1979 Western Michigan Broncos football team
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]
| 1979 Western Michigan Broncos football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Mid-American Conference |
| 1979 record | 6–5 (5–4 MAC) |
| Head coach | Elliot Uzelac (5th season) |
| MVP | Matt Murphy |
| Captain | Tom Henry, Matt Murphy |
| Home stadium | Waldo Stadium |
| 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 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 8 | at Central Michigan | L 0–10 | |
| September 15 | at South Carolina | L 7–24 | |
| September 22 | Northern Illinois | W 45–17 | |
| September 29 | Bowling Green | L 3–15 | |
| October 6 | Kent State | L 13–18 | |
| October 13 | at Toledo | L 0–17 | |
| October 20 | Grand Valley State | W 37–0 | |
| October 27 | at Ohio | W 20–6 | |
| November 3 | Miami | W 24–3 | |
| November 10 | Ball State | W 20–10 | |
| November 17 | at Eastern Michigan | W 17–7 |
References
- "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1970 - 79". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- "1979 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- "1979 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.