1997 Lakeland Muskies football team

American college football season March 2026 January 2025 1997 Lakeland Muskies football Illini–Badger Conference IBC 10–0 5–0 Randy Awrey 4th Taylor Field IBFC champion The 1997 Lakeland Muskies football team was an American football team that represented Lakeland University as a member of the Illini–Badger Conference (IBC) during the 1997 NCAA Division III football season. In their fourth year under head coach Randy Awrey, the Muskies compiled a perfect 10–0 record (5–0 in conference games), won the IBC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 428 to 116. The Muskies also won the final eight games of the 1996 season and ran their winning streak to 18 games in 1997. Despite their undefeated record, they were not invited to participate in the 16-team Division III playoffs.Muskies have to swallow perfection The Sheboygan Press Pete Barth November 17, 1997 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-muskies-have-to-swal/142551578/ Newspapers.com Lakeland's quarterback Mark Novara completed 252 of 427 passes for 3,098 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also set an NCAA career record with 894 pass completions and was selected as the IBC 1997 player of the year. He also set Lakeland records for career passing yards (11,295) and touchdown passes (101).Muskies reel in postseason honors The Sheboygan Press November 30, 1997 B1, B5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-muskies-reel-in-post/142553383/ Newspapers.com Other IBC honors went to Randy Awrey (oach of the year); Brian Wesoloski (co-defensive lineman of the year); and Cebulka (special teams player of the year). Other players receiving first-team honors on the 1997 All-IBC football team were wide receivers George Schultz and Brandon Lawson; center John Kalk; receiver David Drane; defensive lineman Carl McMillan; and defensive backs Derrick Smith and Pedro Redding. The team's statistical leaders included Novara with 3,098 passing yards, Curtis Beal with 644 rushing yards, David Drane with 607 receiving yards, and Kimani Cham with 86 points scored.Cumulative Football Statistics Report NCAA March 1, 2024 https://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/statsPDFArchive/MFB2/B/Football_Men's_Division%20III_1997_1164_Lakeland%20College.pdf The team played its home games at Taylor Field in Herman, Wisconsin. Schedule y y September 6 at 1997 Ripon Red Hawks Ripon<ncg> Ripon, WI W 48-0 Lakeland rolls in opener The Sheboygan Press September 8, 1997 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-lakeland-rolls-in-op/142546656/ Newspapers.com September 13 1997 Maranatha Baptist Sabercats Maranatha Baptist<ncg> Taylor Field Herman, WI W 32-14 825 Lakeland routs Maranatha: Muskies' 2-0 start a reverse from last year The Sheboygan Press September 14, 1997 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-lakeland-routs-maran/142547320/ Newspapers.com September 20 at 1997 Carthage Firebirds Carthage<ncg> Kenosha, WI W 42-26 Lakeland holds down Carthage: Late defensive stand improves Muskies to 3-0 The Sheboygan Press September 21, 1997 B5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-lakeland-holds-down/142547713/ Newspapers.com September 27 1997 Franklin Grizzlies Franklin (IN)<ncg> Taylor Field Herman, WI W 40-6 540 Lakeland's defense steps up The Sheboygan Press Frank Rigas September 28, 1997 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-lakelands-defense-s/142548063/ Newspapers.com October 4 1997 Greenville Panthers Greenville<hc> Taylor Field Herman, WI W 59-7 730 Muskies blitz Greenville: Homecoming crowd treated to big victory The Sheboygan Press Pete Barth October 5, 1997 B1, B5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-muskies-blitz-greenv/142548649/ Newspapers.com October 11 at 1997 Concordia Falcons Concordia (WI) Mequon, WI W 41-33 Muskies need unreal comeback to improve to 6-0 The Sheboygan Press October 12, 1997 B2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-muskies-need-unreal/142549086/ Newspapers.com October 18 at 1997 MacMurray Highlanders MacMurray Jacksonville, IL W 24-17 Lakeland comes from behind to top MacMurray The Sheboygan Press October 19, 1997 B3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-lakeland-comes-from/142549536/ Newspapers.com October 25 1997 Concordia Cougars Concordia (IL) Taylor Field Herman, WI W 67-0 680 8-0 Muskies manhandle Concordia: Lakeland routs Illinois school to stay unbeaten The Sheboygan Press Frank Rigas October 26, 1997 B3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-8-0-muskies-manhandl/142549919/ Newspapers.com November 1 at 1997 Eureka Red Devils Eureka Eureka, IL W 24-13 Eureka College falls to Lakeland The Pantagraph November 2, 1997 F7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-eureka-college-falls-to-l/142550329/ Newspapers.com November 15 at 1997 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers Kentucky Wesleyan<ncg> Owensboro, KY W 51-0 Lakeland humiliates Panthers 51-0: Third loss in a row leaves KWC coach looking for answers Messenger-Inquirer November 16, 1997 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-lakeland-humiliates-p/142550839/ Newspapers.comMuskies 'end' year unbeaten The Sheboygan Press November 16, 1997 B1, B7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-muskies-end-year-u/142551996/ Newspapers.com References Lakeland Category:Lakeland Muskies football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Lakeland Muskies football