1997 Youngstown State Penguins football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1997 Youngstown State Penguins football Youngstown State Penguins logo.svg 175 Gateway Football Conference Gateway 4 13–2 4–2 Jim Tressel 12th Stambaugh Stadium NCAA Division I-AA champion NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game W 10–9 vs. McNeese State The 1997 Youngstown State Penguins football team was an American football team represented Youngstown State University in the Gateway Football Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their 12th season under head coach Jim Tressel, the team compiled a 13–2 record (4–2 against conference opponents) and defeated McNeese State in the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game.2018 YSU Football Media Guide Youngstown State University 43 http://www.ysupenguins.com/sportspages/football/media_guide/Media_Guide.pdf February 15, 2021 It was Youngstown State's fourth national championship in seven years. Quarterback Demond Tidwell received the team's most valuable player award.2018 Media Guide, p. 45. The team's statistical leaders included Tidwell with 1,961 passing yards, Jake Andreadis with 1,057 rushing yards and 1,688 all-purpose yards, and Adrian Brown with 122 points.2018 Media Guide, pp. 31-32. Schedule 1997 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network y y y y Eastern August 28 7:00 p.m. 1997 Slippery Rock Slippery Rock<ncg> 11 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH W 33–9 14,107 https://www.newspapers.com/article/ellwood-city-ledger-ysu-blasts-slippery/188355971/ Ellwood City Ledger YSU blasts Slippery Rock, 33–9 August 29, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com September 6 7:00 p.m. Kent State<ncg> 9 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH W 44–23 17,974 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-ysu-runs-through-kent-s/188356078/ The Plain Dealer YSU runs through Kent State September 7, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com September 20 1:00 p.m. at Boston University<ncg> 6 Nickerson Field Boston, MA W 28–7 2,035 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-terriers-fall-flat-in-2/188356193/ The Boston Globe Terriers fall flat in 2d half September 21, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com September 27 7:00 p.m. 1997 Hofstra Flying Dutchmen Hofstra<ncg> 2 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH W 27–22 16,071 https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-nassau-edition-tough-loss-for/188356310/ Newsday Tough loss for Flying Dutchmen September 28, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com October 4 2:00 p.m. at Indiana State 2 Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN W 31–0 5,335 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-youngstown-state-t/188356438/ The Indianapolis Star Youngstown State trashes Indiana State's homecoming October 5, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com October 11 1:00 p.m. Buffalo<hc><ncg> 1 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH W 52–17 20,519 https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-youngstown-52-bu/188356551/ Democrat and Chronicle Youngstown 52, Buffalo 17 October 12, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com October 18 1:30 p.m. at No. 24 Northern Iowa 1 UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA L 32–35 12,218 https://www.newspapers.com/article/globe-gazette-uni-streak-at-25/188354020/ The Globe-Gazette UNI streak at 25 October 19, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com November 1 1:00 p.m. Illinois State 4 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH W 13–0 13,363 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-penguins-escape-illi/188356689/ The Southern Illinoisan Penguins escape Illinois St. November 2, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com November 8 12:30 p.m. at Southern Illinois 4 McAndrew Stadium Carbondale, IL W 34–10 2,000 Hardwig Greg Penguins ice SIU https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92683714/southern-illinoisan/ January 15, 2022 The Southern Illinoisan November 9, 1997 1C Newspapers.com November 15 1:00 p.m. Southwest Missouri State 4 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH W 45–13 11,167 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-youngstown-st-rolls-ov/150372615/ The Plain Dealer Youngstown St. rolls over SW Missouri November 16, 1997 June 30, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 1:00 p.m. No. 2 Western Illinois 4 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH L 21–24 12,134 Leathernecks capture Gateway championship https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88483506/ November 6, 2021 The Southern Illinoisan Associated Press November 23, 1997 3C Newspapers.com November 29 1:00 p.m. No. 9 Hampton<ncg> 4 Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH (NCAA Division I-AA First Round) W 28–13 12,431 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122906709/penguins-down-hampton/ The Newark Advocate Penguins down Hampton November 30, 1997 April 15, 2023 Newspapers.com December 6 12:00 p.m. at No. 1 Villanova<ncg> 4 Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal) W 37–34 7,591 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-youngstown-stat/188356848/ The Akron Beacon Journal Youngstown State rally stuns No. 1 Villanova December 7, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com December 13 12:30 p.m. at No. 6 Eastern Washington<ncg> 4 Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal) W 25–14 8,529 Eastern's last stand The Spokesman-Review December 14, 1997 C1, C8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71183298/easterns-last-stand/ Newspapers.com December 20 2:00 p.m. vs No. 7 McNeese State<ncg> 4 Finley Stadium Chattanooga, TN (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game) W 10–9 14,771 Penguins win 4th national title: Tidwell's TD pass lifts Youngstown State The Times Recorder Associated Press December 21, 1997 2B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71203657/penguins-win-4th-national-title/ Newspapers.com References Youngstown State Category:Youngstown State Penguins football seasons Category:NCAA Division I Football Champions Youngstown State Penguins football Youngstown State