1979 Missouri Tigers football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1979
| team = Missouri Tigers
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Big Eight Conference
| short_conf = Big 8
| CoachRank = 20
| record = 7–5
| conf_record = 3–4
| head_coach = Warren Powers
| hc_year = 2nd
| off_coach =
| oc_year =
| off_scheme =
| def_coach = Carl Reese
| dc_year = 3rd
| def_scheme =
| captain =
| stadium = Memorial Stadium
| bowl = Hall of Fame Classic
| bowl_result = W 24–14 vs. South Carolina
}}
{{1979 Big Eight Conference football standings}}
The 1979 Missouri Tigers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Missouri in the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team compiled a 7–5 record (3–4 against Big 8 opponents), finished in fourth place in the Big 8, and was outscored by opponents by a combined total of 260 to 166. Warren Powers was the head coach for the second of seven seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/missouri/1979-schedule.html|title=1979 Missouri Tigers Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=November 12, 2016}}{{cite web|title=2016 Mizzou Football Media Guide|publisher=University of Missouri|page=158|access-date=November 12, 2016|url=http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/mutigers.com/documents/2016/7/13/16_fb_media_guide.pdf|archive-date=November 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235532/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/mutigers.com/documents/2016/7/13/16_fb_media_guide.pdf|url-status=dead}} The team played its home games at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.
The team's statistical leaders included James Wilder with 645 rushing yards, Phil Bradley with 1,448 passing yards and 1,764 yards of total offense, Andy Gibler with 316 receiving yards, and Gerry Ellis with 54 points scored.{{cite web|title=2014 Mizzou Football Records Book|publisher=University of Missouri|pages=26–27|access-date=November 12, 2016|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/miss/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/14-records-book.pdf|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928041623/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/miss/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/14-records-book.pdf|url-status=dead}}
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 1979
| poll = AP
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 8
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 12
| opponent = San Diego State
| site_stadium = Faurot Field
| site_cityst = Columbia, MO
| score = 45–15
| attend = 62,168
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 15
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| rank = 11
| opponent = Illinois
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Champaign, IL
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 14–6
| attend = 49,049
| source = {{cite news |last=Richardson |first=Steve |title=MU Defense Saves Day At Goal Line |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120159017/the-kansas-city-star/ |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |date=September 16, 1979 |page=1S |access-date=March 4, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Richardson |first=Steve |title=Running of Ellis Puts Tigers in Gear (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120158963/the-kansas-city-star/ |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |date=September 16, 1979 |page=9S |access-date=March 4, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 22
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| rank = 9
| opponent = Ole Miss
| site_stadium = Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Jackson, MS
| score = 33–7
| attend = 46,000
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-mizzou-defeats-o/134357577/|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|title=Mizzou defeats Ole Miss, 33–7|date=September 23, 1979|accessdate=October 30, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 29
| time =
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| rank = 5
| opponent = Texas
| opprank = 4
| site_stadium = Faurot Field
| site_cityst = Columbia, MO
| score = 0–21
| attend = 75,136
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-no-5-mizzou-draws/157780358/|work=The Spokesman-Review|title=No. 5 Mizzou draws blanks against Texas|date=September 30, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 13
| time =
| w/l = l
| rank = 15
| opponent = Oklahoma State
| site_stadium = Faurot Field
| site_cityst = Columbia, MO
| score = 13–14
| attend = 66,003
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-missouri-falls/157942869/|work=Wisconsin State Journal|title=Missouri falls, 14–13|date=October 14, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 20
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Colorado
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| score = 13–7
| attend = 51,123
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-defense-giv/157942322/|work=Springfield News-Leader|title=Defense gives Missouri triumph|date=October 21, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 27
| time =
| w/l = l
| opponent = Kansas State
| site_stadium = Faurot Field
| site_cityst = Columbia, MO
| score = 3–19
| attend = 70,029
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-kansas-state-defe/157938984/|work=The Sioux City Journal|title=Kansas State defense shackles Missouri, 19–3|date=October 28, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 3
| time =
| w/l = l
| opponent = Nebraska
| opprank = 2
| site_stadium = Faurot Field
| site_cityst = Columbia, MO
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 20–23
| attend = 74,575
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-nebraska-wins-as-m/157943015/|work=St. Joseph News-Press|title=Nebraska wins as Mizzou gamble fails|date=November 4, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 10
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Iowa State
| site_stadium = Cyclone Stadium
| site_cityst = Ames, IA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 18–9
| attend = 46,800
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-verrilli-kicks-m/157941464/|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|title=Verrilli kicks Mizzou to life, 18–9|date=November 11, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 17
| time =
| w/l = l
| opponent = Oklahoma
| opprank = 7
| site_stadium = Faurot Field
| site_cityst = Columbia, MO
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 22–24
| attend = 69,973
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-sooners-escape-missouri/157943154/|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Sooners escape Missouri|date=November 18, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 24
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Kansas
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Lawrence, KS
| gamename = Border War
| score = 55–7
| attend = 34,599
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-ku-turnovers-give-tig/157940733/|work=The Salina Journal|title=KU turnovers give Tigers easy victory|date=November 25, 1979|accessdate=October 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 29
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| opponent = South Carolina
| opprank = 16
| site_stadium = Legion Field
| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL
| gamename = Hall of Fame Classic
| score = 24–14
| attend = 62,785
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-missouri-topples-ga/139717020/|work=The Kansas City Star|title=Missouri topples Gamecocks 24–14|date=December 30, 1979|accessdate=January 27, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
}}
Personnel
{{American football roster/Header|year=1979|team=Missouri Tigers|teamcolors=y
|offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=82|class=Jr|first=Ken|last=Blair|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Jr|first=Phil|last=Bradley|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=55|class=So|first=Brad|last=Edelman|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Sr|first=Gerry|last=Ellis|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=8|class=Jr|first=Ron|last=Fellows|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=Fr|first=Andy|last=Gibler|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=Jr|first=James|last=Wilder|pos=RB|link=y|dab=James Wilder Sr.}}
|defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=Jr|first=Lester|last=Dickey|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=Fr|first=Demetrious|last=Johnson|dab=Demetrious Johnson (American football)|pos=DB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=Sr|first=Kurt|last=Peterson|dab=Kurt Petersen (American football)|pos=DE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=Jr|first=Johnnie|last=Poe|pos=CB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=18|class=Fr|first=Kevin|last=Potter|pos=SS}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Jr|first=Wendell|last=Ray|pos=DE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=So|first=Jerome|last=Sally|pos=DT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=92|class=So|first=Bennie|last=Smith|pos=DT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=96|class=Jr|first=Ray|last=Stephens|pos=DE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=Jr|first=Bill|last=Whitaker|dab=Bill Whitaker (American football)|pos=CB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Jr|first=Eric|last=Wright|dab=Eric Wright (cornerback, born 1959)|pos=FS|link=y}}
|special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=Jr|first=Jeff|last=Brockhaus|pos=K|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=1|class=|first=Ron|last=Verrilli|pos=K}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=|accessdate=
|head_coach=
|asst_coach=
- Mike Price – Quarterback/wide receiver
- Billy Thornton – Running backs
- Dick Beechner – Tight ends/special teams coordinator
- John Faiman – Offensive line
- Carl Reese – Defensive coordinator
- George Wheeler – Defensive tackles
- Zaven Yaralian – Defensive backs
- Mark Heydorff – Assistant
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Missouri Tigers football navbox}}
Category:Missouri Tigers football seasons