1980 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1980 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football Ohio Valley Conference OVC 5 9–1 6–1 Jimmy Feix 13th Bryan Gray Ricky Gwinn Pete Walters Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium OVC champion The 1980 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 14th-year head coach Jimmy Feix, the Hilltoppers compiled and overall record of 9–1 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, winning the OVC title. However, Western Kentucky was not selected for the NCAA Division I_AA Football Championship playoffs. Instead, the OVC's second-place finisher, Eastern Kentucky, was invited despite the fact that Western had beaten them earlier in the season. This perceived snub was a factor in Western Kentucky's decision to leave the OVC in 1982.1982 WKU Football Media Guide retrieved April 8, 2020. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked fifth in final Associated Press poll.Final Division I-AA poll Clarion-Ledger Jackson, Mississippi November 24, 1987 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11021220/poll_1987_1124_i_aa_final/ Newspapers.com May 15, 2017 The team's captains were Bryan Gray, Ricky Gwinn, and Pete Walters. WKU Football 2021 Media Guide https://wkusports.com/documents/2021/8/2/2021_Media_Guide.pdf Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, Kentucky 179 December 11, 2021 Western Kentucky's roster included future National Football League (NFL) players Pete Walters, Davlin Mullen, John Newby, Phil Rich, Troy Snardon, Brad Todd, Donnie Evans, Ray Farmer, Ronnie Fishback, Tom Fox, Paul Gray, Ricky Gwinn, Ron Hunter, Lamont Meacham, and Mike Miller. Walters and Tim Ford were named to All-American teams and Feix was named OVC Coach of the Year for the third time. The All-Conference Team included Barry Bumm, Evans, Farmer, Jerry Flippin, Gwinn, Lamont Meacham, Rich, Snardon, and Walters.2017 OVC Football Media Guide, retrieved 30 April 2020 Schedule 1980 NCAA Division I-AA Associated Press September 6 w y 1980 Evansville Purple Aces Evansville L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 40–18 13,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-hilltopper/157964810/ Evansville Courier and Press Hilltopper's offense crushes UE in opener September 7, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 w y y 1980 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State Alumni Field Frankfort, KY 30–8 5,393 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-hilltoppers-stop-thoro/157964903/ The State Journal Hilltoppers stop Thorobreds, 30–8 September 14, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 w y Akron Rubber Bowl Akron, OH 8–2 23,506 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-snardons-late-touch/157965001/ The Courier-Journal Snardon's late touchdown lifts Western to 8–2 win September 21, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 w 8 Austin Peay L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 20–14 15,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-hall-gets-real-relief/157965106/ Messenger-Inquirer Hall gets real relief from WKU win September 28, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 w y 5 1980 Youngstown State Penguins Youngstown State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 42–17 12,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-w-kentucky-runs-over/157965190/ Dayton Daily News W. Kentucky runs over Youngstown St. October 12, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 w y 4 Tennessee Tech Tucker Stadium Cookeville, TN 28–17 11,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-ttu-loses-ho/157965295/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel TTU loses homecoming October 19, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 w 4 Eastern Kentucky 5 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY rivalry 13–10 19,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paducah-sun-griffiths-boots-winning/143925366/ The Paducah Sun Griffiths boots winning kick as Western edges Eastern Ky. October 26, 1980 March 22, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 w 4 Morehead State Jayne Stadium Morehead, KY 17–7 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-wku-snardon-snare-morehe/157965412/ The Tennessean WKU, Snardon snare Morehead 17–7 November 2, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 w 3 y Middle Tennessee L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY rivalry 30–15 20,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-western-captures-ovc/157965484/ The Courier-Journal Western captures OVC title November 9, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 l y 2 Murray State 10 Roy Stewart Stadium Murray, KY rivalry 0–49 15,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-park-city-daily-news-murray-runs-top/157965648/ The Park City Daily News Murray runs Tops, mascot ragged November 23, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com References Western Kentucky Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football seasons Category:Ohio Valley Conference football champion seasons {Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football