1979 Playoffs

Stagg Bowl VII
Ithaca 14, Wittenberg 10
December 1979, in Phenix City, Ala.

Ithaca won its first national championship, defeating previously unbeaten Wittenberg, 14-10. at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Phenix City, Ala.

It was the fourth appearance for both teams in the seven-year history of the Division III championship. Wittenberg won the first championship in 1973 and defeated Ithaca for the 1975 title. The Tigers lost to Baldwin-Wallace in the 1978 championship. Ithaca was the runner-up in 1974 and 1975 and lost to Wittenberg in the first round in 1978.

Wittenberg (11-1) lost two fumbles in the third quarter, and Ithaca (11-2) turned the second one into the game-winnrng touchdown. Wittenberg outgained Ithaca 309-217 but fumbled four times.

Bob Ferrigno was the leading rusher for Ithaca with 62 yards on 19 carries, and Tracy King led Wittenberg rushers with 61 yards on 20 carries.

Playoff results
Quarterfinals
Wittenberg 21, Millersville 14
Widener 29, Baldwin-Wallace 8
Carnegie Mellon 31, Minnesota-Morris 25
Ithaca 27, Dubuque 7

Semifinals
Wittenberg 17, Widener 14
Ithaca 15, Carnegie Mellon 6

Stagg Bowl VII
Ithaca 14, Wittenberg 10, at Phenix City, Ala.