What Is 1979 Ohio Bobcats football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1979 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 4–7 record under head coach Dick Sieverding. They played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio, and were outscored 237 to 197 overall.

Key Facts

The 1979 Ohio Bobcats finished with a 4–7 overall record
Head coach Dick Sieverding led the team in his second season
They played home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio
The Bobcats were outscored 237 to 197 over 11 games
They competed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC)

Overview

The 1979 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University in the NCAA Division I-A football season, marking the second year under head coach Dick Sieverding. Competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the team faced a challenging schedule that included both conference and non-conference opponents.

Despite flashes of offensive potential, the Bobcats struggled with consistency on both sides of the ball, ultimately finishing with a losing record. Their season reflected a transitional period for the program as they sought to build momentum in a competitive conference.

Record: The team finished with a 4–7 overall record, including a 3–5 mark in MAC play, which placed them near the bottom of the conference standings.
Head Coach: Dick Sieverding, in his second season, led the program but was unable to secure a winning season, facing challenges in player development and game strategy.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Peden Stadium, a historic venue in Athens, Ohio, with a capacity of approximately 25,000 at the time.
Scoring: The Bobcats were outscored 237 to 197 over the course of the season, indicating defensive struggles and inconsistent offensive production.
Season Opener: The team opened the season with a loss to the University of Cincinnati, setting a tone of difficulty against stronger regional opponents.

Season Performance

The 1979 campaign was marked by narrow losses and missed opportunities, with several games decided by one possession. The offense showed moments of promise but lacked the depth and execution needed to sustain drives consistently.

Offensive Output: The team averaged 17.9 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the MAC in scoring offense, with limited big-play ability.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 21.5 points per game, often collapsing in the second half, particularly against stronger conference rivals.
Key Victory: A 24–14 win over Bowling Green stood out as a highlight, demonstrating the team’s ability to execute under pressure.
Rivalry Game: The annual matchup with Miami (OH) ended in a 17–7 loss, continuing a streak of challenges in the Battle of the Bricks rivalry.
Non-Conference Play: The Bobcats went 1–3 against non-MAC opponents, including losses to Cincinnati and Kent State, both of which were regional rivals.
Home Record: Ohio managed a 3–2 record at Peden Stadium, showing better performance in front of their home crowd compared to road struggles.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1979 season can be better understood by comparing it to surrounding years in the program’s history:

Season	Record (Overall)	Record (MAC)	Head Coach	Key Stat
1977	6–5	4–4	Bob Huggins	First winning season since 1971
1978	5–6	4–4	Dick Sieverding	Debut season for new head coach
1979	4–7	3–5	Dick Sieverding	Outscored by 40 points overall
1980	3–8	2–6	Dick Sieverding	Final season under coach
1981	2–9	1–7	Bob Xue	Program at lowest point in decade

This table illustrates a downward trend in performance from 1977 to 1981, with the 1979 season serving as a midpoint in a period of struggle. While not the worst record, it reflected ongoing challenges in coaching stability and player development.

Why It Matters

Though not a standout season in terms of wins, the 1979 Ohio Bobcats football team is a part of the program’s broader narrative of perseverance and rebuilding. It highlights the difficulties of sustaining success in a competitive conference and the impact of coaching transitions.

Historical Context: The season occurred during a 10-year stretch without a bowl appearance, underscoring the program’s challenges in the late 1970s.
Coaching Legacy: Dick Sieverding’s tenure ended after 1980, making 1979 a key year in evaluating his short-term impact.
Player Development: Several players from this era laid groundwork for future recruiting classes, despite limited on-field success.
Conference Competition: The MAC was growing in strength, with teams like Central Michigan and Toledo rising, increasing pressure on Ohio.
Fan Engagement: Attendance at Peden Stadium remained steady, showing continued community support despite losing records.
Program Evolution: The struggles of 1979 contributed to eventual changes in leadership and strategy that led to modest improvements by the mid-1980s.

The 1979 season, while forgettable in the win column, remains a case study in the resilience required in collegiate athletics, especially for mid-major programs striving for relevance.