What Is 1978 Oklahoma State Cowboys football

Overview

The 1978 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Big Eight Conference, the team was led by second-year head coach Jimmy Johnson, who was building a foundation for future success.

The Cowboys posted a solid 7–4 overall record and earned a berth in a postseason bowl game, a notable achievement during a transitional era for the program. Their season showcased emerging talent and set the stage for deeper conference contention in the early 1980s.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 7–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in Big Eight Conference play.
• Head Coach:Jimmy Johnson, in his second year, led the Cowboys with an aggressive defensive philosophy and emphasis on discipline.
• Bowl Appearance: Oklahoma State played in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl on December 31, 1978, marking a significant milestone for the program.
• Bowl Result: They lost a close game to Baylor, 27–24, in Houston, Texas, failing to secure a winning season in the postseason.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at Lewis Field (now Boone Pickens Stadium) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a capacity of approximately 45,000.

Season Performance

The 1978 campaign featured a mix of competitive conference matchups and strong non-conference showings. Oklahoma State demonstrated improvement on both offense and defense compared to the previous year.

• Offensive Output: The Cowboys averaged 23.5 points per game, led by quarterback Tom Mason and a balanced rushing attack.
• Defensive Strength: They allowed 19.8 points per game, showing marked improvement under Johnson’s defensive schemes.
• Key Victory: A 27–14 win over Oklahoma in the Bedlam Series was the highlight of the regular season, a rare achievement at the time.
• Notable Loss: The team fell to Nebraska, 27–24, in a tight Big Eight contest that remained undecided until the final minutes.
• Player Development: Running back Thurman Thomas was not yet on the team, but the foundation for future stars was being laid through recruiting and coaching stability.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1978 season compares to other recent years in Oklahoma State football history:

The 1978 season was a pivotal step forward, as it marked the second consecutive year of improvement under Jimmy Johnson and the program’s first bowl appearance since 1976. This momentum carried into the 1979 and 1980 seasons, where the Cowboys achieved greater national recognition.

Why It Matters

The 1978 season was a turning point for Oklahoma State football, signaling the beginning of a more competitive era under Jimmy Johnson. It helped restore credibility to a program that had struggled in the mid-1970s.

• Bowl Eligibility: Achieving a 7–4 record and bowl berth demonstrated that OSU could compete consistently at the Division I-A level.
• Coaching Impact: Jimmy Johnson’s leadership began to reshape the culture, emphasizing discipline and preparation that would lead to future success.
• Recruiting Boost: Success on the field improved recruiting, helping attract players who would contribute to 1980s bowl runs.
• Bedlam Significance: The win over Oklahoma was a major morale boost for fans and alumni, breaking a streak of dominance by the Sooners.
• Program Trajectory: The 1978 season laid the foundation for three straight winning seasons from 1978 to 1980.
• Historical Context: This season is remembered as the start of a resurgence that eventually led to Oklahoma State becoming a regular bowl contender.

Overall, the 1978 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team played a crucial role in revitalizing the program and setting the stage for greater achievements in the following decade.