In their fourth year under head coach Bill Rademacher, the Wildcats compiled a record of 11–1.
1 in the final NCAA Division II Football Committee poll at the end of the regular season.
Northern Michigan advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, where the Wildcats defeated Elizabeth City State in the quarterfinals before and losing to Southwest Texas State in the semifinals.
[2][3] He was also the national Division II scoring champion with 21 touchdowns for 126 points in regular-season games.
[5] Middle guard Curt Wojan led the team in tackles.