The 1979 Penn State squad finished the regular season with a record of 7–4 and losses against Texas A&M, Nebraska, Miami and Pittsburgh.[1] The appearance marked the third for Penn State in the Liberty Bowl, and the school's 18th overall bowl game.[2]
The 1979 Tulane squad finished the regular season with a record of 9–2 and losses against Rice and West Virginia.[3] The appearance marked the second for Tulane in the Liberty Bowl, and the school's sixth overall bowl game.[4]