SWC75
Bored Historian
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NCAA Division 2
The teams:
(The bracket on the NCAA site did have seed numbers so I used them below)
EAST
1- Notre Dame (Ohio) 11-0 (390-193) ranked 11th post season: 0-0
2- LIU-Post (NY) 10-0 (316-122) ranked 13th post season: 2-2
3- West Chester State (Pa) 10-0 (393-147) ranked 8th post season: 20-22
4- Kutztown State (Pa) 9-1 (392-243) ranked 20th post season: 2-3
lost to West Chester 21-28
5- Hillsdale (Mi) 9-2 (358-215) ranked 23rd post season: 8-9-1 (1)
lost to Michigan Tech 30-31 and Indianapolis 24-34
6- New Haven (Cn) 8-2 (313-193) unranked post season: 8-6
lost to Bryant 31-41 and LIU-Post 13-17
7- Slippery Rock (Pa) 9-2 (425-239) unranked post season: 8-10
lost to Shippensburg 21-25 and West Chester 10-33
NORTH
1- Ouachita Baptist (Ark) 11-0 (382-144) ranked 4th post season: 2-5
2- Ferris State (Mich) 11-0 (503-212) ranked 2nd post season: 11-9
3- Grand Valley State (Mich) 10-1 (376-187) ranked 7th post season: 45-14 (4)
lost to Ferris State 31-35
4- Indianapolis (Ind) 9-1 (337-146) ranked 12th post season: 1-5
lost to Grand Valley 7-30
5- Fort Hays State (Kansas) 9-2 (338-188) ranked 19th post season: 0-3
lost to Missouri Western 13-23 and Emporia State 24-28
6- Northwest Missouri 9-2 (413-146) ranked 18th post season: 47-16 (6)
lost to Central Oklahoma 21-31 and Fort Hays State 16-17
7- Harding (Ark) 9-2 (401-114) ranked 21st post season: 6-7
lost to Southern Arkansas 23-28 and Ouachita Baptist 3-7
SOUTH
1- Valdosta State (Ga) 10-0 (532-108) ranked 3rd post season: 22-12 (3)
2- West Georgia 10-1 (390-210) ranked 10th post season: 9-9 (1)
lost to Valdosta State 31-47
3- Lenoir Rhyne (NC) 10-1 (489-226) ranked 17th post season: 9-7 (1)
lost to West Alabama 32-36
4- Bowie State (Md) 9-2 (344-252) unranked post season: 0-3
lost to Wagner 23-40 and Chowan 23-42
5- West Alabama 8-3 (352-275) unranked post season: 4-6 (1)
lost to Valdosta State 24-58, North Greenville 16-20 and west Georgia 25-27
6- Florida Tech 8-3 (331-232) unranked post season: 0-1
lost to West Georgia 21-30, Valdosta State 21-51 and West Alabama 22-29
7- Wingate (NC) 8-3 (364-209) unranked post season: 1-1
lost to Carson-Newman 14-31, Lenoir Rhyne 24-31 and Florida Tech 23-26
WEST
1- Mankato State (Minn) 11-0 (493-176) ranked 1st post season: 9-10
2- Tarleton State (Tex) 10-0 (483-173) ranked 6th post season: 0-0
3- Minnesota-Duluth 11-0 (473-116) ranked 5th post season: 14-9 (2)
4- Colorado Mines 10-1 (549-264) ranked 14th post season: 1-3
lost to Dixie State 45-52
5- Pueblo State (Colo) 10-1 (427-131) ranked 9th post season: 7-6 (1)
lost to Colorado Mines 21-35
6- Texas A&M- Commerce 9-2 (364-212) ranked 15th post season: 11-5 (1)
lost to Pueblo State 13-23 and Tarleton State 21-47
7- Azusa Pacific (Cal) 8-3 (330-200) ranked 24th post season: 9-8 (1)
lost to North Alabama 35-37, Central Washington 31-35 and Colorado Mines 27-42
FIRST ROUND
Hillsdale 40 Kutztown 26
Charger Football Advances in NCAA Playoffs With 40-26 Win at Kutztown
Kutztown was rolling along with a 20-3 second quarter lead, having out-gained Hillsdale by a whopping 322-99. The rest of the game was 6-37. Three short scoring drives in the third period gave the Chargers the lead they never surrendered. The Golden Bears still won the yardage battle, 537-463 but had trouble finishing drives in the second half. Chance Stewart passed for 305 yards and 3 scores for the winners. Trey Bock had 8 catches for 170 yards and 2 scores, including the 60 yarder that gave his the lead. Collin DiGalbo had 378 and 2 for the losers.
Slippery Rock 20 LIU Post 14
Rock upends #13 LIU Post 20-14 - Slippery Rock University Athletics
Everybody’s favorite small college team advanced in the playoffs due to a balanced offense that produced 192 rushing yards and 163 passing. LIU-Post passed for 333 yards but rushed for only 10. “The Rock” scored on the first play, a 75 yard screen pass, then overcame two interceptions in their own territory to hold the pioneers to a field goal, then increased the lead to 17-3 and held on to win. Wes Hills carried 33 times for 168 yards and a score.
New Haven 35 West Chester 28
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE! New Haven Takes Down No. 8 West Chester, Will Host Slippery Rock Next Weekend - University of New Haven Athletics
Ajee Patterson passed for three scores and ran for two more, the last coming on a quarterback sneak with 4:44 left to give the Chargers the victory. They scored two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to overcome a 21-28 deficit. They out-gained the Golden Rams 406-329, passing for 265 yards.
Indianapolis 38 Fort Hays State 27
Indianapolis Outlasts FHSU, 38-27, in Back-and-Forth Battle - FHSU Athletics
Indianapolis book-ended a 14-0 start and a 21-3 finish to advance over Fort Hays State. The Greyhounds used a balanced attack with 249 yards rushing and 182 passing to overcome 338 yards of passing from the Tigers, who only rushed for 78 yards.
Ferris State 21 Harding 19
Ferris State rolls early, holds on late against Harding in playoff opener
Ferris State built up a 21-0 second quarter lead and barely held on to win over charging Harding. The Bison missed their first conversion and two subsequent attempts at a two point conversion and that was the margin of defeat. The Bulldogs, who came into the game averaging 486 yards a game, were held to a season-low 153 yards.
Northwest Missouri 42 Grand Valley State 17
Northwest pummels Grand Valley State, 42-17
Northwest Missouri, winner of five previous DII championships, beat Grand Valley, who has four titles, including two won against the bearcats back when Brian Kelly was their coach. “Northwest rushed for 356 yards and the Bearcat defense held the Lakers to 128 yards passing. GVSU came into the game averaging nearly 270 yards per game through the air.” The bearcats pulled away from a 14-10 halftime score. Isaiah Strayhorn rushed for 171 yards a two scores, including an 84 yarder. Josh Caldwell had 147 yard and two 28 yard TD runs.
Bowie State 41 West Alabama 35
Bowie State Holds Off West Alabama 41-35 For NCAA Region 2 First Round Win - Bowie State University Athletics
Yes, Bowie State is “BSU”, (and not Bouie State). They won a wild, back and fourth game, falling behind 0-7, taking a 14-7 lead, getting tied at 14, moving forward to a 27-14 lead before giving up two touchdowns and falling behind again early in the fourth quarter. Before a final surge that gave them a 41-28 lead. Quarterback Amir Hall “finished the game completing 31-of-48 passes for 360 yards and one touchdown also paced Bowie State in rushing yards with 51 and one score.“
Wingate 41 West Georgia 31
HOW ‘BOUT THEM ‘DOGS! Wingate knocks off #10 West Georgia in play-off opener for seventh straight win - Wingate University Athletics
In a similar game on the scoreboard, this set of Bulldogs fell behind 0-7, rallied to take a 20-7, held on for a 20-17 halftime score, pushed it to 27-17 in the third quarter only to fall behind again 27-31 before closing it out with two fourth quarter touchdowns. The big difference is that this game was about running more than passing and about defense as much as offense. Wingate ran for 245 yards and their defense “came up huge with six quarterback sacks and two interceptions”.
Lenoir-Rhyne 43 Florida Tech 21
Football Advances Past Florida Tech in NCAA Playoffs; Will Host Wingate Next Saturday - Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics
The Bears won their 500th game and 11th in a row in a blow-out, rolling to a 27-7 halftime lead and then forcing three turnovers in tech’s first three possessions of the second half to push it to 40-7 before coasting home with the victory.
Pueblo State 37 Colorado Mines 17
Defense stands tall in 37-17 playoff victory at Mines - Colorado State University - Pueblo
The “Thunderwolves” held Mines to 37 yards rushing. They had 4 takeaways, 7 sacks and 11 TFLs. Pueblo gained only 7 more yards but built a 24-3 third quarter lead and matched the Miners the rest of the way.
Tarleton State 58 Azusa Pacific 0
Tarleton State 58, Azusa 0: Texans cruise to record-breaking DII playoff opener
This one was never a contest as Tarleton led 37-0 at halftime. The Texans outgained the toothless Cougars 579-217 including 355-1 on the ground.
Texas A&M Commerce 33 Minnesota-Duluth 17
Defense and special teams propel Lions to 33-17 win at Minnesota Duluth in regional quarterfinal - Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletics
Defending DII champions Commerce, (once known as East Texas State), showed Duluth that they still had what it takes. Their “defense limited the Bulldogs to 188 total yards and 13 first downs in the game. The Bulldog offense only scored three points... UMD entered the game averaging 470.4 yards of offense.” Their lions only gained 279 yards of their own. They took the lead for good shortly before halftime on a 79 yard punt return, then dominated a 16-3 second half.
SECOND ROUND
Notre Dame 19 Hillsdale 14
NDC Edges Hillsdale, 19-14
An early goal line stand shook Notre Dame out of its doldrums, (four punts on the first four possessions) and they drive 82 yards for a field goal, and then followed up with a touchdown just before the half for a 10-0 lead. Hillsdale seemed to take over in the second half, taking a 14-10 lead. The Chargers drove to the ND five but a fumble gave the Falcons new life. A 38 ayrd pass got them out of trouble and they drove for a field goal. “On the following NDC drive, the Falcons scored on a 26-yard pass from (Chris) Brimm to Markus Hood… Hillsdale got the ball back with 2:15 to play starting at its own 25. 14 plays later, the Chargers moved the ball down to the NDC 14, but came up short.”
Slippery Rock 59 New Haven 20
Rock routs New Haven 59-20 in round two - Slippery Rock University Athletics
Slippery Rock slipped past New Haven rushing for 263 yards and passing for 263 yards. A 28-10 second quarter gave the Rock a 35-10 halftime lead and the Chargers never got any closer than that.
Ouachita Baptist 35 Indianapolis 7
OBU shows off balanced attack
Ouachita Baptist University rushed for 303 yards but also threw two touchdown passes in the rout. The Baptists scored just before halftime to turn a 14-7 games into a 21-7 halftime lead. Two explosive plays – a 64 yard pass and a 63 yard run closed out the scoring in the third quarter.
Ferris State 27 Northwest Missouri 21
Ferris State Beats D2 Power Northwest Missouri State To Advance To Super Region Championship Game
The NW Missouri Bearcats have been the team to beat in DII, winning titles in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Ferris State beat them, probably to the relief of the rest of the division. The Bulldogs dominated the game more than the score indicated, outgaining the bearcats 608-300, including an edge of 321-31 in the ground. They built up a 20-0 before holding on to win. NWM got a pick six, another turnover, a 117-28 edge in return yardage and a 40.3-29.0 edge in average punting to make it close.
Valdosta State 66 Bowie State 16
http://www.wtxl.com/sports/no-blaze...cle_296b5d58-f071-11e8-925c-27129197ee44.html
Bowie wasn’t sharp and Valdosta was as the Blazers rolled after falling behind 0-7 and 7-10. They scored the game’s last 45 points. They had 549 yards to 310 and were +3 in turnovers. Two different quarterbacks threw two TD passes each and four different runners scored a touchdown each.
Lenoir Rhyne 21 Wingate 17
https://lrbears.com/news/2018/11/24...ast-wingate-and-on-to-the-regional-final.aspx
The Bears, who averaged 44 points a game going into this one, were shut out in the first half. Three second half scoring drives totaling 31 plays turned the game around for them.
Mankato State 24 Pueblo State 10
https://msumavericks.com/news/2018/...ueblo-in-second-round-of-ncaa-tournament.aspx
After a scoreless first quarter, the Mavericks ground out 24 points on four drives totaling 39 plays. The Thunder5wolves came back with 10 third quarter points but the fourth quarter was a scoreless as the first.
Tarleton State 34 Texas A&M Commerce 28
https://www.texasfootball.com/artic...nding-dii-champions?ref=article_preview_title
Commerce’s championship run ended as Tarleton won the battle of Texas. A late fumble recovery closed it out. Ben Holmes, with a brace on his leg, passed for 206 yards and ran for 94 more. “His leg continued to bother him throughout the game and in a moment rarely seen in sports, an offensive lineman would carry Holmes down the field to the line of scrimmage after a long play for the Texans.”
QUARTERFINALS
Notre Dame 21 Slippery Rock 17
https://notredamefalcons.com/news/2...slippery-rock-advances-ndc-to-semifinals.aspx
Notre Dame hit a 52 yard scoring pass with 22 seconds left in the first half to take a 21-10 lead. It proved to be enough as they held on to win. Slippery rock managed a third quarter score but could not add to it. “Defensive tackle Sha'haun Williams swapped out his cleats for a fresh pair late in the game, and recorded six tackles, including three sacks and a forced fumble in the final 15 minutes as the Falcons were defending a four-point lead.”
Ferris State 37 Ouachita Baptist 14
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ion-ii-semifinal-ouachita-baptist/2177221002/
The Bulldogs ran for 357 yards in 70 rushing plays in grinding out a decisive win. They eld 27-0 at halftime.
Valdosta State 61 Lenoir Rhyne 21
https://vstateblazers.com/news/2018...r-berth-in-ncaa-national-semifinal-61-21.aspx
The Blazers, who previously won DII titles in 2004, 2007 and 2012, looked well on their way to a fourth title in routing the Bears. They rushed for 382 yards and had 597 total and 29 first downs. The game was 34-7 at the half and the score just kept mounting.
Mankato State 13 Tarleton State 10
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/spo...cle_07927c26-f5a7-11e8-996e-cb075a2d0d72.html
Mankato out-lasted Tarleton and a snow storm to advance, scoring 13 fourth quarter points to beat the frozen Texans. “The catalyst for the comeback was a 97-yard, 27-play drive that ate more than 12 minutes and pulled MSU within 10-7 early in the fourth quarter.” That’s right: a 27 play drive in a blizzard!
SEMIFINALS
Valdosta State 30 Notre Dame 24
https://www.news-herald.com/sports/...cle_f3657c90-fb40-11e8-95c9-43fb939ba7f3.html
A 100 yard interception return allowed the Blazers to survive. Up 10-9 at the half, Valdosta could not prevent Notre Dame from penetrating to their 5 yard line on the opening drive of the second half. But David Brown picked a pass off at the goal line and was off to the races to make it 17-9. They pushed it to 23-9, gave up a score on a blocked punt but got it back with a 84 yard run by Jamar Thompkins to give them a 30-17 lead. The Falcons got hope from an 82 yard fumble return with 2:20 left but the Blazers recovered an on-sides kick and ran the clock out.
Ferris State 42 Mankato State 25
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2018/12/08/ferris-state-football/2253268002/
The Bulldogs upset #1 Mankato to advance to their first DII title game. Jayru Campbell “was 16-for-25 passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 103 yards on 19 carries.” Ferris State won the DII basketball title in March, so they are trying to pull a Florida and have the championship in two major spots at once. Ferris moved away from a 21-19 halftime score with three second half touchdowns. Campbell threw 55 yards to Dion Earls to make it 27-19. After the teams traded 1 yard plunges for scores, Portis went 19 yards for the clincher. Mankato actually had the edge in yardage 469-457 but it’s not just what but when.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Valdosta State 49 Ferris State 47
https://www.apnews.com/7f2b4de384524c3d9d0cce8fc84f256f
Now this was championship game! It wasn’t decided until a two point conversion attempt fell incomplete with 40 seconds left. Jayru Campbell had won the Harlon Hill Award for the outstanding DII player but was out-played by the runner-up, Valdosta’s Rogan Wells, “who passed for 349 yards, ran for 39 and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass… Campbell ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and had 99 yards passing and another TD.”
The scoring went: 0-7, 7-7, 7-10, 14-10, 14-17, 21-17, 21-24, 28-24, 28-31, 35-31, 42-31, 42-38, 49-38, 49-31, 49-47:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...state-valdosta-state-2018-results-final-score
The whole game:
Valdosta State’s final line: 14-0 (738-216) ranked 3rd Post season: 26-13 (4)
By the way, the Ferris State coach said this about an expanded FBS playoff:
““Truthfully, if there were eight teams it would legitimately be a true playoff format,” Ferris State football coach Tony Annese said. “If there were 16, I would say it would be incredible.”
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ootball-playoff-michigan-football/2137294002/
The teams:
(The bracket on the NCAA site did have seed numbers so I used them below)
EAST
1- Notre Dame (Ohio) 11-0 (390-193) ranked 11th post season: 0-0
2- LIU-Post (NY) 10-0 (316-122) ranked 13th post season: 2-2
3- West Chester State (Pa) 10-0 (393-147) ranked 8th post season: 20-22
4- Kutztown State (Pa) 9-1 (392-243) ranked 20th post season: 2-3
lost to West Chester 21-28
5- Hillsdale (Mi) 9-2 (358-215) ranked 23rd post season: 8-9-1 (1)
lost to Michigan Tech 30-31 and Indianapolis 24-34
6- New Haven (Cn) 8-2 (313-193) unranked post season: 8-6
lost to Bryant 31-41 and LIU-Post 13-17
7- Slippery Rock (Pa) 9-2 (425-239) unranked post season: 8-10
lost to Shippensburg 21-25 and West Chester 10-33
NORTH
1- Ouachita Baptist (Ark) 11-0 (382-144) ranked 4th post season: 2-5
2- Ferris State (Mich) 11-0 (503-212) ranked 2nd post season: 11-9
3- Grand Valley State (Mich) 10-1 (376-187) ranked 7th post season: 45-14 (4)
lost to Ferris State 31-35
4- Indianapolis (Ind) 9-1 (337-146) ranked 12th post season: 1-5
lost to Grand Valley 7-30
5- Fort Hays State (Kansas) 9-2 (338-188) ranked 19th post season: 0-3
lost to Missouri Western 13-23 and Emporia State 24-28
6- Northwest Missouri 9-2 (413-146) ranked 18th post season: 47-16 (6)
lost to Central Oklahoma 21-31 and Fort Hays State 16-17
7- Harding (Ark) 9-2 (401-114) ranked 21st post season: 6-7
lost to Southern Arkansas 23-28 and Ouachita Baptist 3-7
SOUTH
1- Valdosta State (Ga) 10-0 (532-108) ranked 3rd post season: 22-12 (3)
2- West Georgia 10-1 (390-210) ranked 10th post season: 9-9 (1)
lost to Valdosta State 31-47
3- Lenoir Rhyne (NC) 10-1 (489-226) ranked 17th post season: 9-7 (1)
lost to West Alabama 32-36
4- Bowie State (Md) 9-2 (344-252) unranked post season: 0-3
lost to Wagner 23-40 and Chowan 23-42
5- West Alabama 8-3 (352-275) unranked post season: 4-6 (1)
lost to Valdosta State 24-58, North Greenville 16-20 and west Georgia 25-27
6- Florida Tech 8-3 (331-232) unranked post season: 0-1
lost to West Georgia 21-30, Valdosta State 21-51 and West Alabama 22-29
7- Wingate (NC) 8-3 (364-209) unranked post season: 1-1
lost to Carson-Newman 14-31, Lenoir Rhyne 24-31 and Florida Tech 23-26
WEST
1- Mankato State (Minn) 11-0 (493-176) ranked 1st post season: 9-10
2- Tarleton State (Tex) 10-0 (483-173) ranked 6th post season: 0-0
3- Minnesota-Duluth 11-0 (473-116) ranked 5th post season: 14-9 (2)
4- Colorado Mines 10-1 (549-264) ranked 14th post season: 1-3
lost to Dixie State 45-52
5- Pueblo State (Colo) 10-1 (427-131) ranked 9th post season: 7-6 (1)
lost to Colorado Mines 21-35
6- Texas A&M- Commerce 9-2 (364-212) ranked 15th post season: 11-5 (1)
lost to Pueblo State 13-23 and Tarleton State 21-47
7- Azusa Pacific (Cal) 8-3 (330-200) ranked 24th post season: 9-8 (1)
lost to North Alabama 35-37, Central Washington 31-35 and Colorado Mines 27-42
FIRST ROUND
Hillsdale 40 Kutztown 26
Charger Football Advances in NCAA Playoffs With 40-26 Win at Kutztown
Kutztown was rolling along with a 20-3 second quarter lead, having out-gained Hillsdale by a whopping 322-99. The rest of the game was 6-37. Three short scoring drives in the third period gave the Chargers the lead they never surrendered. The Golden Bears still won the yardage battle, 537-463 but had trouble finishing drives in the second half. Chance Stewart passed for 305 yards and 3 scores for the winners. Trey Bock had 8 catches for 170 yards and 2 scores, including the 60 yarder that gave his the lead. Collin DiGalbo had 378 and 2 for the losers.
Slippery Rock 20 LIU Post 14
Rock upends #13 LIU Post 20-14 - Slippery Rock University Athletics
Everybody’s favorite small college team advanced in the playoffs due to a balanced offense that produced 192 rushing yards and 163 passing. LIU-Post passed for 333 yards but rushed for only 10. “The Rock” scored on the first play, a 75 yard screen pass, then overcame two interceptions in their own territory to hold the pioneers to a field goal, then increased the lead to 17-3 and held on to win. Wes Hills carried 33 times for 168 yards and a score.
New Haven 35 West Chester 28
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE! New Haven Takes Down No. 8 West Chester, Will Host Slippery Rock Next Weekend - University of New Haven Athletics
Ajee Patterson passed for three scores and ran for two more, the last coming on a quarterback sneak with 4:44 left to give the Chargers the victory. They scored two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to overcome a 21-28 deficit. They out-gained the Golden Rams 406-329, passing for 265 yards.
Indianapolis 38 Fort Hays State 27
Indianapolis Outlasts FHSU, 38-27, in Back-and-Forth Battle - FHSU Athletics
Indianapolis book-ended a 14-0 start and a 21-3 finish to advance over Fort Hays State. The Greyhounds used a balanced attack with 249 yards rushing and 182 passing to overcome 338 yards of passing from the Tigers, who only rushed for 78 yards.
Ferris State 21 Harding 19
Ferris State rolls early, holds on late against Harding in playoff opener
Ferris State built up a 21-0 second quarter lead and barely held on to win over charging Harding. The Bison missed their first conversion and two subsequent attempts at a two point conversion and that was the margin of defeat. The Bulldogs, who came into the game averaging 486 yards a game, were held to a season-low 153 yards.
Northwest Missouri 42 Grand Valley State 17
Northwest pummels Grand Valley State, 42-17
Northwest Missouri, winner of five previous DII championships, beat Grand Valley, who has four titles, including two won against the bearcats back when Brian Kelly was their coach. “Northwest rushed for 356 yards and the Bearcat defense held the Lakers to 128 yards passing. GVSU came into the game averaging nearly 270 yards per game through the air.” The bearcats pulled away from a 14-10 halftime score. Isaiah Strayhorn rushed for 171 yards a two scores, including an 84 yarder. Josh Caldwell had 147 yard and two 28 yard TD runs.
Bowie State 41 West Alabama 35
Bowie State Holds Off West Alabama 41-35 For NCAA Region 2 First Round Win - Bowie State University Athletics
Yes, Bowie State is “BSU”, (and not Bouie State). They won a wild, back and fourth game, falling behind 0-7, taking a 14-7 lead, getting tied at 14, moving forward to a 27-14 lead before giving up two touchdowns and falling behind again early in the fourth quarter. Before a final surge that gave them a 41-28 lead. Quarterback Amir Hall “finished the game completing 31-of-48 passes for 360 yards and one touchdown also paced Bowie State in rushing yards with 51 and one score.“
Wingate 41 West Georgia 31
HOW ‘BOUT THEM ‘DOGS! Wingate knocks off #10 West Georgia in play-off opener for seventh straight win - Wingate University Athletics
In a similar game on the scoreboard, this set of Bulldogs fell behind 0-7, rallied to take a 20-7, held on for a 20-17 halftime score, pushed it to 27-17 in the third quarter only to fall behind again 27-31 before closing it out with two fourth quarter touchdowns. The big difference is that this game was about running more than passing and about defense as much as offense. Wingate ran for 245 yards and their defense “came up huge with six quarterback sacks and two interceptions”.
Lenoir-Rhyne 43 Florida Tech 21
Football Advances Past Florida Tech in NCAA Playoffs; Will Host Wingate Next Saturday - Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics
The Bears won their 500th game and 11th in a row in a blow-out, rolling to a 27-7 halftime lead and then forcing three turnovers in tech’s first three possessions of the second half to push it to 40-7 before coasting home with the victory.
Pueblo State 37 Colorado Mines 17
Defense stands tall in 37-17 playoff victory at Mines - Colorado State University - Pueblo
The “Thunderwolves” held Mines to 37 yards rushing. They had 4 takeaways, 7 sacks and 11 TFLs. Pueblo gained only 7 more yards but built a 24-3 third quarter lead and matched the Miners the rest of the way.
Tarleton State 58 Azusa Pacific 0
Tarleton State 58, Azusa 0: Texans cruise to record-breaking DII playoff opener
This one was never a contest as Tarleton led 37-0 at halftime. The Texans outgained the toothless Cougars 579-217 including 355-1 on the ground.
Texas A&M Commerce 33 Minnesota-Duluth 17
Defense and special teams propel Lions to 33-17 win at Minnesota Duluth in regional quarterfinal - Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletics
Defending DII champions Commerce, (once known as East Texas State), showed Duluth that they still had what it takes. Their “defense limited the Bulldogs to 188 total yards and 13 first downs in the game. The Bulldog offense only scored three points... UMD entered the game averaging 470.4 yards of offense.” Their lions only gained 279 yards of their own. They took the lead for good shortly before halftime on a 79 yard punt return, then dominated a 16-3 second half.
SECOND ROUND
Notre Dame 19 Hillsdale 14
NDC Edges Hillsdale, 19-14
An early goal line stand shook Notre Dame out of its doldrums, (four punts on the first four possessions) and they drive 82 yards for a field goal, and then followed up with a touchdown just before the half for a 10-0 lead. Hillsdale seemed to take over in the second half, taking a 14-10 lead. The Chargers drove to the ND five but a fumble gave the Falcons new life. A 38 ayrd pass got them out of trouble and they drove for a field goal. “On the following NDC drive, the Falcons scored on a 26-yard pass from (Chris) Brimm to Markus Hood… Hillsdale got the ball back with 2:15 to play starting at its own 25. 14 plays later, the Chargers moved the ball down to the NDC 14, but came up short.”
Slippery Rock 59 New Haven 20
Rock routs New Haven 59-20 in round two - Slippery Rock University Athletics
Slippery Rock slipped past New Haven rushing for 263 yards and passing for 263 yards. A 28-10 second quarter gave the Rock a 35-10 halftime lead and the Chargers never got any closer than that.
Ouachita Baptist 35 Indianapolis 7
OBU shows off balanced attack
Ouachita Baptist University rushed for 303 yards but also threw two touchdown passes in the rout. The Baptists scored just before halftime to turn a 14-7 games into a 21-7 halftime lead. Two explosive plays – a 64 yard pass and a 63 yard run closed out the scoring in the third quarter.
Ferris State 27 Northwest Missouri 21
Ferris State Beats D2 Power Northwest Missouri State To Advance To Super Region Championship Game
The NW Missouri Bearcats have been the team to beat in DII, winning titles in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Ferris State beat them, probably to the relief of the rest of the division. The Bulldogs dominated the game more than the score indicated, outgaining the bearcats 608-300, including an edge of 321-31 in the ground. They built up a 20-0 before holding on to win. NWM got a pick six, another turnover, a 117-28 edge in return yardage and a 40.3-29.0 edge in average punting to make it close.
Valdosta State 66 Bowie State 16
http://www.wtxl.com/sports/no-blaze...cle_296b5d58-f071-11e8-925c-27129197ee44.html
Bowie wasn’t sharp and Valdosta was as the Blazers rolled after falling behind 0-7 and 7-10. They scored the game’s last 45 points. They had 549 yards to 310 and were +3 in turnovers. Two different quarterbacks threw two TD passes each and four different runners scored a touchdown each.
Lenoir Rhyne 21 Wingate 17
https://lrbears.com/news/2018/11/24...ast-wingate-and-on-to-the-regional-final.aspx
The Bears, who averaged 44 points a game going into this one, were shut out in the first half. Three second half scoring drives totaling 31 plays turned the game around for them.
Mankato State 24 Pueblo State 10
https://msumavericks.com/news/2018/...ueblo-in-second-round-of-ncaa-tournament.aspx
After a scoreless first quarter, the Mavericks ground out 24 points on four drives totaling 39 plays. The Thunder5wolves came back with 10 third quarter points but the fourth quarter was a scoreless as the first.
Tarleton State 34 Texas A&M Commerce 28
https://www.texasfootball.com/artic...nding-dii-champions?ref=article_preview_title
Commerce’s championship run ended as Tarleton won the battle of Texas. A late fumble recovery closed it out. Ben Holmes, with a brace on his leg, passed for 206 yards and ran for 94 more. “His leg continued to bother him throughout the game and in a moment rarely seen in sports, an offensive lineman would carry Holmes down the field to the line of scrimmage after a long play for the Texans.”
QUARTERFINALS
Notre Dame 21 Slippery Rock 17
https://notredamefalcons.com/news/2...slippery-rock-advances-ndc-to-semifinals.aspx
Notre Dame hit a 52 yard scoring pass with 22 seconds left in the first half to take a 21-10 lead. It proved to be enough as they held on to win. Slippery rock managed a third quarter score but could not add to it. “Defensive tackle Sha'haun Williams swapped out his cleats for a fresh pair late in the game, and recorded six tackles, including three sacks and a forced fumble in the final 15 minutes as the Falcons were defending a four-point lead.”
Ferris State 37 Ouachita Baptist 14
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ion-ii-semifinal-ouachita-baptist/2177221002/
The Bulldogs ran for 357 yards in 70 rushing plays in grinding out a decisive win. They eld 27-0 at halftime.
Valdosta State 61 Lenoir Rhyne 21
https://vstateblazers.com/news/2018...r-berth-in-ncaa-national-semifinal-61-21.aspx
The Blazers, who previously won DII titles in 2004, 2007 and 2012, looked well on their way to a fourth title in routing the Bears. They rushed for 382 yards and had 597 total and 29 first downs. The game was 34-7 at the half and the score just kept mounting.
Mankato State 13 Tarleton State 10
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/spo...cle_07927c26-f5a7-11e8-996e-cb075a2d0d72.html
Mankato out-lasted Tarleton and a snow storm to advance, scoring 13 fourth quarter points to beat the frozen Texans. “The catalyst for the comeback was a 97-yard, 27-play drive that ate more than 12 minutes and pulled MSU within 10-7 early in the fourth quarter.” That’s right: a 27 play drive in a blizzard!
SEMIFINALS
Valdosta State 30 Notre Dame 24
https://www.news-herald.com/sports/...cle_f3657c90-fb40-11e8-95c9-43fb939ba7f3.html
A 100 yard interception return allowed the Blazers to survive. Up 10-9 at the half, Valdosta could not prevent Notre Dame from penetrating to their 5 yard line on the opening drive of the second half. But David Brown picked a pass off at the goal line and was off to the races to make it 17-9. They pushed it to 23-9, gave up a score on a blocked punt but got it back with a 84 yard run by Jamar Thompkins to give them a 30-17 lead. The Falcons got hope from an 82 yard fumble return with 2:20 left but the Blazers recovered an on-sides kick and ran the clock out.
Ferris State 42 Mankato State 25
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2018/12/08/ferris-state-football/2253268002/
The Bulldogs upset #1 Mankato to advance to their first DII title game. Jayru Campbell “was 16-for-25 passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 103 yards on 19 carries.” Ferris State won the DII basketball title in March, so they are trying to pull a Florida and have the championship in two major spots at once. Ferris moved away from a 21-19 halftime score with three second half touchdowns. Campbell threw 55 yards to Dion Earls to make it 27-19. After the teams traded 1 yard plunges for scores, Portis went 19 yards for the clincher. Mankato actually had the edge in yardage 469-457 but it’s not just what but when.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Valdosta State 49 Ferris State 47
https://www.apnews.com/7f2b4de384524c3d9d0cce8fc84f256f
Now this was championship game! It wasn’t decided until a two point conversion attempt fell incomplete with 40 seconds left. Jayru Campbell had won the Harlon Hill Award for the outstanding DII player but was out-played by the runner-up, Valdosta’s Rogan Wells, “who passed for 349 yards, ran for 39 and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass… Campbell ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and had 99 yards passing and another TD.”
The scoring went: 0-7, 7-7, 7-10, 14-10, 14-17, 21-17, 21-24, 28-24, 28-31, 35-31, 42-31, 42-38, 49-38, 49-31, 49-47:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...state-valdosta-state-2018-results-final-score
The whole game:
Valdosta State’s final line: 14-0 (738-216) ranked 3rd Post season: 26-13 (4)
By the way, the Ferris State coach said this about an expanded FBS playoff:
““Truthfully, if there were eight teams it would legitimately be a true playoff format,” Ferris State football coach Tony Annese said. “If there were 16, I would say it would be incredible.”
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ootball-playoff-michigan-football/2137294002/