arizona State on November 13, thanks to a late seventy-nine yard
touchdown catch-and-run by receiver Mike Cordy on a Degnan throw. It followed a
November 6th victory
over poor New Mexico but rather than a new beginning, the Utes dropped their
final two contests having demonstrated a lot of catch-up passing yards by
quarterbacks Dan Haremann and an injured Degnan in combo with Cordy and JC
transfer Jack Steptoe, the Conference Rookie Of The Year. Lovat may not have
been suited for the Utah head coaching job but he had a long and productive
career as a well- respected offensive line coach, going to the Stanford staff
after his firing, and spending the remainder of his active career with five NFL
clubs including two stints with the Packers. The next head coach would have to
fight off the ascension of both BYU and Utah State.
