1975 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team
| 1975 Northern Michigan Wildcats football | |
|---|---|
 | |
1975 NCAA Division II champion | |
| Conference | Independent |
| 1975 record | 13–1 |
| Head coach | Gil Krueger (2nd year) |
The 1975 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University during the 1975 NCAA Division II football season. Led by second-year head coach Gil Krueger, the Wildcats compiled a 13–1 record, with victories over Central Michigan (17–16), Nebraska–Omaha (41–14), Youngstown State (15–0), Eastern Michigan (20–7), and Boise State (24–21) in Idaho in the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs.[1]
The Wildcats defeated the Western Kentucky in the championship game, 16–14, to win their first Division II national title.[2][3][4][5][6] The championship game was held at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, California. Of all current members of Division II, as of 2013, Northern Michigan was the first to win the playoff national championship.
The 1975 team was led by sophomore quarterback Steve Mariucci,[1] later a head coach in the NFL for nine seasons. The previous season in 1974, the Wildcats were winless at 0–10.[2]
References
- 1 2 "Fumbles cost Boise 24-21". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 30, 1975. p. 3B.
- 1 2 "Winless in '74, then a title in '75". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 14, 1975. p. 10B.
- ↑ "Northern Michigan Football Record Book, Year-By-Year Win-Loss Records" (PDF). Northern Michigan University. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
- ↑ "1975 NCAA Division II National Football Championship Bracket" (PDF). NCAA. NCAA.org. p. 13. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
- ↑ Joe Falls (December 14, 1975). "NMU Rally Wins Camellia Bowl, 16-14". Detroit Free Press. p. 1E.
- ↑ "800 Icy Fans Greet Champ Wildcats". Detroit Free Press. December 15, 1975. p. 4D.
External links
- College Football Data Warehouse – Northern Michigan (1975–1979)