The game was also known as the Pioneer Bowl,[4] a name that had been used starting in 1971 for various NCAA playoff games held in Wichita Falls. The Colonels, making their fourth consecutive appearance in the I-AA championship game, became the first program to capture two I-AA titles, having previously won in 1979.
Teams
The participants of the Championship Game were the finalists of the 1982 I-AA Playoffs, which began with a 12-team bracket.[5]
Eastern Kentucky finished their regular season with an undefeated 10–0 record (7–0 in conference).[6] Ranked first in the final NCAA I-AA in-house poll[7] and seeded first in the tournament, the Colonels received a first-round bye then defeated Idaho and fourth-seed Tennessee State to reach the final. This was the fourth appearance for Eastern Kentucky in a Division I-AA championship game, having won in 1979 and having lost in 1980 and 1981.
Delaware finished their regular season with a 10–1 record; its only loss was an away game at Temple.[8] Ranked third in the final NCAA I-AA in-house poll[7] and seeded third in the tournament, the Fightin' Blue Hens received a first-round bye then defeated Colgate and second-seed Louisiana Tech to reach the final. This was the first appearance for Delaware in a Division I-AA championship game, though the team had recently been the 1979 Division II champion before moving up to Division I-AA in 1980.
† Delaware's attempt to kick the extra point was blocked, but Eastern Kentucky was ruled offside on the play. Delaware then attempted a two-point conversion, with the ball being snapped 1+1⁄2 yards from the end zone.
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