Tarleton State University Athletics

The 1978 Tarleton Texans were the first undefeated football team in Tarleton’s senior college history, finishing with an 8-0-1 record. Led by Head Coach Buddy Fornes, assistant coaches Ronnie Giles and Joe Gillespie and graduate assistants Lonnie McMillan, Johnny Gann, Glenn Elliott, and David Crume, the Texans repeated as Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) Conference Champions with a 3-0-1 record. The 1978 squad was the first team in Tarleton’s senior college history to make the NAIA national playoffs. Known for its dominating defense, the 1978 Texans still hold school records for the fewest total yards allowed (978), fewest points allowed per game (4.4), fewest points allowed in a season (40), fewest rushing yards allowed in a season (158), and the fewest passing yards allowed in a season (830).  The team finished the season ranked as the #4 team in the nation in NAIA Football.