1979 Memphis State Tigers football team American college football season
The 1979 Memphis State Tigers football team represented Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis ) as an independent during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season . In its fifth season under head coach Richard Williamson , the team compiled a 5–6 record and was outscored by a total of 223 to 166.[ 1] [ 2] The team played its home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee .
The team's statistical leaders included Kevin Betts with 884 passing yards, Leo Cage with 599 rushing yards, Tony Hunt with 234 receiving yards, and Richard Locke with 30 points scored.[ 3]
Schedule
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 8 at Mississippi State W 14–1343,500 [ 4]
September 15 Ole Miss L 34–3853,166 [ 5]
September 22 at Wichita State W 16–1017,922 [ 6]
September 29 Texas A&M Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN L 7–1738,477 [ 7]
October 13 Northeast Louisiana Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN L 20–2125,494 [ 8]
October 20 at Southern Miss L 0–2227,286 [ 9]
October 27 North Texas State Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN W 22–0[ 10]
November 3 at Vanderbilt L 3–1328,900 [ 11]
November 10 Louisville Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN (rivalry ) W 10–617,205 [ 12]
November 17 at No. 5 Florida State L 17–6648,021 [ 13]
November 24 Cincinnati Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN (rivalry ) W 23–1714,607 [ 14]
HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
References
^ "1979 Memphis Tigers Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2020 .
^ "Memphis Football 2019 Media Guide" (PDF) . University of Memphis. p. 270. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020 .
^ "1979 Memphis Tigers Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2020 .
^ "Knowlton's TD keys Tigers past Bulldogs" . The Commercial Appeal . September 9, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Sloan recruiting pays off as frosh lead Ole Miss" . The Tennessean . September 16, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Memphis State edges WSU" . The Wichita Eagle . September 23, 1979. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "A&M in rally to trip MSU after struggle" . The Commercial Appeal . September 30, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Memphis State downed" . The Jackson Sun . October 14, 1979. p. C1. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Southern shuts out Memphis" . The Greenwood Commonwealth . October 21, 1979. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Memphis State blanks North Texas State 22–0" . The Tennessean . October 28, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Heflin passes Vanderbilt to first win" . The Courier-Journal . November 4, 1979. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Ray's steal saves Memphis State's 10–6 win over U of L" . The Courier-Journal . November 11, 1979. Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Orange Bowl-bound FSU clobbers Memphis State" . Florida Today . November 18, 1979. Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Memphis State puts end to US's misery" . The Cincinnati Enquirer . November 25, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
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