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.[1]
| 1997 Lakeland Muskies football | |
|---|---|
IBFC champion | |
| Conference | Illini–Badger Conference |
| Record | 10–0 (5–0 IBC) |
| Head coach |
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| Home stadium | Taylor Field |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lakeland $ | 5 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concordia (WI) | 4 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MacMurray | 3 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eureka | 2 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concordia (IL) | 1 | – | 4 | 2 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greenville | 0 | – | 5 | 2 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.[2]
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).[3]
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).[3] 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.[3]
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.[1]
The team played its home games at Taylor Field in Herman, Wisconsin.
Schedule
edit| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 6 | at Ripon* | Ripon, WI | W 48–0 | [4] | |||
| September 13 | Maranatha Baptist* |
| W 32–14 | 825 | [5] | ||
| September 20 | at Carthage* | Kenosha, WI | W 42–26 | [6] | |||
| September 27 | Franklin (IN)* |
| W 40–6 | 540 | [7] | ||
| October 4 | Greenville |
| W 59–7 | 730 | [8] | ||
| October 11 | at Concordia (WI) | Mequon, WI | W 41–33 | [9] | |||
| October 18 | at MacMurray | Jacksonville, IL | W 24–17 | [10] | |||
| October 25 | Concordia (IL) |
| W 67–0 | 680 | [11] | ||
| November 1 | at Eureka | Eureka, IL | W 24–13 | [12] | |||
| November 15 | at Kentucky Wesleyan* | Owensboro, KY | W 51–0 | [13][14] | |||
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References
edit- ^ a b c "Cumulative Football Statistics Report" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Pete Barth (November 17, 1997). "Muskies have to swallow perfection". The Sheboygan Press. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Muskies reel in postseason honors". The Sheboygan Press. November 30, 1997. pp. B1, B5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lakeland rolls in opener". The Sheboygan Press. September 8, 1997. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lakeland routs Maranatha: Muskies' 2-0 start a reverse from last year". The Sheboygan Press. September 14, 1997. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lakeland holds down Carthage: Late defensive stand improves Muskies to 3-0". The Sheboygan Press. September 21, 1997. p. B5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Frank Rigas (September 28, 1997). "Lakeland's defense steps up". The Sheboygan Press. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pete Barth (October 5, 1997). "Muskies blitz Greenville: Homecoming crowd treated to big victory". The Sheboygan Press. pp. B1, B5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Muskies need unreal comeback to improve to 6-0". The Sheboygan Press. October 12, 1997. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lakeland comes from behind to top MacMurray". The Sheboygan Press. October 19, 1997. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Frank Rigas (October 26, 1997). "8-0 Muskies manhandle Concordia: Lakeland routs Illinois school to stay unbeaten". The Sheboygan Press. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eureka College falls to Lakeland". The Pantagraph. November 2, 1997. p. F7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lakeland humiliates Panthers 51-0: Third loss in a row leaves KWC coach looking for answers". Messenger-Inquirer. November 16, 1997. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Muskies 'end' year unbeaten". The Sheboygan Press. November 16, 1997. pp. B1, B7 – via Newspapers.com.