# 1997 NCAA Division II football season

The 1997 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began on September 6, 1997, and concluded with the NCAA Division II Football Championship on December 13, 1997, at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, hosted by the University of North Alabama.
Northern Colorado defeated New Haven in the championship game, 51–0, to win their second Division II national title.
The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Irvin Sigler, running back from Bloomsburg.

## Conference changes and new programs

| Team | 1996 conference | 1997 conference |
| Chico State | NCAC | dropped program |
| East Central | Oklahoma Intercollegiate (NAIA) | Lone Star |
| Elon | South Atlantic | Independent |
| Harding | Independent (NAIA) | Lone Star |
| Humboldt State | NCAC | Columbia (NAIA) |
| Mississippi College | Independent | American Southwest (D-III) |
| Norfolk State | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | NCAA Division I-AA independent |
| Northeastern State | Oklahoma Intercollegiate (NAIA) | Lone Star |
| Ouachita Baptist | Independent (NAIA) | Lone Star |
| Sonoma State | NCAC | dropped program |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State | Oklahoma Intercollegiate (NAIA) | Lone Star |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State | Oklahoma Intercollegiate (NAIA) | Lone Star |

## Conference standings

1997 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings :
| 1997 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Virginia State +  5 –2  8 –2   Livingstone +  5 –2  8 –3   Virginia Union +  5 –2  7 –4   Winston-Salem State  4 –3  6 –4   North Carolina Central  4 –3  4 –7   Fayetteville State  3 –4  4 –7   Bowie State  2 –5  4 –6   Elizabeth City State  1 –6  2 –8   Johnson C. Smith  1 –6  2 –8   + – Conference co-championsLivingstone forfeited conference wins over Virginia Union and Bowie State. | 1997 Columbia Football Association standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 13 Western Oregon $^  4 –1  7 –3   Central Washington  3 –2  5 –4   Southern Oregon  3 –2  5 –4   Western Washington  3 –2  5 –5   Simon Fraser  1 –4  2 –7   Humboldt State  1 –4  2 –8   $ – Conference champion^ – NAIA playoff participantRankings from NAIA poll | 1997 Eastern Football Conference standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Atlantic Division Albany xy$  8 –0  11 –1   Southern Connecticut  6 –2  7 –4   C. W. Post  5 –3  6 –4   Stony Brook  4 –4  4 –6   Pace  3 –4  4 –5   Sacred Heart  1 –7  1 –9   Bay State Division American International xy  8 –0  8 –4   Bentley  5 –3  6 –3   Stonehill  3 –5  4 –6   Merrimack  3 –5  3 –6   UMass Lowell  1 –7  2 –8   Assumption  0 –7  0 –9   Championship: Albany 27, American International 20 $ – Conference championx – Division champion/co-championsy – Championship game participant |
| 1997 Gulf South Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 10 Southern Arkansas +^  6 –1  9 –2   West Georgia +  6 –1  8 –2   No. 13 North Alabama  6 –2  9 –3   Central Arkansas  5 –3  6 –3   Valdosta State  5 –3  6 –5   Arkansas Tech  4 –4  4 –7   Henderson State  3 –5  4 –6   Delta State  3 –6  3 –7   West Alabama  1 –6  4 –6   Arkansas–Monticello  0 –8  0 –10   + – Conference co-champions^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll | 1997 Lone Star Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Overall No. 4 Texas A&M–Kingsville $^  9 –0  9 –2   No. 6 Angelo State ^  8 –1  10 –2   Central Oklahoma  7 –2  9 –2   West Texas A&M  6 –3  7 –4   SW Oklahoma State  5 –4  5 –5   Abilene Christian  5 –4  7 –4   Northeastern State  4 –4  4 –7   SE Oklahoma State  3 –5  3 –7   Harding  3 –5  5 –5   Ouachita Baptist  3 –5  4 –6   Texas A&M–Commerce  3 –6  3 –8   Eastern New Mexico  3 –6  5 –6   Midwestern State  3 –6  3 –7   Tarleton State  3 –6  4 –7   East Central  0 –8  0 –10   North Central Oklahoma x  5 –1  9 –2   SW Oklahoma State x  5 –1  5 –5   Northeastern State  4 –2  4 –7   Harding  3 –3  5 –5   Ouachita Baptist  3 –3  4 –6   SE Oklahoma State  1 –5  3 –7   East Central  0 –6  0 –10   South No. 4 Texas A&M–Kingsville x$^  7 –0  9 –2   No. 6 Angelo State ^  6 –1  10 –2   Abilene Christian  4 –3  7 –4   West Texas A&M  4 –3  7 –4   Eastern New Mexico  2 –5  5 –6   Tarleton State  2 –5  4 –7   Texas A&M–Commerce  3 –5  3 –8   Midwestern State  1 –6  3 –7   $ – Conference champion^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll | 1997 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 3 NW Missouri State $^  9 –0  12 –1   No. 8 Pittsburg State ^  8 –1  9 –2   Missouri Southern  6 –3  7 –3   Truman State  6 –3  6 –4   Emporia State  5 –4  7 –4   Central Missouri State  4 –5  5 –6   Missouri Western  3 –6  5 –6   Washburn  2 –7  3 –8   Missouri–Rolla  2 –7  3 –8   Southwest Baptist  0 –9  0 –10   $ – Conference champion^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll |
| 1997 Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Ashland +^  9 –1  9 –2   Grand Valley State +  9 –1  9 –1   Saginaw Valley State  8 –2  9 –2   Indianapolis  7 –3  8 –3   Northern Michigan  6 –4  7 –4   Hillsdale  4 –6  4 –7   Ferris State  3 –7  3 –7   Northwood  3 –7  3 –7   Wayne State (MI)  3 –7  3 –8   Michigan Tech  2 –8  2 –8   St. Francis (IL)  1 –9  1 –9   + – Conference co-champions^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant | 1997 North Central Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 11 Northern Colorado $^  8 –1  13 –2   North Dakota  7 –2  8 –2   No. 16 North Dakota State ^  7 –2  9 –3   Nebraska–Omaha  6 –3  8 –3   St. Cloud State  5 –4  6 –5   South Dakota  3 –6  5 –6   Augustana (SD)  3 –6  5 –6   Mankato State  3 –6  4 –7   South Dakota State  3 –6  4 –6   Morningside  0 –9  0 –11   $ – Conference champion^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll | 1997 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Winona State $  6 –0  9 –2   Minnesota Duluth  4 –2  4 –6   Southwest State (MN)  3 –3  5 –6   Moorhead State  3 –3  5 –5   Northern State  3 –3  4 –7   Minnesota Morris  1 –5  3 –7   Bemidji State  1 –5  2 –8   $ – Conference champion |
| 1997 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  East Division Bloomsburg x  6 –0  8 –2   Millersville  4 –2  7 –3   West Chester  4 –2  5 –6   Kutztown  3 –3  6 –4   East Stroudsburg  3 –3  4 –6   Mansfield  1 –5  1 –10   Cheyney  0 –6  0 –11   West Division No. 7 Slippery Rock x^  6 –0  11 –2   Shippensburg  4 –2  6 –4   IUP  4 –2  5 –5   Edinboro  2 –4  4 –6   Clarion  2 –4  3 –7   Lock Haven  2 –4  3 –8   California (PA)  1 –5  2 –8   x – Division champion/co-champions^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll | 1997 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Western State (CO) $^  7 –1  9 –3   Chadron State  6 –2  8 –3   New Mexico Highlands  6 –2  8 –3   Nebraska–Kearney  6 –2  7 –4   Fort Hays State  4 –4  5 –6   Fort Lewis  3 –5  4 –7   Mesa State  2 –6  4 –7   Colorado Mines  1 –7  3 –8   Adams State  1 –7  1 –10   $ – Conference champion^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant | 1997 South Atlantic Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 1 Carson–Newman $^  7 –0  11 –1   Catawba  5 –2  8 –3   Gardner–Webb  4 –3  8 –3   Wingate  4 –3  8 –3   Mars Hill  3 –4  5 –5   Presbyterian  3 –4  5 –6   Newberry  2 –5  4 –7   Lenoir–Rhyne  0 –7  0 –10   $ – Conference champion^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll |
| 1997 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 5 Albany State $^  6 –0  11 –1   Alabama A&M  4 –2  7 –4   Kentucky State  4 –2  7 –5   Fort Valley State  4 –2  5 –6   Tuskegee  3 –3  7 –4   Morris Brown  3 –3  6 –5   Miles  3 –3  4 –6   Clark Atlanta  2 –4  4 –7   Savannah State  1 –5  3 –8   Morehouse  0 –6  3 –8   $ – Conference champion^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll | 1997 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Shepherd +  6 –1  9 –1   No. 15 Glenville State +^  6 –1  9 –3   West Virginia Wesleyan  5 –2  5 –5   Concord  3 –4  5 –5   Fairmont State  3 –4  5 –6   West Virginia State  3 –4  5 –6   West Liberty State  2 –5  4 –6   West Virginia Tech  0 –7  0 –11   + – Conference co-champions^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll | 1997 NCAA Division II independents football records vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 2 New Haven ^   –  12 –2   Mercyhurst   –  6 –3   No. 14 UC Davis ^   –  9 –5   Elon   –  7 –4   Western New Mexico   –  5 –5   Saint Joseph's (IN)   –  5 –6   Wayne State (NE)   –  3 –7   Quincy   –  0 –10   ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participantRankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll |

## Conference summaries

* Conference Champions
* Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Livingstone, Virginia State, and Virginia Union
* Eastern Collegiate Football Conference – Albany
* Gulf South Conference – Southern Arkansas and West Georgia
* Lone Star Conference – Texas A&M–Kingsville
* Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association – Northwest Missouri State
* Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference – Grand Valley State and Ashland
* North Central Conference – Northern Colorado
* Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference – Winona State
* Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference – Bloomsburg (East), Slippery Rock (West)
* Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference – Western State (CO)
* South Atlantic Conference – Carson-Newman
* Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Albany State
* West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Glenville State and Shepherd

## Postseason

The 1997 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs were the 24th single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football. The championship game was held at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, for the 11th time.

### Playoff bracket

| First round Campus sites | First round Campus sites | Quarterfinals Campus sites | Quarterfinals Campus sites | Semifinals Campus sites | Semifinals Campus sites | | Championship Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL | Championship Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL |
| UC Davis | 37 | | | | | | | |
| Texas A&M–Kingsville† | 34 | | | | | | | |
| Texas A&M–Kingsville† | 34 | UC Davis | 50 | | | | | |
| | | Angelo State | 33 | | | | | |
| Angelo State | 46 | Angelo State | 33 | | | | | |
| Western State (CO) | 20 | | | | | | | |
| Western State (CO) | 20 | | | UC Davis | 25 | | | |
| | | | | New Haven | 27 | | | |
| New Haven | 47 | | | | | New Haven | 27 | | | |
| Glenville State | 7 | | | | | | | |
| Glenville State | 7 | New Haven | 49 | | | | | |
| | | Slippery Rock | 21 | | | | | |
| Slippery Rock | 30 | Slippery Rock | 21 | | | | | |
| Ashland | 20 | | | | | | | |
| Ashland | 20 | | | | | | New Haven | 0 |
| | | | | | | | Northern Colorado | 51 |
| Northwest Missouri State | 39 | | | | | | | | Northern Colorado | 51 |
| North Dakota State | 28 | | | | | | | |
| North Dakota State | 28 | Northwest Missouri State | 19 | | | | | |
| | | Northern Colorado | 35 | | | | | |
| Northern Colorado | 24 | Northern Colorado | 35 | | | | | |
| Pittsburg State | 16 | | | | | | | |
| Pittsburg State | 16 | | | Northern Colorado | 30 | | | |
| | | | | Carson–Newman | 29 | | | |
| Carson–Newman | 21 | | | | | Carson–Newman | 29 | | | |
| North Alabama | 7 | | | | | | | |
| North Alabama | 7 | Carson–Newman | 23 | | | | | |
| | | Albany State | 22 | | | | | |
| Albany State | 10 | Albany State | 22 | | | | | |
| Southern Arkansas | 6 | | | | | | | |