In their first season under head coach DeWitt Jones, the Wildcats compiled an 11–1–1 record (5–1–1 against conference opponents) and tied for the LSC championship.
They advanced to the NAIA playoff, defeating Wisconsin–Stevens Point (35–7) in the seminfinals and Southwestern Oklahoma State (24–7) in the Champion Bowl to win the 1977 NAIA Division I football national championship.
Quarterback John Mayes and four defensive players were chosen for the second team.
[3] Other key players included Kelly Kent who rushed for over 1,000 yards.
The team played its home games at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas.