1998 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1998 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football Independent 19 7–4 Jack Harbaugh 10th L. T. Smith Stadium The 1998 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University in the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA football season and were led by All-American quarterback Willie Taggart and head coach Jack Harbaugh. This would be the team's last year as an independent, the next year they would rejoin the Ohio Valley Conference as a football only member.2017 OVC Football Media Guide, retrieved 30 April 2020 The Hilltoppers primarily ran an option offense and were ranked 3rd in rush offense for NCAA Division I-AA. They missed returning to the NCAA Playoffs and finished the season ranked 19th in final 1AA postseason national poll.Final Div. I-AA poll The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee December 22, 1998 7C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11125866/poll_1998_1222_i_aa_final/ Newspapers.com May 20, 2017 Western Kentucky's roster included future NFL players Joseph Jefferson, Rod “He Hate Me” Smart, and Ben Wittman. Patrick Goodman, Andy Hape, and Taggart were named to the AP All American team and Taggart was also named I-AA Independent Offensive Player of the Year. The I-AA Independent All-Star Team included Goodman, Hape, Taggart, Delvechio Walls, Bryan Daniel, and Trae Hackett.WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020. Schedule 1998 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network September 3 w 8 1998 Tennessee–Martin Skyhawks Tennessee–Martin L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 49–7 9,000 September 12 l y 7 1998 Murray State Racers Murray State 16 Roy Stewart Stadium Murray, KY Battle for the Red Belt 31–36 12,198 September 19 l 15 1998 Eastern Kentucky Colonels Eastern Kentucky 16 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY Battle of the Bluegrass 16–27 14,200 September 26 w y 24 1998 Austin Peay Governors Austin Peay Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN 56–14 7,600 October 3 w 22 1998 New Haven Chargers New Haven L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 24–21 4,600 October 17 w y 19 South Florida 12 Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL 31–24 30,083 October 24 w y 12 1998 Elon Fightin' Christians Elon L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 41–38 OT 9,000 October 31 l y 11 Louisville Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY 34–63 32,649 November 7 w 18 Southern Illinois L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 48–28 4,400 Cunningham Steve Hilltoppers spare Salukis some heartbreak https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92668837/southern-illinoisan/ January 15, 2022 The Southern Illinoisan November 8, 1998 1C Newspapers.com November 14 w 15 1998 Indiana State Sycamores Indiana State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 42–14 4,100 November 21 l y 13 Southwestern Louisiana Cajun Field Lafayette, LA 24–38 5,224 References Western Kentucky Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football seasons Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football