What Is 1979 Bowling Green Falcons football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1979 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State University during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7-4 record under head coach Denny Stolz. They played their home games at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, and were members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Key Facts

The 1979 Bowling Green Falcons finished the season with a 7-4 overall record.
Head coach Denny Stolz led the team during his fourth season at the helm.
The Falcons played their home games at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.
They were part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and had a 4-4 conference record.
Quarterback Brian McClure was a key player, throwing for over 1,800 yards that season.

Overview

The 1979 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State University in the NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Falcons posted a solid 7-4 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Denny Stolz, who was in his fourth year at the school, the team showed improvement over previous seasons. The Falcons played their home games at Doyt L. Perry Stadium, a 24,000-seat venue in Bowling Green, Ohio, known for its strong fan support and college football tradition.

Season Record: The Falcons finished the 1979 season with a 7-4 overall record, marking a positive step forward under head coach Denny Stolz.
Conference Play: In the Mid-American Conference, they posted a 4-4 record, placing them in the middle of the MAC standings.
Head Coach: Denny Stolz, who served as head coach from 1976 to 1980, led the team with a focus on rebuilding the program after several losing seasons.
Key Player: Quarterback Brian McClure emerged as a standout, throwing for 1,812 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season.
Home Stadium: The Falcons played at Doyt L. Perry Stadium, which has been their home field since 1966 and hosted all their home games in 1979.

Key Players and Season Highlights

The 1979 season featured several notable performances from players who helped define the Falcons' campaign. While the team did not qualify for a bowl game, their on-field improvements were evident in close contests and offensive development.

Quarterback Leadership: Brian McClure started all 11 games, completing 156 of 284 passes for a 54.9% completion rate and averaging 164.7 passing yards per game.
Top Receiver: Wide receiver Ron Blackledge caught 37 passes for 530 yards and four touchdowns, becoming McClure’s most reliable target.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Randy Walker recorded multiple tackles for loss and was a key force in the middle of the defense.
Season-High Game: The Falcons defeated Kent State 34-14 in November, one of their most dominant performances of the year.
Close Losses: They lost three games by a combined 10 points, including a 17-16 defeat to Toledo, highlighting their narrow margins for improvement.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1979 Falcons to their 1978 and 1980 seasons to illustrate trends in performance, coaching, and team development:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1978	4-7	3-5	Denny Stolz	No
1979	7-4	4-4	Denny Stolz	No
1980	6-5	5-4	Denny Stolz	No
1977	2-9	2-6	Denny Stolz	No
1976	3-8	3-5	Denny Stolz	No

The 1979 season represented a peak in Denny Stolz’s tenure, as the 7-4 record was the best of his five-year coaching stint. Despite not earning a bowl berth, the improvement from a 4-7 record in 1978 demonstrated progress. The team’s offensive production increased, and player development, especially at quarterback, laid the foundation for future seasons. However, inconsistency in close games and a lack of postseason eligibility kept the Falcons from breaking through to national prominence.

Why It Matters

The 1979 season holds historical significance for Bowling Green football as a transitional year that showed promise and rebuilding momentum. Though not a championship season, it marked one of the better performances in a challenging era for the program.

Program Momentum: The 7-4 record was the best since 1972, signaling that Denny Stolz’s rebuilding efforts were gaining traction.
Player Development: Quarterback Brian McClure’s emergence foreshadowed future offensive potential in subsequent seasons.
Conference Competitiveness: A 4-4 MAC record demonstrated the Falcons could compete with regional rivals like Toledo and Miami (OH).
Stadium Culture: Games at Doyt L. Perry Stadium continued to build a loyal fan base despite modest national exposure.
Coaching Legacy: Though Stolz was eventually replaced in 1981, the 1979 season remains a high point of his tenure.
Historical Context: The season laid groundwork for future successes, including the 1985 MAC Championship under head coach Dennis Fitzgerald.

The 1979 Bowling Green Falcons may not be remembered for trophies or national rankings, but they played a crucial role in stabilizing the football program during a rebuilding phase. Their modest success helped maintain fan interest and set the stage for future improvements in the 1980s.