1997 Linfield vs. Willamette football game
Encyclopedia
The 1997 Linfield vs. Willamette football game was a college football
game between the and the played on October 18, 1997. The game was played at McCulloch Stadium
in Salem, Oregon
. Willamette won the game by a score of 27 to 0. During the game, Liz Heaston
became the first woman to play and score in a college football game.
The only points in the third quarter were from Gordo Thompson's field goal, but in the fourth quarter quarterback Chuck Pinkerton completed a nine-yard pass to Kyle Carlson for a touchdown. Heaston kicked her second extra point in the fourth quarter, and the final score was 27–0
. The next year, WIllamette left the NAIA to join the NCAA Division III.
Prior to this game, female athletes at Duke
and Louisville
had come close to playing in a game but did not. In 2001, Ashley Martin
became the second female athlete to score in a college football game, this time in the NCAA
. In 2003, Katie Hnida
became the first female athlete to score in a Division I-A bowl game
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game between the and the played on October 18, 1997. The game was played at McCulloch Stadium
McCulloch Stadium
McCulloch Stadium is a 2,500-seat outdoor stadium in Salem, Oregon, United States. Built in 1950, the multi-use facility serves as home to Willamette University's football and track & field teams, high school football games, and the Cascade Surge soccer club...
in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
. Willamette won the game by a score of 27 to 0. During the game, Liz Heaston
Liz Heaston
Elizabeth "Liz" Heaston Thompson is an American athlete who is the first woman ever to score in a college football game. She accomplished this feat on October 18, 1997 as a placekicker for the Willamette University Bearcats, which was competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate...
became the first woman to play and score in a college football game.
Game play
Willamette's Rich Rideout ran a 5 yard touchdown in the first quarter, but it was in the second quarter after Ardell Bailey scored on a 2 yard carry that Heaston took the field and kicked her first of two extra points with 57 seconds left in the first half.The only points in the third quarter were from Gordo Thompson's field goal, but in the fourth quarter quarterback Chuck Pinkerton completed a nine-yard pass to Kyle Carlson for a touchdown. Heaston kicked her second extra point in the fourth quarter, and the final score was 27–0
Aftermath
Willamette finished the regular season undefeated and advanced to the 1997 NAIA National Championship, losing to FindlayUniversity of Findlay
The University of Findlay is a private university located in the city of Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. It was affiliated with the Churches of God, General Conference, and was founded in 1882 by the city of Findlay and the Churches of God, General Conference. Findlay offers more...
. The next year, WIllamette left the NAIA to join the NCAA Division III.
Prior to this game, female athletes at Duke
Duke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
and Louisville
Louisville Cardinals football
The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship...
had come close to playing in a game but did not. In 2001, Ashley Martin
Ashley Martin
Ashley Martin is an American athlete who became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I American football game, and one of the first ever to score points in any college football game. She accomplished this feat August 30, 2001 as a placekicker for the Jacksonville State University...
became the second female athlete to score in a college football game, this time in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
. In 2003, Katie Hnida
Katie Hnida
Katharine Anne "Katie" Hnida is an American football player who became the first woman to score in an NCAA Division I-A game, college football's highest level...
became the first female athlete to score in a Division I-A bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
.
See also
- 1997 college football season
- List of historically significant college football games
- Women's American footballWomen's American footballWomen have begun playing full-contact American football. Most leagues play by the same rules as their male counterparts, with one exception: women's leagues use a slightly smaller football. Women primarily play on a semi-professional or amateur level in the United States...