The 1973 NAIA Division I football season was the 18th season of
college football sponsored by the
NAIA and the fourth season of the league's two-division structure.
Abilene Christian defeated
Elon in the Champion Bowl, 42–14, to win their first NAIA national title.[2]
Conference realignment
Conference changes
This was the final season for the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference. After sixty-five season of football dating back to
1929, the OCC disbanded after the end of play, with six of its members subsequently departing to form the
Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference for the 1974 season.