1997 Linfield vs. Willamette football game facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1997 Linfield vs. WillametteFirst Female Athlete to Play and Score |
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The 1997 Linfield vs. Willamette football game was a special college football game. It happened on October 18, 1997. The game was played at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Oregon. The Willamette Bearcats played against the Linfield Wildcats. Willamette won the game with a score of 27 to 0.
This game is famous because of Liz Heaston. She became the first woman ever to play and score points in a college football game. This was a big moment in sports history!
How the Game Played Out
The Willamette team scored first. Rich Rideout ran five yards for a touchdown in the first part of the game.
In the second part, Ardell Bailey scored another touchdown. After this, Liz Heaston stepped onto the field. She kicked her first extra point, adding one more point for Willamette. This happened with less than a minute left in the first half.
The only points in the third part came from Gordo Thompson. He kicked a field goal for Willamette.
In the final part of the game, quarterback Chuck Pinkerton threw a nine-yard pass to Kyle Carlson for another touchdown. Liz Heaston then kicked her second extra point. The game ended with Willamette winning 27 to 0.
What Happened Next
After this game, the Willamette team had a great season. They did not lose any games during the regular season. They even made it to the 1997 NAIA Football National Championship. However, they lost that championship game to the University of Findlay.
The next year, Willamette and other teams in their conference changed leagues. They moved from the NAIA to the NCAA Division III.
Other Amazing Female Players
Before Liz Heaston, some other female athletes almost played in college football games. These included players at Duke and Louisville. But Liz Heaston was the first to actually play and score.
After Liz Heaston, other women also made history in college football. In 2001, Ashley Martin became the second woman to score points in an NCAA college football game. Then, in 2003, Katie Hnida was the first woman to score in a Division I-A bowl game. These women helped show that football is for everyone!
