1997 Northwestern State Demons football team

1997 Northwestern State Demons football
Southland co-champion
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Ranking
Sports NetworkNo. 21
Record8–4 (6–1 Southland)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorBradley Dale Peveto (2nd season)
Home stadiumHarry Turpin Stadium
1997 Southland Football League standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 7 McNeese State +^  6 1   13 2  
No. 21 Northwestern State +^  6 1   8 4  
No. 13 Stephen F. Austin  5 2   8 3  
Sam Houston State  3 4   5 6  
Nicholls State  3 4   5 6  
Southwest Texas State  2 5   5 6  
Troy State  2 5   5 6  
Jacksonville State  1 6   1 10  
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network poll

The 1997 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 15th-year head coach Sam Goodwin, the Demons compiled an overall record of 8–4 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, finishing as Southland co-champions. Northwestern State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, before losing to Eastern Washington in the first round. The team played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.