| Year: | 1979 |
| Team: | Murray State Racers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Ohio Valley Conference |
| Short Conf: | OVC |
| Record: | 9–2–1 |
| Conf Record: | 6–0 |
| Head Coach: | Mike Gottfried |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Coach: | Frank Beamer |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Roy Stewart Stadium |
| Champion: | OVC champion |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal |
| Bowl Result: | L 9–28 vs. Lehigh |
The 1979 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University during the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by second-year head coach Mike Gottfried, the Racers compiled an overall record of 9–2–1 with a mark of 6–0 on conference play, winning the OVC title. Murray State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where they lost to Lehigh in the semifinals.