The NCAA News - News and Features

January 5, 1998

Youngstown State takes title in classic championship game

In what turned out to be an epic defensive battle, Youngstown State defeated McNeese State, 10-9, to win the lowest-scoring title game in the 20-year history of the Division I-AA Football Championship.

The game was played December 20 at W. Max Finley Stadium/Davenport Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Statistically, the game was a draw. Youngstown State edged the Cowboys, 12 first downs to 11, while McNeese State nipped the Penguins in total yards, 201 to 200.

The most telling statistic, however, was in the turnover column.

"We've said forever that if you don't turn it over, you have a chance to win the national championship," said Youngstown State coach Jim Tressel, who became the first coach in Division I-AA history to win four national titles. "We didn't have any and (McNeese State) had one (turnover). That's how good these two teams are and how even they are. It took one turnover to make the difference."

The turnover that shifted the momentum of the game occurred at the 12:02 mark of the fourth quarter. Trailing, 9-3, after three field goals (22, 37 and 46 yards) by McNeese State kicker Shonz LaFrenz, Youngstown State linebacker Jeff Fackrell intercepted a pass by Cowboys quarterback Blake Prejean at the Penguins' 34-yard line.

It was the 16th takeaway for Youngstown State during the 1997 championship, compared to only one turnover.

Quarterback Demond Tidwell then led the Penguins on a nine-play, 66-yard drive that culminated in the game's only touchdown. On third and goal from the nine-yard line, Tidwell threw a fade pass to a wide-open Renauld Ray deep in the far corner of the end zone at 8:08 to tie the score. The extra point by Mark Griffith provided the winning margin.

"We had to be the two toughest teams in the country to make the road we did," Tressel said. "We beat the No. 1 (seed) and No. 3, and they beat No. 2 and No. 4 on the road. That's never been done before. It just shows you the toughness, class and character of both teams. It's a shame that only one team gets to win."

It was the fourth title for Youngstown State, all coming in the 1990s. Georgia Southern is the only other Division I-AA team that has won four national titles.

Youngstown State set a playoff record for fewest points scored by a winning team (10), and the margin of victory (one) was equaled only in 1987, when Northeast Louisiana defeated Marshall, 43-42. McNeese State coach Bobby Keasler was the de-
fensive coordinator for Northeast Louisiana that season.

"I thought we had a chance to win this championship," said Keasler, whose team finished 13-2 after a 3-8 season a year ago. "Things just didn't go our way. Momentum swung and Youngstown State (17 seniors) was mature enough to capitalize on it. We found a way to get here; maybe we can find a way to get back."

Youngstown State finished with a 13-2 record and has won 12 consecutive NCAA tournament games dating back to a 31-28 loss to Marshall in the 1992 championship game.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Youngstown St. -- 0 -- 3 -- 0 -- 7 -- 10

McNeese St. -- 3 -- 0 -- 6 -- 0 -- 9

First Quarter

McNeese St. -- Shonz LaFrenz 22 field goal (5:30)

Second Quarter

Youngstown St. -- Mark Griffith 21 field goal (2:19)

Third Quarter

McNeese St. -- LaFrenz 37 field goal (8:08)

McNeese St. -- LaFrenz 46 field goal (:51)

Fourth Quarter

Youngstown St. -- Renauld Ray 9 pass from Demond Tidwell (Griffith kick) (8:08)

-- Youngstown -- McNeese

-- St. -- St.

First Downs -- 12 -- 11

Rushing Yardage -- 73 -- 58

Passing Yardage -- 127 -- 143

Return Yardage -- 42 -- 23

Passes (Comp.- Att.-Int.) -- 12-21-0 -- 14-28-1

Punts (No.-Avg.) -- 9-33.1 -- 5-36.6

Fumbles (No.-Lost) -- 0-0 -- 0-0

Penalties

(No.-Yards) -- 3-20 -- 3-35

Attendance: 14,771