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.[2]
The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Jarrett Anderson, running back from Truman.
After Northeast Missouri State University changed its name to Truman State University in 1996, the Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs became the Truman Bulldogs.[4]
Conference standings[]
1996 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Rankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll
Conference summaries[]
See also: List of NCAA Division II football seasons
Conference Champions
Central 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[]
1996 NCAA Division II Football Championship
Teams
16
Finals Site
Braly Municipal Stadium
Florence, AL
Champion
Northern Colorado
(1st title, title game)
Runner-up
Carson–Newman
(1st title game)
Semifinalists
Clarion
UC Davis
Winning coach
championship
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.