What Is 1979 NC State Wolfpack football

Overview

The 1979 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the NCAA Division I-A season, marking the fourth and final year under head coach Bo Rein. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team showed moderate success with a balanced schedule of conference and non-conference matchups.

Playing their home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, the Wolfpack finished the season with a 6–5 overall record and a 3–3 mark in ACC play. Their season concluded with a victory over rival North Carolina, a highlight that provided momentum heading into the offseason.

• Bo Rein served as head coach for his fourth and final season before accepting the LSU head coaching job, finishing his NC State tenure with a 20–23 record.
• The team played 11 games during the regular season, facing six opponents from the ACC and five non-conference foes.
• Carter–Finley Stadium, with a capacity of over 50,000, hosted all home games and has been NC State's home field since 1966.
• NC State's 6–5 record included notable wins over Duke, Wake Forest, and archrival North Carolina, but losses to Clemson and Maryland.
• The season ended without a bowl appearance, as the Wolfpack did not receive an invitation despite being bowl-eligible with six wins.

Season Performance

The 1979 campaign featured a mix of strong defensive stands and inconsistent offensive execution, reflecting the transitional phase the program was entering as Rein prepared to depart.

• September 8, 1979: NC State opened the season with a 21–17 win over Southern Mississippi in Raleigh, setting a positive tone.
• October 6, 1979: A 17–10 loss to Clemson highlighted defensive struggles against top-tier ACC competition.
• October 20, 1979: The Wolfpack defeated Duke 24–14, improving to 4–2 with a balanced offensive attack.
• November 3, 1979: A 24–14 loss to Maryland derailed ACC title hopes, dropping their conference record to 2–3.
• November 17, 1979: A 17–10 win over Wake Forest showcased defensive resilience ahead of the rivalry finale.
• November 24, 1979: NC State defeated North Carolina 21–14 in Chapel Hill, securing the Governor’s Trophy and finishing the season on a high note.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1979 NC State Wolfpack with the previous and following seasons to illustrate performance trends:

This table shows that the 1979 season was one of modest improvement under Rein, matching the 1977 record but failing to earn a bowl berth. The transition to Monte Kiffin in 1980 marked a decline before a rebound in 1981, when NC State returned to postseason play.

Why It Matters

The 1979 season holds historical significance as the final chapter of the Bo Rein era, a period that laid groundwork for future rebuilding efforts despite limited on-field success.

• Bo Rein’s departure to LSU created instability, though he never coached a game there due to a tragic plane crash in December 1980.
• The 6–5 record demonstrated slight improvement over 1978, offering hope during a generally underperforming decade for the program.
• Victory over North Carolina preserved the Governor’s Trophy and maintained rivalry pride, a key motivator for players and fans.
• The season highlighted the need for offensive consistency, as NC State averaged just 19.8 points per game across 11 contests.
• Defensively, the team allowed 18.5 points per game, showing competitiveness but lacking dominance against elite opponents.
• 1979 marked the end of an era and set the stage for Monte Kiffin’s tenure, which would eventually lead to a Peach Bowl appearance in 1981.

The 1979 NC State Wolfpack may not be remembered for championships or national rankings, but it played a role in the program’s evolution during a transitional period in ACC football history.