In its sixth season under head coach Dave McClain, the team compiled an 8–3 record (4–1 against conference opponents) and won the school's first MAC championship.
[1][2] The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.
[3] Running back Earl Taylor set the school's single-game record with 260 rushing yards against Eastern Michigan.
[6] Yaroch received the John Magnabosco Award as the team's most valuable player.
[7] Five players received first-team honors on the 1976 All-MAC team: quarterback Art Yaroch; offensive guard Mitch Hoban; split end Rick Morrison; defensive back Maurice Harvey; and punter Mark O'Connell.