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Adams State posted a 10-3-1 record under Hall of Fame coach Jeff Geiser who led the then-Indians to the NAIA Division I Championship game against Carson-Newman (Tenn.). The journey to the championship began with a 14-10 opening round playoff win on the road against Emporia State. Momentum carried into a second round playoff road game against Southeastern Oklahoma where Adams State cruised to a 38-7 win. After back-to-back road games, Adams State returned to the friendly confines of Rex Stadium in Alamosa to host Pittsburg State in the NAIA semifinal. With a 13-10 win, Adams State secured the program's first-ever trip to a national championship game.
Team success led Mike McAnnich, Alex Bajza, Scott Wiedeman and Greg Maul to All-American honors. The aforementioned group, along with Chris Cembalisty, were also named First Team All-RMAC performers.
The 1988 campaign saw several notable individual accomplishments highlighted by a single-season school record 13 interceptions by Wiedeman. McAnnich added 115 tackles as Darren Smith (9) and Maul (8) combined for 17 sacks to bolster the defensive unit.
The offense was led by quarterback Bobby Saiz who tallied single-season records for completions (231), passing yards (3,916), touchdowns (33), and total yards (4,142). Saiz went on to lead all NAIA players in total offense and passing. Saiz often targeted Bajza as his top receiving threat in 1988 as Bajza led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (862), and touchdowns (10).
