1997 Findlay Oilers football team

The 1997 Findlay Oilers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Findlay as a member of the Midwest League within the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) during the 1997 NAIA football season. In their 23rd season under head coach Dick Strahm, the Oilers compiled a perfect 14–0 record (6–0 against conference opponents), outscored opponents by a total of 567 to 179, and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Willamette, 14–7, in the NAIA Championship Game.[1]

1997 Findlay Oilers football
NAIA national champion
MSFA Midwest League champion
ConferenceMid-States Football Association
DivisionMidwest League
Record14–0 (6–0 MSFA)
Head coach
Home stadiumDonnell Stadium
1997 Mid-States Football Association standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Mideast League
No. 5 Geneva x^  6 –0   11 –2  
No. 8 Westminster (PA) ^  5 –1   9 –2  
No. 21 Walsh  4 –2   7 –3  
Malone  3 –3   5 –5  
Tri-State  2 –4   4 –6  
Tiffin  1 –4   4 –7  
Urbana  0 –6   0 –10  
Midwest League
No. 1 Findlay x^  6 –0   14 –0  
No. 24 Taylor  5 –1   7 –3  
Olivet Nazarene  4 –2   7 –3  
St. Ambrose  3 –3   4 –6  
Iowa Wesleyan  1 –5   4 –7  
Saint Xavier  1 –5   1 –9  
Trinity International  1 –5   1 –9  
  • x – League champion/co-champions
    ^ – NAIA playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA poll

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 6Campbellsville*Findlay, OHW 28–20
September 20at Mercyhurst*Erie, PAW 44–14
September 27at Tiffin*Tiffin, OHW 54–14
October 4at Olivet NazareneBourbonnais, ILW 35–24
October 11St. AmbroseFindlay, OHW 48–24
October 18Trinity InternationalDeerfield, ILW 34–7
October 25Iowa WesleyanFindlay, OHW 62–7
November 2Saint XavierChicago, ILW 70–8
November 8TaylorFindlay, OHW 55–7
November 15Tri-State*Findlay, OHW 29–15
November 22Westminster (PA)*Findlay, OH (NAIA first round)W 40–0[2]
December 6Geneva*Findlay, OH (NAIA quarterfinal)W 28–7[3]
December 13Doane*Findlay, OH (NAIA semifinal)W 26–25[4]
December 20Willamette*
W 14–7[5][6]
  • *Non-conference game

References
  1. "The University of Findlay Oilers Football Media Guide 2011". University of Findlay. 2011. p. 65.
  2. "Findlay 40, Westminster 0". The Akron Beacon Journal. November 23, 1997. p. C10 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Findlay 28, Geneva 7". The Newark Advocate. December 7, 1997. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Findlay advances to NAIA title contest". The Marion Star. December 14, 1997. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Andrew Gilman (December 21, 1997). "Findlay Takes NAIA Title (part 1)". The Jackson Sun. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Andrew Gilman (December 21, 1997). "Findlay Takes NAIA Title (part 1)". The Jackson Sun. p. 10D – via Newspapers.com.
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