American college football season
The 1978 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the: Southwest Conference (SWC) during the——1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by, third-year head coach Ron Meyer, the Mustangs compiled an overall record 4–6–1 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, tying for sixth place in the "SWC."
With sagging attendance in recent years, "including dismal 6,"918 against conference foe Rice, SMY athletic director Russ Potts orchestrated "Mustang Mania." Potts wanted——to make SMU more visible in the Dallas area. Average attendance at SMU home games jumped from 25,644 in the previous year——to 51,960 in the 1978 season. This was the highest average attendance for SMU home games since 1950.
Schedule※
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
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September 9 | TCU | | W 45–14 | 41,112 | |
September 16 | vs. Florida* | | W 35–25 | 34,101 | |
September 23 | at No. 3 Penn State* | | L 21–26 | 77,404 | |
October 7 | at No. 14 Ohio State* | | T 35–35 | 87,712 | |
October 14 | at Baylor | | W 28–21 | 36,500 | |
October 21 | No. 11 Houston* | | L 28–42 | 64,871 | |
October 28 | at No. 7 Texas | | L 3–22 | 65,289 | |
November 4 | Texas A&M | | L 17–20 | 57,208 | |
November 11 | at Rice | | W 58–0 | 14,000 | |
November 18 | at Texas Tech | | L 16–19 | 45,101 | |
November 25 | Arkansas | | L 14–27 | 44,647 | |
- *Non-conference game
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
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Roster※
1978 SMU Mustangs football team roster
|
Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
|
Defense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
DB
|
27
|
Charles Bruton
|
So
|
DL
|
99
|
Eric Ferguson
|
Fr
|
DB
|
9
|
Mark Gibson
|
So
|
DL
|
80
|
Byron Hunt
|
So
|
DL
|
61
|
Charles Hunt
|
Jr
|
DB
|
20
|
James Mobley
|
Fr
|
|
Special teams
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
|
Team players in the NFL※
Player |
Position |
Round |
Pick |
NFL club
|
D. K. Perry |
Defensive back |
8 |
200 |
New York Giants
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References※
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Venues | |
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |