Youngstown State finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (4–2 in conference).[5] Seeded eighth in the playoffs, the Penguins defeated ninth-seed
Hampton, first-seed
Villanova, and third-seed
Eastern Washington to reach the final. This was the fifth appearance for Youngstown State in a Division I-AA championship game, having won three titles (1991, 1993, and 1994) against one loss (1992).
McNeese State finished their regular season with a 10–1 record (6–1 in conference).[6] The Cowboys, seeded sixth, defeated 11-seed
Montana, second-seed
Western Illinois, and fourth-seed
Delaware to reach the final. This was the first appearance for McNeese State in a Division I-AA championship game.
Youngstown State finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (4–2 in conference).[5] Seeded eighth in the playoffs, the Penguins defeated ninth-seed
Hampton, first-seed
Villanova, and third-seed
Eastern Washington to reach the final. This was the fifth appearance for Youngstown State in a Division I-AA championship game, having won three titles (1991, 1993, and 1994) against one loss (1992).
McNeese State finished their regular season with a 10–1 record (6–1 in conference).[6] The Cowboys, seeded sixth, defeated 11-seed
Montana, second-seed
Western Illinois, and fourth-seed
Delaware to reach the final. This was the first appearance for McNeese State in a Division I-AA championship game.