1979 Western Michigan Broncos football team

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1979 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record6–5 (5–4 MAC)
Head coach
MVPMatt Murphy
CaptainTom Henry, Matt Murphy
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1978
1980 →
1979 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Central Michigan $ 8 0 1 10 0 1
Toledo 7 1 1 7 3 1
Western Michigan 5 4 0 6 5 0
Ball State 4 4 0 6 5 0
Ohio 4 4 0 6 5 0
Northern Illinois 3 3 1 5 5 1
Miami (OH) 3 4 0 6 5 0
Bowling Green 3 5 0 4 7 0
Eastern Michigan 1 6 1 2 8 1
Kent State 1 8 0 1 10 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1979 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth season under head coach Elliot Uzelac, the Broncos compiled a 6–5 record (5–4 against MAC opponents), finished in third place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 186 to 120.[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[4]

The team's statistical leaders included Albert Little with 342 passing yards, Larry Caper with 844 rushing yards, and Tim Clysdale with 207 receiving yards.[5] Tight end Tom Henry and defensive tackle Matt Murphy were the team captains.[6] Murphy also received the team's most outstanding player award.[7]

Schedule[edit]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 8at Central MichiganL 0–1021,980[8]
September 15at South Carolina*L 7–2450,137[9]
September 22Northern IllinoisW 45–17
September 29Bowling Green
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 3–15
October 6Kent State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 13–18
October 13at ToledoL 0–17
October 20Grand Valley State*
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 37–0
October 27at OhioW 20–6
November 3Miami OH)
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 24–3
November 10Ball State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 20–10
November 17at Eastern MichiganW 17–7
  • *Non-conference game

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1970 - 79". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "1979 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "1979 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "CMU stops Broncos, 10-0". Detroit Free Press. September 9, 1979. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "South Carolina rallies to top Western Michigan". Winston-Salem Journal. September 16, 1979. Retrieved January 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.