National Football Foundation

SEC Champion Alabama defeated Southwest Conference Co-Champion Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, marking the Crimson Tide's second straight MacArthur Bowl and third overall. Coached by College Football Hall of Famer Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama finished 12-0 after a 24-9 victory against the Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. Bryant became the first coach to claim the MacArthur Bowl outright in consecutive seasons, and the fourth coach to take home the trophy three times. The 1979 Alabama team was led by 1979 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and starting quarterback, Steadman Shealy.

Representing the pinnacle of team achievement in college sports, the trophy was the gift of an anonymous donor, who commissioned Tiffany & Co. to craft it from 400 ounces of silver, in honor of NFF founder General Douglas A. MacArthur. It took eight months to make, and the trophy features MacArthur's famous quote: "There is no substitute for victory."