1979 record 10–1 (7–0 Big Sky) Home stadium Bronco Stadium | ||
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Defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich (1st year) | ||
The 1979 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Broncos competed in the Big Sky Conference and played their home games on campus at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. They were led by fourth-year head coach Jim Criner and an offensive backfield of juniors: quarterback Joe Aliotti, fullback David Hughes, halfback Cedric Minter, with halfback Terry Zahner in reserve.
The Broncos were 10–1 and undefeated in the Big Sky, but were on probation for a scouting violation in November 1978 and were ineligible for the league title or I-AA playoffs in 1979.
After an opening two-point loss at home, BSU won ten straight; the league opener in late September set a Big Sky attendance record at 20,712. A 14–0 shutout win for BSU, it was the only blemish for Montana State (6–1) in conference play, but three non-conference losses kept them out of the four-team I-AA playoffs; the western postseason bid went again to Nevada-Reno (8–3), who finished their first season in the Big Sky at 5–2.
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