University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
The 1998 Football National Championship Team
- Induction:
- 2018
The 1998 University of Massachusetts football program won the NCAA I-AA/FCS National Championship and finished the year with 12 victories, then the most in program history. The team defeated five nationally ranked opponents over the course of the campaign, including three during the improbable postseason run.
To win the 1998 I-AA/FCS National Championship, the team defeated No. 6-ranked McNeese State, 21-19; Lehigh, 27-21; No. 2 Northwestern State, 41-31 and No. 1 Georgia Southern, 55-43. Over the 15-game season, Massachusetts reset a number of program records, including for points scored (524), total touchdowns (73), total yards (7,074), average yards per play (5.9), passing yards (4,050), completions (306) and first downs (354).
Individually, five Minutemen received recognition as all-America selections, including quarterback Todd Bankhead, wide receiver Jimmy Moore, linebacker Khari Samuel, running back Marcel Shipp and tight end Kerry Taylor. Additionally, head coach Mark Whipple won the 1998 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS/I-AA Coach of the Year Award.
The 1998 University of Massachusetts football team was inducted collectively as part of the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Four lettermen from the 1998 team have been inducted individually as well, including Kole Ayi (UMass Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2014), Todd Bankhead (Class of 2019), Khari Mitchell-Samuel (Class of 2012) and Marcel Shipp (Class of 2009).
To win the 1998 I-AA/FCS National Championship, the team defeated No. 6-ranked McNeese State, 21-19; Lehigh, 27-21; No. 2 Northwestern State, 41-31 and No. 1 Georgia Southern, 55-43. Over the 15-game season, Massachusetts reset a number of program records, including for points scored (524), total touchdowns (73), total yards (7,074), average yards per play (5.9), passing yards (4,050), completions (306) and first downs (354).
Individually, five Minutemen received recognition as all-America selections, including quarterback Todd Bankhead, wide receiver Jimmy Moore, linebacker Khari Samuel, running back Marcel Shipp and tight end Kerry Taylor. Additionally, head coach Mark Whipple won the 1998 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS/I-AA Coach of the Year Award.
The 1998 University of Massachusetts football team was inducted collectively as part of the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Four lettermen from the 1998 team have been inducted individually as well, including Kole Ayi (UMass Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2014), Todd Bankhead (Class of 2019), Khari Mitchell-Samuel (Class of 2012) and Marcel Shipp (Class of 2009).
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