1998 Northwestern State Demons football team

1998 Northwestern State Demons football
Southland champion
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Ranking
Sports NetworkNo. 3
Record11–3 (6–1 Southland)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorBradley Dale Peveto (3rd season)
Home stadiumHarry Turpin Stadium
Seasons
← 1997
1999 →
1998 Southland Football League standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 3 Northwestern State $^   6 1     11 3  
No. 8 McNeese State ^   5 2     9 3  
No. 13 Troy State ^   5 2     8 4  
Jacksonville State   4 3     7 4  
Nicholls State   3 4     4 7  
Southwest Texas State   2 5     4 7  
Stephen F. Austin   2 5     3 8  
Sam Houston State   1 6     3 8  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network poll

The 1998 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 16th-year head coach Sam Goodwin, the Demons compiled an overall record of 11–3 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, winning the Southland title. Northwestern State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where the Demons beat Illinois State in the first round and Appalachian State in the quarterfinals before losing to the eventual national champion, UMass in the semifinals. The team played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.