1978 NAIA Division I football season

The 1978 NAIA Division I football season was the 23rd season of college football sponsored by the NAIA, was the ninth season of play of the NAIA's top division for football.

The season was played from August to November 1978 and culminated in the 1978 NAIA Division I Football National Championship. Known this year as the Palm Bowl, the title game was played on December 16, 1978 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen, Texas.

Angelo State defeated Elon in the Palm Bowl, 24–14, to win their first NAIA national title.

Conference changes

• This is the final season that the NAIA officially recognizes a football champion from two conferences, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The SWAC has since become an NCAA Division I FCS conference while the PSAC competes at the Division II level; both continue to sponsor football.

Conference standings

Conference champions

Postseason

See also

• 1978 NAIA Division II football season
• 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season
• 1978 NCAA Division I-AA football season
• 1978 NCAA Division II football season
• 1978 NCAA Division III football season

References

1. 1978 NCAA Division I-AA football season
2. 1978 NAIA Division II football season
3. 1978 NCAA Division II football season
4. 1978 NCAA Division III football season
5. NAIA football national championship
6. 1980 NAIA Division I football season
7. 1982 NAIA Division I football season
8. 2024 NAIA football season
9. 1971 NAIA Division I football season
10. 1979 NAIA Division I football season
11. 1970 NAIA Division I football season
12. 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season
13. 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season
14. 1978 college football season
15. 2019 NAIA football season
16. 1982 NAIA Division II football season
17. 1968 NAIA football season
18. 1976 NAIA Division I football season
19. 1995 NAIA Division I football season
20. 1988 NAIA Division I football season