1979 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team

Last updated

1979 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football
NCAA Division I-AA champion
Conference Ohio Valley Conference
Ranking
APNo. 1
Record11–2 (5–1 OVC)
Head coach
Home stadium Hanger Field
Seasons
←  1978
1980  →
1979 Ohio Valley Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 2 Murray State $^ 6 –0 –09 –2 –1
No. 3 Eastern Kentucky ^ 5 –1 –011 –2 –0
Morehead State 3 –2 –15 –4 –1
Western Kentucky 3 –3 –05 –5 –0
Austin Peay 2 –4 –07 –4 –0
Middle Tennessee 1 –5 –01 –9 –0
Tennessee Tech 0 –5 –11 –8 –2
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from Associated Press poll

The 1979 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. They competed as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and played their home games at Hanger Field in Richmond, Kentucky. Head coach Roy Kidd was in his 16th season leading the Colonels.

The team advanced to the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game, where they defeated Lehigh, 30–7. [1] After the championship win, Governor John Y. Brown Jr. declared the week of January 20–26, 1980, as "EKU National Football Champions Week" in the state. [2]

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 8at Kent State *
W 17–1411,045 [3]
September 15 Troy State *
W 15–015,200 [4]
September 22at East Tennessee State *No. 5
L 20–279,361 [5]
September 29 Austin Peay No. 7
  • Hanger Field
  • Richmond, KY
W 35–1012,800 [6]
October 6at Middle Tennessee No. 7
W 52–10 [7]
October 13 Cal State Fullerton *No. 7
  • Hanger Field
  • Richmond, KY
W 33–1710,100 [8]
October 20 Western Kentucky Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 3
W 8–625,300 [9]
October 27No. 8 Murray State No. 1
L 7–2416,000 [10]
November 3 Tennessee Tech No. 5
  • Hanger Field
  • Richmond, KY
W 35–0 [11]
November 10No. 2 Jackson State *No. 5
  • Hanger Field
  • Richmond, KY
W 27–21 [12]
November 17at Morehead State No. 4
W 34–79,600 [13]
December 8No. 1 Nevada *No. 3
W 33–30 2OT5,100 [14]
December 15vs. No. 4 Lehigh *No. 3
 ABC W 30–75,200 [15]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Floyd (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

George Floyd Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back for two seasons with the New York Jets in the National Football League. Growing up in Brooksville, Florida, Floyd attended Hernando High School, where he was selected for The Tampa Tribune's all-area football team in all three of his varsity years. Floyd played college football for the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Colonels, and won the 1979 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-AA football championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season</span> American college football season

The 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I-AA level, began in August 1979, and concluded with the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game on December 15, 1979, at Orlando Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Eastern Kentucky Colonels won their first I-AA championship, defeating the Lehigh Engineers by a final score of 30−7.

The 1982 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game between the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. The game was played on December 18, 1982, at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas. The culminating game of the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Eastern Kentucky, 17–14.

The 1981 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game between the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Idaho State Bengals. The game was played on December 19, 1981, at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas. The culminating game of the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Idaho State, 34–23.

The 1980 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game between the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Boise State Broncos. The game was played on December 20, 1980, at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, California. The culminating game of the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Boise State, 31–29.

The 1979 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game between the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Lehigh Engineers. The game was played on December 15, 1979, at Orlando Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The culminating game of the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Eastern Kentucky, 30–7.

The 1987 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Dave Roberts, the Hilltoppers compiled a 7–4. The team earned the school's first NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoff berth; their previous playoff appearances had been at the NCAA Division II level. Western Kentucky played their home games at L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Lights were installed prior to the season, and Western Kentucky hosted their first night game on September 19, a victory over rival Murray State. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked No. 11 in final NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll. Western Kentucky's roster included future National Football League (NFL) players Tony Brown, Malcolm Darden, James Edwards, Glenn Holt, David Smith, Steve Walsh, Harold Wright, Xavier Jordan, and Dean Tiebout. Edwards, Walsh, and Dewayne Penn were named to the AP All American team.

The 1980 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 14th-year head coach Jimmy Feix, the Hilltoppers compiled and overall record of 9–1 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, winning the OVC title. However, Western Kentucky was not selected for the NCAA Division I_AA Football Championship playoffs. Instead, the OVC's second-place finisher, Eastern Kentucky, was invited despite the fact that Western had beaten them earlier in the season. This perceived snub was a factor in Western Kentucky's decision to leave the OVC in 1982. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked fifth in final Associated Press poll.

The 1984 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1984 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Boots Donnelly, Middle Tennessee compiled an overall record of 11–3 with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, and finished second in the OVC. The Blue Raiders advances to the NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal and lost to Louisiana Tech.

The 1982 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team was an American football team that represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their 19th season under head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled a perfect 13–0 record and defeated Delaware in the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game.

The 1979 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University during the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by second-year head coach Mike Gottfried, the Racers compiled an overall record of 9–2–1 with a mark of 6–0 on conference play, winning the OVC title. Murray State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where they lost to Lehigh in the semifinals.

The 1980 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 10–3, with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, and finished tied for second in the OVC. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game and were defeated by Boise State.

The 1981 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 18th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 12–2, with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, and finished as OVC champion. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game and were defeated by Idaho State.

The 1983 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 20th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 7–3–1, with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, and finished as OVC champion. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA First Round and were defeated by Boston University.

The 1986 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 23rd-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 10–3–1 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, sharing the OVC title with Murray State. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Championship playoffs, where Colonels defeated Furman in the first round and Eastern Illinois in the quarterfinals before losing to Arkansas State in the semifinals.

The 1988 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1988 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 25th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 11–3, with a mark of 6–0 in conference play, and finished as OVC champion. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal and were defeated by Georgia Southern.

The 1990 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1990 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 27th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 10–2, with a mark of 5–1 in conference play, and finished as OVC co-champion. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA First Round and were defeated by Furman.

The 1991 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1991 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 28th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 12–2, with a mark of 7–0 in conference play, and finished as OVC champion. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal and were defeated by Marshall in the semifinals.

The 1992 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1992 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 29th-year head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 9–3, with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, and finished second in the OVC. Eastern Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA First Round and were defeated by Marshall.

The 1979 Morehead State Eagles football team represented Morehead State University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Tom Lichtenberg, the Eagles compiled an overall record of 5–4–1, with a mark of 3–2–1 in conference play, and finished third in the OVC.

References

  1. ↑ "Lehigh Routed By 30‐7". The New York Times . Associated Press. December 16, 1979. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  2. ↑ "1979 Football Team Team of Distinction". ekusports.com.
  3. ↑ "Kent victim of mistakes". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 9, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Eastern blanks Troy 15 to 0". The Advocate-Messenger. September 16, 1979. Retrieved November 11, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "E. Tennessee relies on defense and Hutsell to conquer Eastern". The Courier-Journal. September 23, 1979. Retrieved January 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Eastern Kentucky routs Austin Peay". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. September 30, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Injuries don't hurt Eastern's offense". Lexington Herald-Leader. October 7, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Eastern Kentucky Rips Fullerton, 33-7". The Los Angeles Times. October 14, 1979. p. III-22. Retrieved February 10, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. ↑ "Eastern hangs on to edge Western by 8–6". The Kentucky Advocate. October 21, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Murray blocks out No. 1 Eastern 24–7". The Courier-Journal. October 28, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Eastern tops Tenn. Tech". The Courier-Journal. November 4, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Eastern wins 27–21 to retain its hopes for playoff berth". The Courier-Journal. November 11, 1979. Retrieved August 1, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Eastern gets record 9-victory season, but getting playoff bid may be harder". Lexington Herald-Leader. November 18, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Flores' overtime kick helps Eastern nip Reno". The Courier-Journal. December 9, 1979. Retrieved September 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Larimer, Terry (December 16, 1979). "Lehigh Routed, 30-7, in Title Game". Sunday Call-Chronicle . Allentown, Pa. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.


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