The 1998 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began on September 5, 1998, and concluded with the NCAA Division II Football Championship on December 12, 1998, at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, hosted by the University of North Alabama. The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats defeated Carson–Newman, 24–6, to win their first Division II national title.

The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Brian Shay, running back from Emporia State.

Conference changes and new programs School 1997 Conference 1998 Conference Alabama A&M SIAC SWAC (I-AA) Findlay MSFA (NAIA) MIFC Lane D-II Independent SIAC Mercyhurst D-II Independent MIFC Sacred Heart Eastern Northeast (I-AA) Westminster (PA) MSFA (NAIA) MIFC

Program changes Mankato State University changed its name to Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998, the Mankato State Mavericks became the Minnesota State Mavericks during the 1998 season.

Conference standings

Mixed NCAA/NAIA conferences

Conference summaries

Conference ChampionsCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Livingstone and Winston-Salem State Eastern Collegiate Football Conference – Albany Gulf South Conference – Delta State and West Georgia Lone Star Conference – Central Oklahoma Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association – Northwest Missouri State Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference – Grand Valley State North Central Conference – Nebraska–Omaha and Northern Colorado Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference – Winona State Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference – Millersville (East), Slippery Rock (West) Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference – Chadron State and Western State (CO) South Atlantic Conference – Carson-Newman Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Tuskegee West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Shepherd

Postseason

The 1998 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs were the 25th single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football. The championship game was held at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, for the 12th time.

Playoff bracket

Note:† Texas A&M–Kingsville forfeited these games as a result of using ineligible players.

See also 1998 NCAA Division II football rankings 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season 1998 NCAA Division I-AA football season 1998 NCAA Division III football season 1998 NAIA football season

References