Missouri Valley Football Conference
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| ILLINOIS STATE |
INDIANA STATE |
MISSOURI STATE |
| "Redbirds" |
"Sycamores" |
"Bears" |
| Normal, IL |
Terre Haute, IN |
Springfield, MO |
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| MURRAY STATE |
NORTH DAKOTA |
NORTH DAKOTA STATE |
| "Racers" |
"Fighting Hawks" |
"Bison" |
| Murray, KY |
Grand Forks, ND |
Fargo, ND |
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| NORTHERN IOWA |
SOUTH DAKOTA |
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE |
| "Panthers" |
"Coyotes" |
"Jackrabbits" |
| Cedar Falls, IA |
Vermillion, SD |
Brookings, SD |
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| SOUTHERN ILLINOIS |
YOUNGSTOWN STATE |
| "Salukis" |
"Penguins" |
| Carbondale, IL |
Youngstown, OH |
Historical Helmets
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1969 |
? - 1968; 1970 - 1971 |
1972 - 1979 |
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| 1980 - 1981 |
1982 - 1987 |
1988 - 1993 |
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| 1994 - 1995 |
November 17, 2018 |
September 4, 2021 |
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| October 2, 2021 |
October 16, 2021 |
November 6, 2021;
November 13, 2021 |
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| November 20, 2021 |
October 1, 2022 |
October 29, 2022 |
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The photograph below indicates that ISU used the college football centennial "100" logo in 1969; the colors are unknown.
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INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1966 - 1967 |
1968 |
1969 - 1971 |
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*see note 1 below |
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| 1972 - 1973 |
1974 - 1977 |
1978 - 1989 |
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| 1990 - 1998 |
1999 - 2000 |
2001 - 2004 |
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| 2005 - 2007 |
October 17, 2009 |
2009 (late season) |
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*see note 2 below |
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2008 - 2009 (early season);
2010 - 2013 |
2014 - 2016 |
2017 - 2019 |
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| 2021 - |
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*1 In 1969 the circular logo was worn on the left sides of the helmets; on the right sides was worn a version of the "100" football centennial logo. I do not yet know what colors were used in ISU's version of this logo, but the football-shape was of some dark color with a white outline and with white numerals.
*2 This design was used during the 2009 road game at Illinois State.
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MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1954 - 1964 |
1965 - 1967
(Offense) |
1965 - 1967
(Defense) |
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*see note 1 below |
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| 1976 - 1977? |
1978? - 1980 |
1981 |
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| 1982 - 1983 |
1984 - 1986 |
1987 |
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| 1988 - 1993 |
1994 - 1995 |
1996 |
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| 1997 - 1999 |
2000 - 2004 |
2005 - 2009 |
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| 'B' |
'C' |
'A' |
| 2014 |
2014 |
2010 - 2016 |
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| 'D' |
'E' |
'F' |
| 2015 - 2016 |
2015 - 2016 |
2015 - 2018 |
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| 'G' |
'H' |
'I' |
| 2016 |
2017 - 2018 |
2017 - 2018 |
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| 'J' |
'K' |
'L' |
| 2018 - 2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
| *see notes 2 and 3 below |
*see notes 2 and 4 below |
*see notes 2 and 5 below |
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| 'M' |
'N' |
'O' |
| 2019 |
2020 - 2022 |
2023 - |
| *see notes 2 and 6 below |
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During recent years Missouri State has used the following sequences of helmet designs:
- 2023: O-O-P; P-O-O; P-O-O; P-P
- 2020-22: N (all games)
- 2019: K-K-J; K-L-J; J-M-J; K-K
- 2018: F-F-J; F-J-F; J-H-F; I-J
- 2017: F-F-F; F-F-F; H-F-F; I-I
- 2016: D-A-A; D-E-A; A-G-A; F-A
- 2015: D-D-A; D-A-D; A-E-A; F-D
- 2014: A-A-A; A-B-A; A-C-C; A-A-A
The name of this university was Southwest Missouri State University until 2005.
*1 The defensive unit was known as the "Head Hunters" during this period, and that phrase appeared at the bottom of the logo (not legible at this size).
*2 Each of these designs has the number 20 on the left side of each helmet; I could locate no specific documentation as to why this was implemented, but this was almost certainly done in memory of team member Richard Nelson, who was murdered in Las Vegas in January 2017; 20 had been Nelson's uniform number at Missouri State.
*3 On the right side of this design is a white 'bear face' logo (as represented below).
*4 On the right side of this design is a maroon 'bear face' logo (like that on both sides of design 'F').
*5 On the right side of this design is a pink 'bear face' logo (like that on both sides of design 'H').
*6 On the right side of this design is a 'camouflage' 'bear face' logo (as represented below).
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MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1960 - 1961 |
1963 |
1962; 1964 |
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| 1965 - 1966 |
1967 - 1977 |
1978 - 1981 |
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| 1988 - 1989 |
1990 |
1991 - 1992? |
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| 1993 - 1995 |
1996 |
1997 - 1999 |
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| 2000 - 2005 |
2006 - 2009 |
2010 |
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| 2011 - 2012 |
2013 |
2014 - 2015 |
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| 2016 - 2019 |
2020* - 2021 |
2022 - 2023 |
| *see note 1 below |
*see note 2 below |
*see note 3 below |
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| 2024 - |
October 16, 2024 |
October 26, 2024 |
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Murray State was one of the earlier teams to use a helmet logo; in 1963 a "horse head" was apparently worn during most of the team's games (photograph below). I have been unable to locate any clearer photograph of this design.
*1 In 2016 and 2017 the "M" logo was worn on the left side only of this design; uniform numbers were worn on the right side. In 2018 and 2019 the "M" logo was worn on both sides.
*2 Uniform numbers are worn on the left side only of this design; the right side is "blank".
*3 The "M" logo is present on the left side only of this design; the right side is usually "blank" but various logos have been worn on the right side during five games in 2022 and 2023 (as depicted below).
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October 29, 2022 -
November 19, 2022 |
October 14, 2023 |
November 4, 2023 |
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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
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| ? - 1968 |
1969 - 1970 |
1971 - 1985 |
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| 1986 - 1989 |
1993 - 2008 |
2009 - 2015 |
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'A' |
| 2016 - 2019 |
2020* - 2022 |
2023 - |
| *see note 1 below |
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| 'B' |
'C' |
'D' |
| 2023 - |
2023 - |
2023 - |
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In 2023 North Dakota used four of the above helmet designs in the following sequence: A-A-A; A-A-B; A-C-C; D-A-A (the last game being an FCS playoff game vs Sacramento State).
*1 This design has uniform numerals on its left side only; the right side has an "ND" logo (as depicted below).
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NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1969 |
1964; 1966 - 1977 |
1978 |
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'B' |
| 1979 - 1998 |
1999 - 2011 |
2015 - |
| *see note 1 below |
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During recent years NDSU has used the following sequences of helmet designs:
- 2023: A-A-A; A-A-A; A-A-A; B-B-B; B-B-B (the last four games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Drake, at Montana State, at South Dakota, and at Montana)
- 2022: A-A-A; A-A-A; A-A-A; A-B-A; B-B-B (the last four games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Montana, vs Samford, vs Incarnate Word, and vs South Dakota State in the championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2021: C-A-A; A-A-A; A-A-A; A-B-A; B-B-B (the last three games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Southern Illinois, vs East Tennessee State, vs James Madison, and vs Montana State in the championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2020*: A (entire season)
- 2019: A-A-A; A-A-A; B-B-A; B-A-A; A-B-B; B (the last four games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Nicholls, vs Illinois State, vs Montana State, and vs James Madison in the championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2018: A-A-A; A-A-A; A-A-B; A-A-A; A-B-B (the last four games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Montana State, vs Colgate, vs South Dakota State, and vs Eastern Washington in the championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2017: A-B-A; A-A-A; B-A-A; B-A-A; A-B-B (the last four games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs San Diego, vs Wofford, vs Sam Houston State, and vs James Madison in the championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2016: A-A-A; A-A-A; A-A-B; A-B-A; B-A (the last three games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs San Diego, vs South Dakota State, and vs James Madison)
- 2015: A-A-A; A-A-A; A-A-B; A-A-A; B-A-B (the last four games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Montana, vs Northern Iowa, vs Richmond, and vs Jacksonville State in the championship game at Frisco, TX)
This team's helmet design history is fairly clear with a few exceptions; below are some cropped photographs from the university's archives (at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ndsu-university-archives/albums/with/72157627911057859 ) showing a few other designs for which only partial information has been located:
The first photograph dates from the early 1960s when NDSU wore uniform numbers on the team's helmets. In all likelihood these are green numbers on yellow helmets, but no color photographs have yet been located to confirm the suspected colors. Two photographs from 1963 show the numbers apparently no longer in use, with NDSU appearing to use "plain" probably yellow helmets with probably white/green/white middle stripes.
The standing bison logo with small letters "NDSU" on its side was apparently first used in 1964. Photographs dated 1965 (such as the two middle ones above) appear to show a slightly different logo in use - the interior of the bison appears to be largely light in color rather than dark (green) as on the 1964 & 1966-1977 design. Also there is no apparent sign of the lettering "NDSU" within. I would greatly appreciate any clearer photographs of this design.
The fourth photograph above shows the college football centennial logo in use during at least one game in 1969 (vs Montana in the Camellia Bowl). As is usually the case the colors used within the logo are unknown at present, and the logo was apparently used inconsistently on different helmets (being on the left side only in some cases, and on the right side only on other helmets).
The standing bison logo was used through 1977. A new helmet logo was adopted in 1978; the facemask color from this first year is unknown but it would appear to be a light color (probably gray or yellow) rather than the green color which was adopted in 1979. Any color photographs from 1978 would be appreciated.
*1 Gray facemasks may have been used with this design during its earlier years of use.
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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
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| 1976 - 1979?; 1981? |
1980 |
c.1980s |
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| 1990 - 1996 |
1997 - 2000 |
2001 |
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| October 27, 2012 |
2002 - 2013 |
November 1, 2014 |
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October 17, 2015;
October 24, 2015 |
2014 - 2018 |
2019 - 2020* |
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
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| c.1960s |
c.early 1970s |
c.late 1970s |
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| mid 1980s |
1989 - 1990 |
1991 |
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| 1992 - 1993 |
c.1996 |
1998 only? |
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| 1999 only? |
? - 2003 |
2004 - 2010 |
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| 'D' |
'A' |
'B' |
November 22, 2014;
2015 |
2011 - 2015 |
2015 - |
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| 'C' |
'E' |
'F' |
| 2016 - |
2018 - |
2019 - |
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| 'G' |
'H' |
'I' |
| 2023 - |
2024 - |
2024 - |
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*see note 1 below |
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During recent years South Dakota has used the following sequences of helmet designs:
- 2023: E-E-E; C-C-E; C-E-C; G-E-E; C (the last two games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Sacramento State and vs North Dakota State)
- 2022: C-C-E; E-C-C; C-C-E; E-E
- 2021: C-E-C; C-C-E; C-F-C; E-C-E
- 2020: C-C-E; C
- 2019: E-C-E; C-C-C; C-E-E; F-C-E
- 2018: C-E-C; C-C-E; C-C-C; E-E
- 2017: C-C-A; C-C-A; C-C-C; C-A-C; C (the last two games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games at Nicholls and at Sam Houston State)
- 2016: A-C-C; A-C-A; C-C-A; C-A
- 2015: A-A-A; D-A-A; A-A-B; B-B
*1 Uniform numbers are worn on the left side only of this design; a logo is present on the right side (as represented below).
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SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1972 - 1973; 1977 |
1978 |
1979 - 1980 |
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| 1981 - 1983 |
1984 - 1995 |
1996 - 2004 |
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'A' |
'B' |
| 2005 - 2010 |
? - 2004 |
2005 - 2010 |
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*see note 1 below |
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| 'C' |
'D' |
'E' |
| 2016 |
2016 - 2018 |
2016 |
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*see note 2 below |
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| 'F' |
'G' |
'H' |
| 2021 - |
2022 - |
2023 - |
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During recent years SDSU has used the following sequences of helmet designs:
- 2023: G-H-G; G-G-F; F-I-I; I-G-G; G-G-I (the last four games being FCS playoff games vs Mercer, vs Villanova, vs Albany, and vs Montana in the FCS championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2022: F-G-G; G-F-F; G-F-G; G-G-G; G-G-G (the last four games being FCS playoff games vs Delaware, vs Holy Cross, vs Montana State, and vs North Dakota State in the FCS championship game at Frisco, TX)
- 2021: F (entire season)
- 2019 - 2020: A (all games)
- 2018: A-A-D; D-B-B; B-B-B; B-B-B; B (the last three games being FCS playoff games vs Duquesne, at Kennesaw State, and at North Dakota State; 'A' was also used during the September 1 game at Iowa State which was cancelled with 10:55 remaining in the First Quarter due to lightning)
- 2017: B-B-B; B-A-A; D-D-D; B-B-B; B-B (the last three games being FCS playoff games vs Northern Iowa, vs New Hampshire, and at James Madison)
- 2016: B-B-B; C-A-D; E-A-A; B-B-E; A (the last two games being FCS playoff games vs Villanova and at North Dakota State)
- 2015: A-A-A; A-A-A; B-B-B; B-B-B (the last game being an FCS playoff game at Montana)
SDSU used a new helmet logo on October 25, 2014 (vs Youngstown State - see photo below); I would appreciate a copy of the artwork for the "JACKS" logo used during this game.
*1 This design has the "rabbit head" on its left side only; the right side has yellow uniform numerals (as represented below).
*2 This design has the "rabbit head" on its left side only; the right side has white uniform numerals (as represented below).
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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
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| ? - 1976 |
1977 |
1978 - 1982 |
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| 1983 |
1984 - ? |
c.late 1980s |
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| c.mid 1990s |
? - 2000 |
2001 - 2003 |
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'A' |
| 2004 - 2011 |
2012 - 2015 |
2016 - 2018 |
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*see note 1 below |
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| 'B' |
'C' |
'D' |
| 2018 |
2019 - |
2019 - |
| *see note 1 below |
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| 'E' |
'F' |
'G' |
| 2021 - |
2021 - |
2021 - |
| *see note 1 below |
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*see note 1 below |
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| 'H' |
'I' |
'J' |
| 2021 - |
2021 - |
2022 - |
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| 'K' |
'L' |
'M' |
| 2022 - |
2023 - |
2023 - |
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| 'N' |
'O' |
'P' |
| 2023 - |
2023 - |
2023 - |
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SIU used five different new helmet designs in 2023, two of which featured a new logo - the team name 'Salukis' in a script style (photograph below). Efforts to locate the artwork for this new logo - which will be necessary in order to add these designs to the website - have been unsuccessful thus far. The new logo was worn on both maroon and white helmets in 2023.
During recent years SIU has used the following sequences of helmet designs:
- 2023: L-M-L; L-L-N; O-L-P; P-P-L; P (the last game two games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Nicholls and at Idaho)
- 2022: J-F-I; J-J-I; I-J-K; J-J
- 2021: E-F-G; G-C-E; C-E-H; H-G-G; I (the last two games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games at South Dakota and at North Dakota State)
- 2020: D-C-C; C-C-C; D-C-C; C (the last two games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games at Weber State and at South Dakota State)
- 2019: C-D-C; D-C-C; D-C-D; C-C-D
- 2018: A-A-B; A-B-A; A-B-A; B-B
*1 The right side of each of these designs differs from the left side as depicted below.
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YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
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| 1984 - 1985 |
1986 - 1988 |
November 18, 2017 |
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| 'F' |
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'A' |
| October 20, 2018 |
November 10, 2018 |
1989 - 2011; 2015 - |
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| 'B' |
'C' |
'D' |
| 2012 - 2014; 2019 - |
2019 |
2019 |
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*see note 1 below |
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| 'E' |
'G' |
|
November 7, 2015;
November 12, 2016;
2019 |
2022 - |
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During recent years YSU has used the following sequences of helmet designs:
- 2023: A-A-A; A-A-A; G-G-G; G-G-G; G (the last two games being NCAA Division I-FCS playoff games vs Duquesne and at Villanova)
- 2022: A-A-A; A-F-G; G-G-G; G-G
- 2021: A-E-A; A-A-A; A-A-A; A
- 2020*: A (entire season)
- 2019: A-A-B; C-A-B; A-A-D; B-A-E
*1 Uniform numbers are worn on the left side only of this design; a logo is present on the right side (as depicted below).
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