What Is 1977 Ole Miss Rebels football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1977 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1977 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7-4 record under head coach Steve Sloan. They played their home games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, and competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Key Facts

The 1977 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 7-4 overall record.
Head coach Steve Sloan led the team in his second season at the helm.
They played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and had a 4-3 conference record.
Quarterback Billy Ray Locklin started most games and threw for 1,183 yards.
Ole Miss defeated rivals Mississippi State in the 1977 Egg Bowl, 21-14.

Overview

The 1977 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1977 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by head coach Steve Sloan in his second year, the team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played its home games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Rebels finished the season with a 7-4 overall record and a 4-3 mark in conference play, a slight improvement from the previous year. While they did not qualify for a bowl game, the team showed signs of progress under Sloan’s leadership and delivered a key victory over in-state rival Mississippi State.

Record: The team finished with a 7-4 overall record, including a 4-3 performance in the SEC, demonstrating moderate improvement from the prior season.
Head Coach:Steve Sloan was in his second season as head coach, having taken over in 1976 after serving as offensive coordinator at Alabama.
Stadium: All home games were played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 49,000 at the time and was located in Oxford, MS.
Quarterback:Billy Ray Locklin was the primary starting quarterback, throwing for 1,183 yards and 8 touchdowns during the season.
Rivalry Win: The Rebels defeated Mississippi State 21-14 in the 1977 Egg Bowl, a highlight of the season and a key in-state rivalry victory.

Season Performance

The 1977 campaign featured a mix of competitive wins and narrow losses, with the Rebels showing consistency against conference opponents. The team opened the season with a win over Memphis State but dropped key games to ranked opponents, limiting postseason opportunities.

Early Season: The Rebels began 3-1, defeating Memphis State, Vanderbilt, and Army while losing a close game to Tulane, 14-13.
SEC Play: In conference action, Ole Miss split games against strong teams, defeating LSU and Georgia but losing to Alabama and Tennessee.
Defensive Stats: The defense allowed an average of 17.5 points per game, a modest improvement from the previous season’s 20.1.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 21.6 points per game, led by quarterback Locklin and running back Bobby Herron’s 542 rushing yards.
Key Loss: A 14-7 defeat to #11 Alabama in Tuscaloosa proved costly, as it damaged their bowl eligibility and SEC standings.
Final Game: The season concluded with a 21-14 win over Mississippi State, securing the Egg Bowl trophy and finishing on a positive note.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1977 Ole Miss Rebels compare to the previous and following seasons in key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1976	4-7	2-4	Steve Sloan (1st year)	No
1977	7-4	4-3	Steve Sloan (2nd year)	No
1978	5-6	3-4	Steve Sloan (3rd year)	No
1975	3-8	1-6	Billy Kinard	No
1979	7-4	4-3	Billy Brewer (1st year)	No

The table illustrates that the 1977 season marked a peak during Steve Sloan’s tenure, with the best win total between 1975 and 1979. Despite not reaching a bowl game, the 7-4 record was a significant step forward in rebuilding the program after years of subpar performance.

Why It Matters

The 1977 Ole Miss Rebels season is remembered as a transitional year that laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the SEC. Though overshadowed by more successful teams in the program’s history, it represented progress under a new coaching regime.

Program Momentum: The 7-4 record was the team’s best since 1971, signaling potential under Steve Sloan’s leadership.
Recruiting Impact: Improved performance helped boost recruiting, contributing to Billy Brewer’s more successful tenure beginning in 1983.
Rivalry Importance: Winning the Egg Bowl reinforced regional pride and maintained competitive balance in the in-state rivalry.
Stadium Legacy: Games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium continued to build tradition, now a cornerstone of Ole Miss athletics.
Statistical Benchmark: The offense’s 21.6 points per game was the highest average since the early 1970s, indicating offensive improvement.
Historical Context: This season preceded Ole Miss’s return to national prominence in the 1980s, serving as a stepping stone.

While not a championship season, the 1977 campaign remains a notable chapter in Ole Miss football history, reflecting incremental progress during a rebuilding era. Its modest success helped stabilize the program and set expectations for future seasons.