1997 McNeese State Cowboys football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1997 McNeese State Cowboys football Southland Conference Southland 7 13–2 6–1 Bobby Keasler 8th Mike Santiago 8th Kirby Bruchhaus 8th Cowboy Stadium Southland co-champion NCAA Division I-AA Championship L 9–10 vs. Youngstown State The 1997 McNeese State Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference (Southland) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their eighth year under head coach Bobby Keasler, the team compiled an overall record of 13–2, with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, and finished as Southland co-champions. The Cowboys advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs and lost to Youngstown State in the championship game. Schedule 1997 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network September 6 w y 1997 Southeastern Oklahoma State Savages Southeastern Oklahoma State Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 31–0 13,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120236101/mcneese-31-southeastern-0/ Tulsa World McNeese 31, Southeastern 0 September 7, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com September 13 w y y 20 Southwest Missouri State Plaster Sports Complex Springfield, MO 28–16 13,385 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120236339/bears-offense-sputters-in-loss/ The Springfield News-Leader Bears' offense sputters in loss September 14, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com September 20 w y 16 Northern Iowa 12 Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 22–5 11,627 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120236654/no-13-uni-upset-on-road/ The Des Moines Register No. 13 UNI upset on road September 21, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com September 27 w y 11 Jacksonville State Paul Snow Stadium Jacksonville, AL 27–6 3,787 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120236892/cowboys-slip-slide-on-by/ The Anniston Star Cowboys slip, slide on by September 28, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com October 4 w y 10 1997 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Arkansas Tech Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 55–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120237164/mcneese-state-55-arkansas-tech-7/ The Shreveport Times McNeese State 55, Arkansas Tech 7 October 5, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com October 11 w 4 Northwestern State Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA rivalry 50–7 15,276 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120237391/mcneese-wallops-northwestern-state/ The Shreveport Times McNeese wallops Northwestern State October 12, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com October 25 l y 2 Stephen F. Austin 10 Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX 7–13 17,387 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120237589/sfa-edges-no-2-mcneese/ Longview News-Journal SFA edges No. 2 McNeese October 26, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com November 1 w 9 Sam Houston State Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 38–21 10,238 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114815057/mcneese-38-sam-houston-st-21/ The Daily Advertiser McNeese 38, Sam Houston St. 21 November 2, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com November 8 w y 10 Southwest Texas State Bobcat Stadium San Marcos, TX 31–21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97363174/mcneese-st-31-sw-texas-21/ Alexandria Daily Town Talk McNeese St. 31, SW Texas 21 November 9, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com November 15 w 7 Troy State Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 10–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120238049/mcneese-slips-past-troy-st/ The Daily Advertiser McNeese slips past Troy St. November 16, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com November 22 w y 7 Nicholls State John L. Guidry Stadium Thibodaux, LA 31–13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120238275/mcneese-captures-share-of-slc-title/ The Crowley Post-Signal McNeese captures share of SLC title November 23, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com November 29 w y 7 Montana 11 Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA NCAA Division I-AA First Round 19–14 13,681 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120238495/cowboys-dash-griz-playoff-hopes/ The Billings Gazette Cowboys dash Griz playoff hopes November 30, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com December 6 w y y 7 Western Illinois 2 Hanson Field Macomb, IL NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 14–12 5,000 Western Illinois falls to McNeese State in quarters https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88484173/ The Pantagraph December 7, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com December 13 w y y 7 Delaware 3 Delaware Stadium Newark, DE NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 23–21 14,461 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120238859/kick-halts-delawares-hopes/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Kick halts Delaware's hopes December 14, 1997 March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com December 20 l y y 7 Youngstown State 4 Finley Stadium Chattanooga, TN NCAA Division I-AA Championship 9–10 14,771 Penguins win 4th national title: Tidwell's TD pass lifts Youngstown State The Times Recorder Associated Press December 21, 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71203657/penguins-win-4th-national-title/ March 5, 2023 Newspapers.com References McNeese State Category:McNeese Cowboys football seasons Category:Southland Conference football champion seasons McNeese State Cowboys football McNeese State