1986 Central State Marauders football team

The 1986 Central State Marauders football team represented Central State University as an independent during the 1986 NCAA Division II football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Billy Joe, the Marauders compiled an overall record of 10–1–1. At the conclusion of the season, the Marauders were also recognized as black college national champion.

1986 Central State Marauders football
Black college national champion
NCAA Division II Semifinal, L 12–35 vs. North Dakota State
Conference	Independent
Record	10–1–1
Head coach	Billy Joe (6th season)
Home stadium	McPherson Stadium
Seasons ← 1985 1987 →

1986 NCAA Division II independents football records

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 4 Central State (OH) ^			–					10	–	1	–	1
No. T–18 New Haven			–					8	–	2	–	0
No. 7 Towson State ^			–					8	–	3	–	1
Southern Connecticut State			–					7	–	3	–	0
American International			–					6	–	4	–	0
UCF			–					6	–	5	–	0
Northern Michigan			–					5	–	5	–	0
Saint Mary's			–					5	–	5	–	0
Springfield			–					4	–	5	–	0
Michigan Tech			–					3	–	6	–	0
Kentucky State			–					1	–	9	–	0
Liberty			–					1	–	9	–	0
Central Connecticut			–					0	–	10	–	0
^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 6	at Saginaw Valley State		Wickes Stadium Saginaw, MI	W 41–39	2,800	[1]
September 20	Winston-Salem State	No. 6	McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH	W 35–8	6,200	[2]
September 27	Ferris State	No. 6	McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH	W 45–31	2,500	[3]
October 4	at Lincoln (MO)	No. T–5	Reed Stadium Jefferson City, MO	W 65–6	300	[4]
October 11	vs. Florida A&M	No. 5	Hoosier Dome Indianapolis, IN (Circle City Classic)	W 41–3	41,002	[5]
October 18	Kentucky State	No. 5	McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH	W 63–7	8,500	[6]
October 25	at Hillsdale	No. 5	Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium Hillsdale, MI	W 28–8	1,500	[7]
November 1	Wayne State (MI)	No. 4	McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH	W 28–7	3,500	[8]
November 8	at Alabama A&M	No. 3	Milton Frank Stadium Huntsville, AL	T 10–10	2,000	[9]
November 15	Northwest Missouri State	No. 4	McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH	W 36–0	1,500	[10]
November 28	at No. 7 Towson State	No. 4	McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH (NCAA Division II First Round)	W 31–0	2,500	[11]
December 6	at No. 1 North Dakota State	No. 4	Dacotah Field Fargo, ND (NCAA Division II Semifinal)	L 12–35	12,380	[12]
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

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