The 1979 San Francisco 49ers seasonNational Football League . The season is noted for being O.J. Simpson ’s final year, the first season in the NFL for Joe Montana , and the first season as an NFL head coach for Bill Walsh .
The team had the same 2-14 record as the previous year , but the focus on upgrading the roster and implementing innovative schemes boded well for the future.
The New Era Dawns [ ] Owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. cleaned house after the 1978 season, firing both head coach Fred O'Connor and General Manager Joe Thomas . In their place he hired Stanford head coach Bill Walsh , a former disciple of the legendary Paul Brown . One of Walsh's first moves was to secure an agreement with the baseball San Francisco Giants, to immediately replace the AstroTurf at Candlestick Park with natural grass, the first professional stadium to revert to grass.
Top Players [ ] Offseason [ ] NFL Draft [ ] Personnel [ ] Staff / Coaches [ ]
1979 San Francisco 49ers final staff
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
Quarterbacks – Sam Wyche
Running Backs – Billie Matthews
Receivers – Dennis Green
Offensive Line – Bobb McKittrick
Administrative Assistant/Offensive Line – Mike White
Defensive Coaches
Defensive Coordinator – Chuck Studley
Linebackers – Bill McPherson
Defensive Backs – Norb Hecker Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
Strength and Conditioning – Al Vermeil
Roster [ ] Preseason [ ] Regular season [ ] Schedule [ ]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Att.
Location
1
Sept. 2
at Minnesota
L 28-22
0-1
46,539
Metropolitan Stadium
2
Sept. 9
Dallas
L 21-13
0-2
56,728
Candlestick Park
3
Sept. 16
at Los Angeles
L 27-24
0-3
44,303
LA Coliseum
4
Sept. 23
New Orleans
L 30-21
0-4
39,727
Candlestick Park
5
Sept. 30
at San Diego
L 31-9
0-5
50,893
San Diego Stadium
6
Oct. 7
Seattle
L 35-24
0-6
44,592
Giants Stadium
7
Oct. 14
at NY Giants
L 32-16
0-7
70,352
Candlestick Park
8
Oct. 21
Atlanta
W 20-15
1-7
33,952
Candlestick Park
9
Oct. 28
Chicago
L 28-27
1-8
42,773
Candlestick Park
10
Nov. 4
at Oakland
L 23-10
1-9
52,764
Oakland Coliseum
11
Nov. 11
at New Orleans
L 31-20
1-10
65,551
Superdome
12
Nov. 18
Denver
L 38-28
1-11
42,910
Candlestick Park
13
Nov. 25
Los Angeles
L 26-20
1-12
49,282
Candlestick Park
14
Dec. 2
at St. Louis
L 13-10
1-13
41,593
Busch Memorial Stadium
15
Dec. 9
Tampa Bay
W 23-7
2-13
44,506
Candlestick Park
16
Dec. 16
at Atlanta
L 31-21
2-14
37,211
Atlanta Stadium
Game Summaries [ ] Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings [ ]
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
6
3
13
22
Vikings
0
0
14
14
28
at Metropolitan Stadium , Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 37 yard field goal, 49ers 3-0.
SF – Ray Wersching 22 yard field goal, 49ers 6-0. Third quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 44 yard field goal, 49ers 9-0.
MIN – Ahmad Rashad 52 yard pass from Tommy Kramer , (Rick Danmeier kick), 49ers 9-7.
MIN – Ahmad Rashad 32 yard pass from Tommy Kramer, (Rick Danmeier kick), Vikings 14-9. Fourth quarter
MIN – Ahmad Rashad 8 yard pass from Tommy Kramer, (Rick Danmeier kick), Vikings 21-9.
SF – Freddie Solomon 44 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Vikings 21-16.
SF – Lenvil Elliott 4 yard rush, (kick failed), 49ers 22-21.
MIN – Ahmad Rashad 25 yard pass from Tommy Kramer, (Rick Danmeier kick), Vikings 28-22. Top passers
SF – Steve DeBerg – 29/42, 262 yards, TD, 2 INTs
MIN – Tommy Kramer – 21/34, 297 yards, 4 TDs Top rushers
SF – Lenvil Elliott - 10 rushes, 41 yards, TD
MIN – Rickey Young – 6 rushes, 43 yards Top receivers
Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys [ ]
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Cowboys
3
3
7
8
21
49ers
3
7
0
3
13
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 30 yard field goal, 49ers 3-0.
DAL – Rafael Septien 23 yard field goal, Tied 3-3. Second quarter
DAL – Rafael Septien 51 yard field goal, Cowboys 6-3.
SF – O.J. Simpson 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 10-6. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 13 yard pass from Roger Staubach, (kick failed), Cowboys 19-10.
SF – Ray Wersching 44 yard field goal, Cowboys 19-13.
DAL – Safety, Harvey Martin tackled Steve DeBerg in end zone, Cowboys 21-13. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
DAL – Tony Hill - 6 receptions, 96 yards
SF – Freddie Solomon - 3 receptions, 57 yards
Week 3: at Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
LA – Charle Young 4 yard pass from Pat Haden , (Frank Corral kick), 49ers 10-7.
LA – Cullen Bryant 1 yard rush, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 14-10. Third quarter
LA – Terry Nelson 10 yard pass from Pat Haden, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 21-10. Fourth quarter
LA – Frank Corral 49 yard field goal, 49ers 24-10.
SF – Mike Schumann 5 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Rams 24-17.
LA – Frank Corral 43 yard field goal, Rams 27-17.
SF – Mike Schumann 11 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), Rams 27-24. Top passers
SF – Steve DeBerg – 15/29, 138 yards, 2 TDs
LA – Pat Haden – 17/29, 200 yards, 2 TDs INT Top rushers
SF – O.J. Simpson - 18 rushes, 73 yards
LA – Cullen Bryant – 23 rushes, 106 yards, TD Top receivers
SF – Freddie Solomon - 6 receptions, 66 yards
LA – Elvis Peacock - 3 receptions, 47 yards
Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 4: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Saints
0
13
14
3
30
49ers
7
7
0
7
21
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Tony Galbreath 1 yard rush, (kick failed), 49ers 7-6.
NO – Wes Chandler 5 yard pass from Archie Manning , (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 13-7.
SF – Freddie Solomon 25 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 14-13. Third quarter
NO – Larry Hardy 3 yard pass from Archie Manning, (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 20-14.
NO – Tony Galbreath 1 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 27-14. Fourth quarter
SF – Paul Hofer 2 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Saints 27-21.
NO – Garo Yepremian 18 yard field goal, Saints 30-21. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at San Diego Chargers [ ]
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
3
6
0
9
Chargers
0
17
0
14
31
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 32 yard field goal, 49ers 3-0.
SD – Clarence Williams 3 yard rush, (Roy Gerela kick), Chargers 7-3.
SD – Roy Gerela 26 yard field goal, Chargers 10-3.
SD – Charlie Joiner 24 yard pass from Dan Fouts , (Roy Gerela kick), Chargers 17-3. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SD – Kellen Winslow 24 yard pass from Dan Fouts, (Roy Gerela kick), Chargers 24-9.
SD – Hank Bauer 1 yard rush, (Roy Gerela kick), Chargers 31-9. Top passers
Top rushers
SF – O.J. Simpson - 16 rushes, 89 yards, TD
SD – Clarence Williams – 14 rushes, 37 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks [ ]
Week 6: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Seahawks
14
7
7
7
35
49ers
7
3
0
14
24
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
SEA – Dan Doornink 13 yard rush, (Efren Herrera kick), Seahawks 7-0.
SF – O.J. Simpson 3 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Tied 7-7.
SEA – Dan Doornink 3 yard rush, (Efren Herrera kick), Seahawks 14-7. Second quarter
SEA – Sherman Smith 7 yard rush, (Efren Herrera kick), Seahawks 21-7.
SF – Ray Wersching 25 yard field goal, Seahawks 21-10. Third quarter
SEA – Sammy Green 91 yard interception return, (Efren Herrera kick), Seahawks 28-10. Fourth quarter
SF – Lenvil Elliott 8 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Seahawks 28-17.
SEA – Jim Zorn 2 yard rush, (Efren Herrera kick), Seahawks 35-17.
SF – Ken MacAfee 1 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Seahawks 35-24. Top passers
Top rushers
SEA – Dan Doornink - 19 rushes, 58 yards, 2 TDs
SF – O.J. Simpson – 15 rushes, 71 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 7: at New York Giants [ ]
Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
3
0
7
6
16
Giants
2
27
0
3
32
at Giants Stadium , East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game information
First quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 21 yard field goal, 49ers 3-0.
NYG – Safety, Dan Melville knocked ball out of end zone. Second quarter
NYG – Phil Simms 17 yard rush, (Joe Danelo kick), Giants 9-3.
NYG – Earnest Gray 13 yard pass from Phil Simms, (Joe Danelo kick), Giants 16-3.
NYG – Doug Kotar 1 yard rush, (run failed), Giants 22-3.
NYG – Earnest Gray 11 yard pass from Phil Simms, (Joe Danelo kick), Giants 29-3. Third quarter
SF – Mike Schumann 13 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Giants 29-10. Fourth quarter
SF – Freddie Solomon 11 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (pass failed), Giants 29-16.
NYG – Joe Danelo 37 yard field goal, Giants 32-16. Top passers
Top rushers
SF – Wilbur Jackson - 10 rushes, 37 yards
NYG – Doug Kotar – 8 rushes, 48 yards, TD Top receivers
SF – Paul Hofer - 9 receptions, 104 yards
NYG – Earnest Gray - 8 receptions, 169 yards, 2 TDs
Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 8: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
9
0
6
15
49ers
7
0
7
6
20
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ATL – Tim Mazzetti 23 yard field goal, 49ers 7-3.
ATL – Alfred Jenkins 7 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski , (kick failed), Falcons 9-7. Third quarter
SF – Paul Hofer 2 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 14-9. Fourth quarter
ATL – Rolland Lawrence 41 yard blocked punt return, (kick failed), Falcons 15-14.
SF – Paul Hofer 3 yard rush, (kick failed), 49ers 20-15. Top passers
Top rushers
ATL – Lynn Cain - 11 rushes, 58 yards
SF – Freddie Solomon – 2 rushes, 68 yards, TD Top receivers
ATL – Wallace Francis - 5 receptions, 71 yards
SF – Paul Hofer - 7 receptions, 84 yards
Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears [ ]
Week 9: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Bears
7
7
7
7
28
49ers
3
14
3
7
27
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Paul Hofer 27 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 10-7.
CHI – Walter Payton 7 yard rush, (Bob Thomas kick), Bears 14-10.
SF – Freddie Solomon 1 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 17-14. Third quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 19 yard field goal, 49ers 20-14.
CHI – Walter Payton 7 yard rush, (Bob Thomas kick), Bears 21-20. Fourth quarter
SF – Freddie Solomon 6 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 27-21.
CHI – James Scott 48 yard pass from Mike Phipps , (Bob Thomas kick), Bears 28-27. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
CHI – James Scott - 1 reception, 48 yards, TD
SF – Freddie Solomon - 8 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TDs
Week 10: at Oakland Raiders [ ]
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
10
0
0
10
Raiders
9
7
7
0
23
at Oakland Coliseum , Oakland, California
Game information
First quarter
OAK – Jim Breech 18 yard field goal, Raiders 3-0.
OAK – Cliff Branch 9 yard pass from Ken Stabler , (kick failed), Raiders 9-0. Second quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 39 yard field goal, Raiders 9-3.
SF – Phil Francis 5 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 10-9.
OAK – Mark van Eeghen 1 yard rush, (Jim Breech kick), Raiders 16-10. Third quarter
OAK – Cliff Branch 8 yard pass from Ken Stabler, (Jim Breech kick), Raiders 23-10. Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
SF – Paul Hofer - 13 rushes, 106 yards
OAK – Mark van Eeghen – 27 rushes, 88 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 11: at New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
3
10
7
20
Saints
17
7
7
0
31
at Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
NO – Garo Yepremian 42 yard field goal, Saints 3-0.
NO – Chuck Muncie 2 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 10-0.
NO – Chuck Muncie 12 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 17-0. Second quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 32 yard field goal, Saints 17-3.
NO – Chuck Muncie 1 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 24-3. Third quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 47 yard field goal, Saints 24-6.
SF – Ken MacAfee 4 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Saints 24-13.
NO – Tony Galbreath 4 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Saints 31-13. Fourth quarter
SF – Paul Hofer 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Saints 31-20. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
SF – Dwight Clark - 5 receptions, 50 yards
NO – Tony Galbreath - 6 receptions, 43 yards
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos [ ]
Week 12: Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Broncos
3
14
21
0
38
49ers
0
21
0
7
28
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Paul Hofer 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 7-3.
DEN – Rick Upchurch 13 yard pass from Craig Morton , (Jim Turner kick), Broncos 10-7.
SF – James Owens 85 yard kickoff return, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 14-10.
SF – Wilbur Jackson 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 21-10.
DEN – Otis Armstrong 12 yard pass from Craig Morton, (Jim Turner kick), 49ers 21-17. Third quarter
DEN – John Keyworth 5 yard rush, (Jim Turner kick), Broncos 24-21.
DEN – Riley Odoms 9 yard pass from Craig Morton, (Jim Turner kick), Broncos 31-21.
DEN – Bob Swenson 88 yard fumble return, (Jim Turner kick), Broncos 38-21. Fourth quarter
SF – Bob Bruer 16 yard pass from Joe Montana , (Ray Wersching kick), Broncos 38-28. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
DEN – Rick Upchurch - 8 receptions, 91 yards, TD
SF – Freddie Solomon - 3 receptions, 29 yards
Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 13: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Rams
3
10
13
0
26
49ers
7
10
0
3
20
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
LA – Sid Justin 80 yard blocked field goal return, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 10-7.
SF – Ray Wersching 43 yard field goal, Tied 10-10.
LA – Frank Corral 24 yard field goal, Rams 13-10.
SF – Freddie Solomon 38 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 17-13. Third quarter
LA – Wendell Tyler 71 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo , (Frank Corral kick), Rams 20-17.
LA – Ron Smith 30 yard pass from Bob Lee , (kick failed), Rams 26-17. Fourth quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 19 yard field goal, Rams 26-20. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 14: at St. Louis Cardinals [ ]
Week 14: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Cardinals;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
3
0
7
10
Cardinals
0
0
7
6
13
at Busch Memorial Stadium , St. Louis, Missouri
Date : December 2Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/10:00 a.m. PSTGame weather : 23 °F (-5 °C), windy, wind chill 13 °F (-11 °C)TV : CBS Pro Football Reference
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
STL – Wayne Morris 13 yard rush, (Steve Little kick), Cardinals 7-3. Fourth quarter
SF – Ken MacAfee 3 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 10-7.
STL – Ottis Anderson 6 yard rush, (kick failed), Cardinals 13-10. Top passers
SF – Steve DeBerg – 11/17, 135 yards, TD, INT
STL – Steve Pisarkiewicz – 9/16, 91 yards Top rushers
Top receivers
SF – Dwight Clark - 4 receptions, 78 yards
STL – Pat Tilley - 4 receptions, 47 yards
Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ ]
Week 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Buccaneers
0
7
0
0
7
49ers
10
3
0
10
23
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
SF – Mike Shumann 19 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 7-0.
SF – Ray Wersching 39 yard field goal, 49ers 10-0. Second quarter
TB – Jimmie Giles 19 yard pass from Doug Williams , (Neil O'Donoghue kick), 49ers 10-7.
SF – Ray Wersching 27 yard field goal, 49ers 13-7. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SF – Lenvil Elliott 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 20-7.
SF – Ray Wersching 45 yard field goal, 49ers 23-7. Top passers
TB – Doug Williams – 10/24, 167 yards, TD, 5 INTs
SF – Steve DeBerg – 22/30, 186 yards, TD Top rushers
TB – Ricky Bell - 10 rushes, 36 yards
SF – Wilbur Jackson – 8 rushes, 35 yards Top receivers
TB – Isaac Hagins - 3 receptions, 90 yards
SF – Mike Shumann - 4 receptions, 61 yards, TD
Week 16: at Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 16: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
ATL – Tim Mazzetti 22 yard field goal, Falcons 3-0.
SF – Ken MacAfee 11 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 7-3. Second quarter
ATL – Haskel Stanback 1 yard rush, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 10-7.
SF – Paul Hofer 6 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 14-10. Third quarter
ATL – Haskel Stanback 6 yard rush, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 17-14.
SF – Paul Hofer 35 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 21-17. Fourth quarter
ATL – Jim Mitchell 7 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski , (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 24-21.
ATL – Robert Pennywell 39 yard interception return, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 31-21. Top passers
Top rushers
SF – Paul Hofer - 14 rushes, 77 yards, TD
ATL – William Andrews – 19 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers
SF – Paul Hofer - 9 receptions, 130 yards, TD
ATL – William Andrews - 4 receptions, 50 yards
Standings [ ] Awards and records [ ] Milestones [ ] References [ ]
External links [ ] 
