The reins were handed to Walsh's quarterback coach and offensive mastermind Rod Dowhower who took Dils' back-up and for the third season in a row, produced the nation's leading passer. This time it was Turk Shoenert's turn and he tossed 148 completions for 1922 yards and 19 touchdowns, thus keeping the most highly-recruited prep star in the nation John Elway, on the bench behind him. WR Ken Margerum (41 receptions for 733 yards) was named All American. HB Darrin Nelson was lost for the season as the result of tearing a hamstring during  spring track. LB Milt McColl's play was dampened by a shoulder injury but still was outstanding with lean 165-pound Rod Gilmore leading the secondary. The 5-5-1 record included a 21-14 loss to Cal. Immediately after the season, DB coach George Seifert who had coached at Stanford earlier with Jack Christiansen's staff and returned with Walsh, left to rejoin Walsh with the Forty-Niners. Dowhower maintained the helmet design introduced by Walsh in 1977 but switched to white facemasks, forever phasing out the traditional gray.

If interested in any of these Stanford helmets please click on the photos below.