1997 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1997 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football Independent 5 10–2 Jack Harbaugh 9th L. T. Smith Stadium NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal L 21–38 at Eastern Washington The 1997 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season and were led by quarterback Willie Taggart and head coach Jack Harbaugh. The team was an independent and earned their first NCAA Division I-AA Playoff berth since 1988, making it to the quarterfinals. The Hilltoppers primarily ran an option offense and were ranked 1st in Rush Offence for NCAA Division I-AA. They finished the season ranked 5th in final I-AA postseason national poll.Div. I-AA Poll Longview News-Journal Longview, Texas November 18, 1997 2D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648577/poll_1997_1118_i_aa/ Newspapers.com April 30, 2017 Western Kentucky's roster included future NFL players Rod “He Hate Me” Smart and Ben Wittman. Patrick Goodman and Andy Hape were named to All-America teams,WKU Football 2021 Media Guide retrieved 16 August 2021. while Harbaugh was Division I-AA Independents and AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year.Coach Bio: Jack Harbaugh retrieved 6 April 2020. The I-AA Independent All-Star Team included Goodman, Bryan Heyward, Joey Stockton, Hape, Ron Kelly, and Taggart.WKU Football 2019 Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020. Schedule 1997 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network Central August 28 w y 10 1997 Tennessee–Martin Skyhawks Tennessee–Martin Graham Stadium Martin, TN 42–0 7,796 September 6 w 11 1997 Murray State Racers Murray State 12 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY Battle for the Red Belt 52–50 3OT 15,400 September 13 w y 9 Eastern Kentucky Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY Battle of the Bluegrass 37–21 18,600 Bailey Rick Western revs past Eastern https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader/206189856/ September 17, 2026 Lexington Herald-Leader September 14, 1997 C1 Newspapers.com September 20 w 6 1997 Austin Peay Governors Austin Peay L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 53–7 7,000 September 27 7:00 p.m. w 3 South Florida L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 31–3 11,200 October 4 7:00 p.m. l y 3 UAB Legion Field Birmingham, AL 16–20 17,385 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90541823/uab-tops-hilltoppers/ The Paducah Sun UAB tops Hilltoppers October 5, 1997 December 13, 2021 Newspapers.com October 18 w 7 1997 New Haven Chargers New Haven 3 (DII) L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 24–21 9,300 October 25 w y 7 Southern Illinois McAndrew Stadium Carbondale, IL 52–31 3,000 Hardwig Greg Slick Willie waxes Salukis https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92683289/southern-illinoisan/ January 15, 2022 The Southern Illinoisan October 26, 1997 1C Newspapers.com November 1 w 5 y 1997 Morehead State Eagles Morehead State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 38–24 9,700 November 8 w y 5 Indiana State Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN 21–14 2,265 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-wku-rallies-in-2nd-ha/195230593/ Messenger-Inquirer WKU rallies in 2nd half for win November 9, 1997 April 9, 2026 Newspapers.com November 29 w 5 Eastern Kentucky 15 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY NCAA Division I-AA First Round 41–14 9,000 Western downs EKU in Div. I-AA playoffs https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader/206185882/ September 17, 2026 The Times-Leader Associated Press December 3, 1997 C2 Newspapers.com December 6 l y 5 Eastern Washington 4 Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 21–38 6,829 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-eagles-sprint-into/176962938/ The Billings Gazette Eagles sprint into semifinals December 7, 1997 July 18, 2025 Newspapers.com References Western Kentucky Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football seasons Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football Western Kentucky