| Year: | 1997 |
| Team: | Youngstown State Penguins |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Gateway Football Conference |
| Short Conf: | Gateway |
| Tsnrank: | 4 |
| Record: | 13–2 |
| Conf Record: | 4–2 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Tressel |
| Hc Year: | 12th |
| Stadium: | Stambaugh Stadium |
| Champion: | NCAA Division I-AA champion |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game |
| Bowl Result: | W 10–9 vs. McNeese State |
The 1997 Youngstown State Penguins football team was an American football team represented Youngstown State University in the Gateway Football Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their 12th season under head coach Jim Tressel, the team compiled a 13–2 record (4–2 against conference opponents) and defeated McNeese State in the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game.[1] It was Youngstown State's fourth national championship in seven years.
Quarterback Demond Tidwell received the team's most valuable player award.[2] The team's statistical leaders included Tidwell with 1,961 passing yards, Jack Andreadis with 1,057 rushing yards and 1,688 all-purpose yards, and Adrian Brown with 122 points.[3]