The 1996 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 7, 1996, and concluded with the NCAA Division II Football Championship on December 14, 1996, at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, hosted by the University of North Alabama. The Northern Colorado Bears defeated the Carson–Newman, 23–14, to win their first Division II national title.
The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Jarrett Anderson, running back from Truman.
Conference and program changes
Conference changes Team 1995 conference 1996 conference Jacksonville State D-II independent I-AA independent Mississippi College Gulf South Conference D-II independent Portland State D-II independent Big Sky Conference (I-AA) Saint Joseph's (IN) MIFC D-II independent
Program changes After East Texas State University joined the Texas A&M University System in 1996 and changed its name to Texas A&M University–Commerce, the East Texas State Lions became the Texas A&M–Commerce Lions. After Northeast Missouri State University changed its name to Truman State University in 1996, the Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs became the Truman Bulldogs.
Conference standings
Conference summaries
Conference ChampionsCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Virginia State Eastern Collegiate Football Conference – Salve Regina Gulf South Conference – Valdosta State Lone Star Conference – Texas A&M–Kingsville Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association – Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference – Ferris State North Central Conference – Nebraska–Omaha Northern California Athletic Conference‡ – Cal State Chico Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference – Minnesota–Duluth Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference – Bloomsburg (East), Clarion (West) Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference – Chadron State South Atlantic Conference – Carson-Newman and Catawba Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Albany State West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Fairmont State and Glenville State
Postseason
The 1996 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs were the 23rd 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 tenth time.
Playoff bracket
See also 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season 1996 NCAA Division III football season 1996 NAIA Division I football season 1996 NAIA Division II football season
References