1980 Elon Fightin' Christians football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1980 Elon Fightin' Christians football South Atlantic Conference SAC 13–1 6–1 Jerry Tolley 4th NAIA Division I national championSAC co-champion NAIA Division I Championship Game W 17–10 vs. 1980 Northeastern State Redmen Northeastern State The 1980 Elon Fightin' Christians football team was an American football team that represented Elon University of Elon, North Carolina, as a member of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) during the 1980 NAIA Division I football season. In their fourth year under head coach Jerry Tolley, the Christians compiled a 13–1 record (6–1 against SAC opponents) and tied for the SAC championship.Elon Year-by-Year vs. Opponents Elon University December 16, 2021 https://elonphoenix.com/sports/2020/1/28/elon-football-year-by-year-results.aspx#1980 The team lost the second game of the season at 1980 Mars Hill Lions Mars Hill, but then won the remaining 12 games of the season. The team advanced to the NAIA Division I playoffs, defeating 1980 Concord Mountain Lions Concord (17–14) in the quarterfinals, East Texas State (14–6) in the semifinals, and 1980 Northeastern State Redmen Northeastern State (17–10) in the national championship game. Running back Bobby Hedrick rushed for 1,394 yards in the regular seasonHedrick's Accomplishments Sound Like Broken Records The Charlotte Observer David Scott November 28, 1980 7B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90745504/hedrick/ Newspapers.com – 1,793 yards with three post-season games included. He set Elon's all-time rushing record with 5,603 rushing yards in four years.The Elon Powerhouse The Charlotte Observer David Scott December 21, 1980 9D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90745752/the-elon-powerhouse/ Newspapers.com He was also a first-team pick on the 1980 Little All-America college football team. Tight end Joey Hackett went on to play in the NFL.Joey Hackett Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com December 16, 2021 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HackJo21.htm John Bangley was the quarterback.Bangley Trying To March Elon To NAIA Crown Daily Press Tom Knott December 19, 1980 33 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90746040/bangley/ Newspapers.com Schedule y y September 6 at 1980 Winston-Salem State Rams Winston-Salem State<ncg> Winston-Salem, NC W 27-22 September 13 at 1980 Mars Hill Lions Mars Hill Mars Hill, NC L 11-23 September 20 1980 Delta State Statesmen Delta State Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 24-21 September 27 at 1980 North Carolina Central Eagles North Carolina Central<ncg> Durham, NC W 23-14 October 11 1980 Norfolk State Spartans Norfolk State<ncg> Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 65-26 October 18 1980 Presbyterian Blue Hose Presbyterian Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 28-26 October 25 at 1980 Catawba Indians Catawba Salisbury, NC W 14-10 November 1 at 1980 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Gardner–Webb Boiling Springs, NC W 37-3 2,000 November 8 1980 Newberry Indians Newberry Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 31-0 November 15 at 1980 Lenoir–Rhyne Bears Lenoir–Rhyne Hickory, NC W 27-12 November 22 1980 Carson–Newman Eagles Carson–Newman Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 38-12 December 6 at 1980 Concord Mountain Lions Concord<ncg> Bluefield, WV W 17-14 4,000 Hedrick's Score Helps Elon Slip By Concord The Charlotte Observer December 7, 1980 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90746882/hedricks-score-helps-elon-slip-by/ Newspapers.com December 13 at East Texas State<ncg> Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX W 14-6 2,578 Defensive Effort Keys Elon Victory The Charlotte Observer December 14, 1980 3B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90746685/defensive-effort-keys-elon-victory/ Newspapers.com December 20 1980 Northeastern State Redmen Northeastern State<ncg> Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 17-10 6,128 Tootoo Helps Crown Elon NAIA Champ The Charlotte Observer David Scott December 21, 1980 1D, 9D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90747111/tootoo-helps-elon-get-naia-crown/ Newspapers.com References External links Elon University film on the 1980-81 seasons Elon Category:Elon Phoenix football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Elon Fightin' Christians football Category:South Atlantic Conference football champion seasons