The 1979 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware as an independent during the 1979 NCAA Division II football season. In their 14th year under head coach Tubby Raymond, the Blue Hens compiled a 13âÂÂ1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 546 to 228, and defeated , 38âÂÂ21, in the Zia Bowl to win the Division II national championship. The team also received the Lambert Cup as the best Division II team in the east.
The Blue Hens were led by a high-scoring offense that averaged 39 points per games. They defeated , 65âÂÂ0, setting a school record with eight rushing touchdowns. It was at the time the second-highest margin of victory in school history, trailing a 93âÂÂ0 victory over William & Mary in 1915.
Quarterback Scott Brunner tied the school record with 24 passing touchdowns. After the season, Brunner received first-team Division II Kodak All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He was also named the All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II Player of the Year. Other key players included:
The team played its home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware, and led Division II football in attendance, with 19,644 attendees per regular season home game.
After the season, senior quarterback Scott Brunner earned American Football Coaches Association first-team All-America honors, Associated Press (AP) second-team All-America honors, All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year honors, and first-team All-ECAC honors. Guard Herb Beck earned AP first-team All-America honors. Fullback Bo Dennis, tight end Jaime Young, center Mike Donnalley, linebacker Mike Wisniewski, cornerback Vince Hyland, and safety Guy Ramsey earned AP honorable mention All-America honors. Dennis, Young, Beck, Donnalley, Wisniewski, Hyland, Ramsey, and kicker Brandt Kennedy earned first-team All-East (ECAC) honors.