The 1979 NAIA Division I football season was the 24th season of college football sponsored by the NAIA, was the 10th season of play of the NAIA's top division for football.
The season was played from August to November 1979 and culminated in the 1979 NAIA Division I Football National Championship. Known again this year as the Palm Bowl, the title game was played on December 15, 1979, at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen, Texas.
The Texas A&I Javelinas defeated the Central State Bronchos in the Palm Bowl, 20–14, to win their sixth NAIA national title.
Conference realignment Membership changes Team 1978 conference 1979 conference Eastern Washington Evergreen (NAIA) Independent (NCAA Division II)
Conference standings
Conference champions Conference Champion Record Arkansas Arkansas–Monticello 5–1Central StatesKearney StatePittsburg State6–1EvergreenOregon College5–0 Great Lakes Saginaw Valley State 4–0–1 Lone Star Texas A&I 6–1NICMinnesota–DuluthMoorhead State (MN)7–1OklahomaEast Central State4–0RMACWestern State (CO)7–1South AtlanticPresbyterian7–0WVIACNorth: Fairmont and West Liberty StateSouth: West Virginia State6–2–16–3Wisconsin StateWisconsin–River Falls7–1
Postseason
See also 1979 NAIA Division II football season 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season 1979 NCAA Division II football season 1979 NCAA Division III football season
References