| Year: | 1978 |
| Team: | Tulsa Golden Hurricane |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Missouri Valley Conference |
| Short Conf: | MVC |
| Record: | 9–2 |
| Conf Record: | 4–1 |
| Head Coach: | John Cooper |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Stadium: | Skelly Stadium |
The 1978 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team represented the University of Tulsa as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach John Cooper, the Golden Hurricane compiled an overall record of 9–2 record with a mark of 4–1 in conference play, placing second in the MVC.[1] The team defeated Virginia Tech (35–33), Kansas State (24–14), Louisville (24–7), Cincinnati (27–26), and Wichita State (27–13), but lost to No. 2-ranked Arkansas (21–13) and MVC champion New Mexico State (23–20).[2]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback David Rader with 1,683 passing yards, Sherman Johnson with 826 rushing yards, and Rickey Watts with 730 receiving yards.[3] Head coach John Cooper was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The following Golden Hurricane players were selected in the 1979 NFL draft following the season.[5] [6]
| 2 | 39 | Rickey Watts | Wide receiver | Chicago Bears | |
| 4 | 106 | Eddie Hare | Punter | New England Patriots | |
| 8 | 202 | Doug Panfil | Guard | New Orleans Saints | |
| 11 | 295 | David Rader | Quarterback | San Diego Chargers |