AGS D-II / D-III / NAIA Football Thread

[bonarae]

Time to retire 2019, and let's move forward.

This thread is for all things below the FCS level in football.

For D-III fans, do you think the playoff oligarchy that defined the 1990s and 2000s is now over?

https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/we-are-all-mount-union

[Laker]

NAIA Presentation of Aberdeen, SD to close after this school year. North Star teams will be looking to fill some schedules.

Announcement - Presentation College (https://www.presentation.edu/about/announcement)

[Laker]

D3 Finlandia to close.

Teach-Out - Finlandia University : Finlandia University (https://www.finlandia.edu/about/teachout/)

[bonarae]

Why oh why? xeyebrowx

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/division-ii-college-football-coach-suspended-one-game-after-players-lit-cigars-to-celebrate-national-title/

[Laker]

Iowa Wesleyan, an NAIA school but had been in the D3 UMAC when I watched them, is closing. The North Star has lost another member.

Southeast Iowa university announces closure at end of academic year | KTVO (https://ktvo.com/news/local/southeast-iowa-university-announces-closure-at-end-of-academic-year)

[ngineer]

Why oh why? xeyebrowx

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/division-ii-college-football-coach-suspended-one-game-after-players-lit-cigars-to-celebrate-national-title/

Feel sorry for the coach. Says nothing of any discipline meted out on the the actual violators. I doubt they learned a lesson by others had to suffer fines, damages and suspension in their place. Indeed, unless I am missing something, they walk out 'getting away' with something, again. I would hope the school would surcharge them. Don't know if they can. They were even warned the previous year!

[caribbeanhen]

Feel sorry for the coach. Says nothing of any discipline meted out on the the actual violators. I doubt they learned a lesson by others had to suffer fines, damages and suspension in their place. Indeed, unless I am missing something, they walk out 'getting away' with something, again. I would hope the school would surcharge them. Don't know if they can. They were even warned the previous year!

No victory cigars ? Oh Dear

I would move the game somewhere else…. I understand if they were warned beforehand about the rule and defiantly lit one up but these kids are being “ruled” to death….

[JALMOND]

Arizona Christian joining the Frontier Conference (NAIA) as a football only member in 2023.

https://frontierconference.com/news/2022/9/8/arizona-christian-joins-frontier-as-associate-member-in-football.aspx

[Bisonoline]

Why oh why? xeyebrowx

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/division-ii-college-football-coach-suspended-one-game-after-players-lit-cigars-to-celebrate-national-title/

This shows how much the ncaa is worthless.

[bonarae]

New England College in NH returning to the gridiron in 2024.

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/06/new-england-college-adding-football

[Laker]

Nobody needs a black football field.

Morrisville goes with black turf - D3football (https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/07/morrisville-black-turf)

[Laker]

D2 school Alderson Broaddhus to end sports, among more important things.
https://www.wboy.com/news/barbour/alderson-broaddus-authorization-to-award-degrees-revoked/

[POD Knows]

Nobody needs a black football field.

Morrisville goes with black turf - D3football (https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/07/morrisville-black-turf)Quite literally the dumbest thing I have seen in a while. First of all, the aesthetics look like they painted lines on asphalt, and this will draw heat like a SOB.

[bonarae]

Preseason polls are out for some conferences by now.

UChicago is 3rd in the MWC preseason poll (because of Lake Forest and Monmouth IL) xsighx -- hopefully we will be invited to a bowl once the season ends...
MIT's and St. Scholastica's conferences haven't released their conference polls yet.

[bonarae]

Centenary Gentlemen are back on the gridiron in 2024 too, after 83 years! Their Olympic sports play in the SCAC, but I don't know where they will play in football.

https://i.postimg.cc/jj15vBQh/366084037-704681841671409-5154983561592022879-n.jpg

[Laker]

Looks like the SCAC? Member Institutions - SCAC Athletics (scacsports.com) (https://www.scacsports.com/navbar-schools)

[bonarae]

Looks like the SCAC? Member Institutions - SCAC Athletics (scacsports.com) (https://www.scacsports.com/navbar-schools)

Currently, SCAC isn't sponsoring football.

[JALMOND]

NAIA starts the 2023 football season tonight with Jamestown (ND) at Valley City State (ND) starting at 7:00pm CDT.

[bonarae]

Valley City State beats Jamestown ND 23-15. College football season has begun now, but it will really begin on Saturday elsewhere (FBS and FCS); D-II and D-III will follow on August 31 for Week 1.

[Laker]

NAIA starts the 2023 football season tonight with Jamestown (ND) at Valley City State (ND) starting at 7:00pm CDT.

Watched the game online last night. Might go to the Briar Cliff at Waldorf game Saturday night.

[Laker]

Saw Waldorf top Briar Cliff Saturday. Plan on going to Sioux Falls to watch the Mavs take on USF on Thursday. Saturday- D3 St John's hosts Trinity of Texas- both are highly ranked. If you haven't seen the stadium there- you should.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4y4lIoXIAAAPHo?format=jpg&name=large

[bonarae]

MIT and UChicago open their 2023 seasons tomorrow. MIT opens against Bridgewater State while UChicago welcomes C-M-S (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps) to Hyde Park and Stagg Field.

[Laker]

Mavs top Sioux Falls on the road 54-26 Thursday night. Chad Birger, who works the sidelines for Cougar radio, took time to take a picture after the game. https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/373054803_10231042404028411_8761592192297197280_n. jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=PpoHNueLTnoAX-yisWk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD8KXLsANY7Ea3UnKlves4Z4RwgiKquASIl3pTDhpWO kw&oe=64F829E2

[caribbeanhen]

Mavs top Sioux Falls on the road 54-26 Thursday night. Chad Birger, who works the sidelines for Cougar radio, took time to take a picture after the game. https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/373054803_10231042404028411_8761592192297197280_n. jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=PpoHNueLTnoAX-yisWk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD8KXLsANY7Ea3UnKlves4Z4RwgiKquASIl3pTDhpWO kw&oe=64F829E2

nice shot Laker

[bonarae]

MIT beats Bridgewater State 41-27. UChicago lost its OOC to C-M-S 24-15.

[Laker]

St John's comes from 17 down with 9 minutes to play to win in OT before a big crowd, which then includes me. Kicked the FG, then picked off a pass in the end zone.

Football vs Trinity (Texas) on 9/2/2023 - Box Score - Saint John's University Athletics (gojohnnies.com) (https://gojohnnies.com/sports/football/stats/2023/trinity-texas-/boxscore/8668)

[bonarae]

UChicago's other MWC opponents, save for Lake Forest, all lost their OOC games.

[Laker]

Centenary Gentlemen defeat Mary Hardin Baylor 34-27 in Fort Worth. Their first win in football since 1941.

[bonarae]

UChicago's season is lost now as they start 0-2, losing to Monmouth 39-6
St. Scholastica lost a heartbreaker to Rockford 38-37.

[bonarae]

A Colorado Mesa OL threw a TD pass on a botched play against the Toreros. xeekx

https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/offensive-lineman-threw-touchdown-pass-on-botched-play

[bonarae]

MIT lost to Curry College 20-16.
UChicago shut out Knox College 63-0.
St. Scholastica beats Crown 38-18.

[Laker]

Waldorf is leaving the North Star for the GPAC. Now the NSAA is down to four football schools. Dickenson could go to the Frontier, but Valley City and Mayville aren't close to anything in the NAIA. Dakota State talked about going D2- it would be a tough road for the others. D3 would also be really hard for those schools.

With Waldorf Departure, Timeline Tightens for VCSU | News Dakota (https://www.newsdakota.com/2023/09/19/with-waldorf-departure-timeline-tightens-for-vcsu/)

[BisonFan02]

My alma mater Jamestown "The U" is going from NAIA to NCAA D2....which will be a dumpster fire for football. They have the facilities and money....could be interesting at least.

[BisonFan02]

Waldorf is leaving the North Star for the GPAC. Now the NSAA is down to four football schools. Dickenson could go to the Frontier, but Valley City and Mayville aren't close to anything in the NAIA. Dakota State talked about going D2- it would be a tough road for the others. D3 would also be really hard for those schools.

With Waldorf Departure, Timeline Tightens for VCSU | News Dakota (https://www.newsdakota.com/2023/09/19/with-waldorf-departure-timeline-tightens-for-vcsu/)

Served up some crow to a bunch of old buds that bitched about Jamestown leaving for the GPAC awhile back.....

[bonarae]

MIT lost to Salve Regina 34-7.
St. Scholastica lost to Concordia-Moorhead 49-16.

UChicago and the Midwest Conference had its bye week this week.

[bonarae]

MIT lost to Coast Guard 36-14.
UChicago beat Beloit 48-7.
St. Scholastica beat Macalester 23-17.

[Laker]

MSU-Mankato went to 5-0 after winning unbeaten Bemidji State's homecoming 27-24. The Beavers have a unique setting next to Lake Bemidji- if they win homecoming, the team jumps into the lake. I did see it once years ago when they beat Upper Iowa. Mavs return home next week for their own homecoming against Minnesota State-Moorhead.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile... there might be a new playoff representative from the MWC, as Lake Forest leads the standings ATM at 4-0, 3-0. Monmouth Scots lost to the Blueboys of Illinois College, 20-17. UChicago faces the Blueboys next at Stagg Field on Saturday. This is a make or break game for the Maroons; currently they are part of a 5-way log jam for 2nd in the MWC. UChicago faces Lake Forest on the road on the last regular gameday in D-III, November 11.

[bonarae]

UChicago loses at home to Illinois College 41-20
MIT lost to Springfield 38-10
St. Scholastica lost to Gustavus Adolphus 63-12.

[Laker]

MSU-Mankato survives their Homecoming by kicking a field goal with 4 seconds to play and beat MSU-Moorhead to remain unbeaten at 6-0 before 6851.

[Laker]

(1) Amanda Godsey on X: "Mike Tomlin knows his Division II college football rivals in Minnesota . “If you want to Alabama or Auburn, I said it’s like the Iron Bowl. If you went to Bemidji State, I said it’s like Bemidji State versus Mankato.” https://t.co/a3Grqtb30o" / X (twitter.com) (https://twitter.com/AmandaFGodsey/status/1711144268125925463)

[Laker]

NAIA Jamestown booted from the GPAC. They want to go D2 and join the NSIC. Did they want to get the boot like St Thomas did?

Membership Statement from the Great Plains Athletic Conference - Great Plains Athletic Conference (gpacsports.com) (https://www.gpacsports.com/general/2023-24/releases/20231011mi3rze)

[bonarae]

UChicago finally wins at home, against Ripon 21-6.
MIT loses to Merchant Marine 28-14.
St. Scholastica loses to St. Olaf 37-17.

[Laker]

Mavs top Western Oregon 45-14 in their first regular season non-conference game since 2011. Now 7-0 and will play at 7-0 Augustana next week for the top spot in the NSIC.

[bonarae]

MIT beats SUNY-Maritime 35-28.
St. Scholastica lost to Carleton 42-21.
UChicago lost to Cornell College 47-34.

[CHIP72]

In games of interest to me:

D2
*East Stroudsburg held off visiting Bloomsburg 21-16, killing off the final 5:35 of regulation with a game-ending drive. The Warriors (7-1) have legitimate D2 playoff hopes; they host Shippensburg next Saturday. By contrast, the Huskies (1-7) remain snakebit, and their hill likely will become steeper as they head home to play Shepherd next week.

*IUP (4-4) was shocked at Seton Hill 35-28, the first time the host Griffins have ever beaten their neighbors from less than an hour northeast. The Crimson Hawks' disappointing season continues; they'll try to get back on track back home in Indiana against Gannon.

D3
*Muhlenberg (7-0) remained undefeated, handing host Dickinson its second loss of the season by a 42-21 score. The nationally ranked Mules have a huge game next week at home against Johns Hopkins, also nationally ranked and undefeated.

*Moravian improved to 4-3 and 3-0 in the Landmark Conference after posting a 44-13 road win at Juniata (1-6). The Greyhounds have a chance to take control of the conference race next week in Bethlehem against undefeated, 12th ranked Susquehanna while the Eagles will go for their first conference win at Lycoming.

Right now Lafayette (DI-AA/FCS), East Stroudsburg (D2), and Muhlenberg (D3) all entertain legitimate playoff hopes; IMO the Leopards probably have the best shot right now. Hopefully all three teams play in the NCAA championships this year.

[JacksFan40]

#17 Augustana rolls over #3 Minnesota State 28-10 in Sioux Falls. Enormous win for Augie and should vault them up the rankings.

[Laker]

#17 Augustana rolls over #3 Minnesota State 28-10 in Sioux Falls. Enormous win for Augie and should vault them up the rankings.

Huge INT late in the first half with MSU leading 3-0, then the Augie RB goes about 80 yards for a 7-3 lead at half. Embarrassing second half for the Mavs, Augie made the plays and shut them down until garbage time. It was a long drive home.

[bonarae]

UChicago beats Lawrence 55-12.
MIT beats Norwich 29-26.
The Johnnies beat St. Scholastica 62-7.

[Laker]

MSU-Mankato beats Southwest MN St at home 30-13. Meanwhile Augustana drops from the ranks of the unbeaten losing in a snowstorm at Wayne State C 14-12. Wayne only had 20 yards of offense.

[JALMOND]

Rocky Mountain College football player Chandler Stalcup, a freshman DT from Crystal River, FL, was shot dead Saturday morning in Billings, MT.

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/rocky-mountain-football-player-injured-in-shooting-swat-incident-related

Rocky Mountain has postponed all athletic events until further notice. The Rocky Mountain men's basketball team was at a tournament in Great Falls, MT over the weekend. They did play Friday night, but they did not play Saturday. The football team was off, but they do have a conference game with Arizona Christian this weekend.

[clenz]

MSU-Mankato beats Southwest MN St at home 30-13. Meanwhile Augustana drops from the ranks of the unbeaten losing in a snowstorm at Wayne State C 14-12. Wayne only had 20 yards of offense.
The Ferentz family just had their dicks explode in excitement reading that.

[bonarae]

MIT had its bye week.
UChicago beat Grinnell 48-14.
Hamline beats St. Scholastica 33-26.

[grizband]

Rocky Mountain College football player Chandler Stalcup, a freshman DT from Crystal River, FL, was shot dead Saturday morning in Billings, MT.

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/rocky-mountain-football-player-injured-in-shooting-swat-incident-related

Rocky Mountain has postponed all athletic events until further notice. The Rocky Mountain men's basketball team was at a tournament in Great Falls, MT over the weekend. They did play Friday night, but they did not play Saturday. The football team was off, but they do have a conference game with Arizona Christian this weekend.
Honestly, it's such a sad situation! The suspects are also teenagers, which in some way makes it additionally sad for everyone involved.

[JALMOND]

Honestly, it's such a sad situation! The suspects are also teenagers, which in some way makes it additionally sad for everyone involved.

An update to this. Two teenagers were arrested, the one who pulled the trigger was charged with deliberate homicide and the other charged with deliberate homicide by accountability. Rocky Mountain athletics were able to continue last week, and the football team as well as the men's and women's basketball teams all were able to go to Arizona and play last weekend. The football team won their game, the women's team won both of their games, and the men's team split.

[bonarae]

UChicago wins close at Lake Forest, 15-14.
St. Scholastica lost to Macalester 40-20.
MIT will play WPI at 6 p, EST.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bonarae]

MIT beats WPI 25-21 in their final game of the season.

The Blueboys of Illinois College are D-III playoffs bound from the MWC.

[CHIP72]

In games of interest to me:

D2
*Indiana (PA), aka IUP (6-5), shut out host Bloomsburg (3-8) 31-0. The Huskies end their season at 3-8, continuing their recent stretch of poor seasons, while the Crimson Hawks finish with a winning record in a down season by their standards.

*East Stroudsburg (9-2) posted a huge 37-30 home win over fellow D2 playoff contender Cal U (PA). The Warriors, who were ranked #7 in Super Region 1 in last week's regional rankings, should leapfrog California in the final rankings and avoid being vulnerable to being pushed out of the playoffs via Earned Access by NE-10 champ New Haven.

D3
*Muhlenberg (9-1) crushed Montclair State 45-14 on the road on Friday night. The Mules will play next week, but the question is whether they'll earn one of the four at-large berths to the D3 playoffs or will have to settle for a Centennial-MAC Bowl Series berth.

*Moravian (4-6) ended their season with their third straight loss, falling at home 41-6 against Wilkes. The Greyhounds were unable to post their first non-losing record since 2018.

*Juniata (1-9) lost 34-20 at Catholic to finish 2023 in last place in the Landmark Conference's first season sponsoring football. The Eagles had their fifth straight season with two or fewer wins.

[JALMOND]

NAIA playoffs, top 12 seeds get byes to the second round. Those are;

1. Northwestern (IA)
2. Grand View (IA)
3. Keiser (FL)
4. Georgetown (KY)
5. Marian (IN)
6. Indiana Wesleyan
7. Bethel (TN)
8. Montana Western
9. Evangel (MO)
10. Morningside (IA)
11. College of Idaho
12. Saint Xavier (IL)

First round games scheduled for November 18

Reinhardt (GA) at St. Thomas (FL)
Dickinson State (ND) at Montana Tech
Ottawa (KS) at Dordt (IA)
Louisiana Christian at Baker (KS)

https://www.naia.org/sports/fball/2023-24/releases/Qualifiers

[CHIP72]

East Stroudsburg was selected for the D2 playoffs, and will play at Slippery Rock in the first round of the playoffs in Super Region 1.

Muhlenberg was not selected for the D3 playoffs, so they will settle for the top Centennial Conference seed in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. They'll host #2 MAC seed Lebanon Valley, a rematch of a bowl series matchup from 2022 (which the Mules won on the road).

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Cortland State is back in the D3 playoffs! The Red Dragons have firmly established themselves as one of the top programs in the Northeast.

Also, happy to Kutztown and ESU make the D2 field. Clements, who should have courted until he said yes, continues to excel at KU. Part of me is hoping Pittsburg State makes a run. I think they have the "dudes" relative to the PSAC programs.

[JacksFan40]

Augustana destroyed Mankato 51-24 in the first round of the D2 playoffs. Second playoff win in Augie history. Will have their hands full at Colorado Mines next week.

Bemidiji State beat UT Permian Basin 10-3 as well in the first round. They play Central Washington who upset Western Colorado 16-13.

[bonarae]

Cortland beats Endicott. Johns Hopkins routs Western Connecticut. The Blueboys lost at Wartburg. CMU currently leads against Brockport.

[CHIP72]

In games of interest to me:

D2
*East Stroudsburg was outclassed at Slippery Rock 45-14 in the first round of the D2 playoffs. The Warriors conclude their best season in many years with a 9-3 record.

D3
*Muhlenberg topped visiting Lebanon Valley 23-7 in a Centennial/MAC Bowl Series game, part of a 3 game sweep by the Centennial Conference. The Mules finish 2023 with a 10-1 record.

One other game of note - Kutztown easily won at home over Virginia Union to advance to the second round of the D2 playoffs. They'll play at Charleston (WV) next week.

[CHIP72]

In a heavyweight D2 first round playoff clash, host Grand Valley State got by conference rival and 2-time defending national champion Ferris State 21-14 to advance to the 2nd round. (You may remember Ferris State lost by only 7 points at Montana during the regular season, outplaying the Griz in their defeat.)

[JALMOND]

NAIA playoffs, top 12 seeds get byes to the second round. Those are;

1. Northwestern (IA)
2. Grand View (IA)
3. Keiser (FL)
4. Georgetown (KY)
5. Marian (IN)
6. Indiana Wesleyan
7. Bethel (TN)
8. Montana Western
9. Evangel (MO)
10. Morningside (IA)
11. College of Idaho
12. Saint Xavier (IL)

First round games scheduled for November 18

Reinhardt (GA) at St. Thomas (FL)
Dickinson State (ND) at Montana Tech
Ottawa (KS) at Dordt (IA)
Louisiana Christian at Baker (KS)

https://www.naia.org/sports/fball/2023-24/releases/Qualifiers

First round finals in the NAIA

St. Thomas (FL) 55, Reinhardt (GA) 7
Dickinson State (ND) 35, Montana Tech 28
Dordt (IA) 35, Ottawa (KS) 7
Baker (KS) 55, Louisiana Christian 38

[JALMOND]

Second round matchups in NAIA

Dordt (IA) at Northwestern (IA)
Dickinson State (ND) at Grand View (IA)
St. Thomas (FL) at Keiser (FL)
Baker (KS) at Georgetown (KY)
Saint Xavier (IL) at Marion (IN)
Morningside (IA) at Indiana Wesleyan
Evangel (MO)at Bethel (TN)
College of Idaho at Montana Western

[JALMOND]

Second round matchups in NAIA

Dordt (IA) at Northwestern (IA)
Dickinson State (ND) at Grand View (IA)
St. Thomas (FL) at Keiser (FL)
Baker (KS) at Georgetown (KY)
Saint Xavier (IL) at Marion (IN)
Morningside (IA) at Indiana Wesleyan
Evangel (MO)at Bethel (TN)
College of Idaho at Montana Western

Second round final scores

Northwestern (IA) 7, Dordt (IA) 0
Grand View (IA) 28, Dickinson State (ND) 3
Keiser (FL) 45, St. Thomas (FL) 21
Georgetown (KY) 42, Baker (KS) 21
Saint Xavier (IL) 31, Marion (IN) 21
Indiana Wesleyan 24, Morningside (IA) 21
Bethel (TN) 40, Evangel (MO) 13
College of Idaho 49, Montana Western 42

[JALMOND]

Quarterfinals in NAIA

Saint Xavier (IL) at Northwestern (IA)
College of Idaho at Grand View (IA)
Bethel (TN) at Keiser (FL)
Indiana Wesleyan at Gerogetown (KY)

[bonarae]

Cortland beats Grove City in a close game 25-24.
Johns Hopkins beats Union 39-17.
Wartburg beats Whitworth 42-20.

[CHIP72]

In D2, Kutztown edged Charleston (WV) 32-31 on the road to advance to the Super Region 1 championship, aka national quarterfinals.

[bonarae]

Cortland is fighting to live another week... they face another semifinal first-timer in Randolph-Macon, who beat Hopkins in a close game.

[CHIP72]

Kutztown beat Slippery Rock for the second time within a month, knocking off The Rock on the road 28-16 to advance to the D2 national semifinals.

The D2 national semifinal pairings, game dates/start times, and broadcast information are set:

Saturday, December 9th
*Lenoir-Rhyne at Harding, 12:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
*Kutztown at Colorado School of Mines, 3:30 PM ET (ESPN+)

The NAIA and D3 national semifinal pairings are also set, though as of this writing game dates/start times and broadcast information has not yet been announced. The semifinal games in each classification are:

NAIA
*Georgetown (KY) at Northwestern (IA)
*College of Idaho at Keiser

D3
*Wartburg vs North Central (IL)
*Randolph-Macon vs Cortland

Game sites/host teams have not yet been formally announced for the D3 semifinal games.

[clenz]

My Wartburg Knights - who I played for in college - in the semis for the second straight year. Hopefully this one has a better outcome than last year.

If it's at Wartburg I may have to take the kids up there to watch

[CHIP72]

My Wartburg Knights - who I played for in college - in the semis for the second straight year. Hopefully this one has a better outcome than last year.

If it's at Wartburg I may have to take the kids up there to watch

EDIT: I just double-checked the NCAA D3 bracket, and it appears the NCAA has changed the location for the North Central (IL)/Wartburg game from what I saw earlier today. Wartburg will host that game.

[CHIP72]

NAIA and D3 semifinal game date, time, site, and broadcast information:

NAIA
Saturday, December 9th
*Georgetown (KY) at Northwestern (IA), 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
*College of Idaho at Keiser, 1:00 PM ET

D3
Saturday, December 9th
*Cortland at Randolph-Macon, 12:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
*North Central (IL) at Wartburg, 3:30 PM ET (2:30 PM CT) (ESPN+)

[Laker]

NAIA and D3 semifinal game date, time, site, and broadcast information:

NAIA
Saturday, December 9th
*Georgetown (KY) at Northwestern (IA), 1:00 PM (12:00 PM CT)
*College of Idaho at Keiser, 1:00 PM ET

D3
Saturday, December 9th
*Cortland at Randolph-Macon, 12:00 PM (ESPN+)
*North Central (IL) at Wartburg, 3:30 PM (ESPN+)

Three hours drive but if the weather is good I'll go to see this game. One of the Georgetown coaches used to be at Mankato.

[Mike296]

One little tidbit about Harding that I only recently learned about is that they run an option offense apparently? Kinda neat in my opinion. You don’t see that very often anymore. From my understanding even the Military Academies are going away from it(I think Navy is the only one still running it as a dedicated offense?)

[Laker]

One little tidbit about Harding that I only recently learned about is that they run an option offense apparently? Kinda neat in my opinion. You don’t see that very often anymore. From my understanding even the Military Academies are going away from it(I think Navy is the only one still running it as a dedicated offense?)

Yes they do. I saw they play at Sious Falls several years ago in the playoff. They don't panic, they use up the play clock even when down ten. Very physical.

[ngineer]

Kutztown beat Slippery Rock for the second time within a month, knocking off The Rock on the road 28-16 to advance to the D2 national semifinals.

The D2 national semifinal pairings, game dates/start times, and broadcast information are set:

Saturday, December 9th
*Lenoir-Rhyne at Harding, 12:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
*Kutztown at Colorado School of Mines, 3:30 PM ET (ESPN+)

The NAIA and D3 national semifinal pairings are also set, though as of this writing game dates/start times and broadcast information has not yet been announced. The semifinal games in each classification are:

NAIA
*Georgetown (KY) at Northwestern (IA)
*College of Idaho at Keiser

D3
*Wartburg vs North Central (IL)
*Randolph-Macon vs Cortland

Game sites/host teams have not yet been formally announced for the D3 semifinal games.

What a great season for the Bears, after losing their first two games of the season. In the heart of "Pennsylvania Dutch Country", there is an olde saying, "If you aint Dutch, you aint much!" Yah, Kootztahn" (phonetic pronunciation xsmiley_wix)

[CHIP72]

Playoff semifinal scores from D2, NAIA, and D3:

D2
*Colorado School of Mines won at home over Kutztown 35-7
*Harding crushed visiting Lenoir-Rhyne 55-14

Both Colorado School of Mines and Harding are undefeated and each school is looking for their first D2 national championship. CSoM is making its second straight title appearance, while Harding reached the championship game for the first time ever. This should be an excellent game. I was really surprised by Harding's dominant win over Lenoir-Rhyne; L-R had been very impressive in the playoffs before today.

Championship date/time/site: Saturday, December 16th, 1:00 PM ET in McKinney, TX (TV: ESPNU)

NAIA
*Northwestern (IA) outclassed visiting Georgetown (KY) 35-10
*Keiser outlasted College of Idaho in SE Florida 28-21

This will be rematch of last year's NAIA championship game, won by Northwestern. The squad from northwest Iowa will look to win their second straight and overall title, while Keiser is seeking its first ever NAIA national championship.

Championship date/time/site: Monday, December 18th, 12:00 PM ET in Durham, NC (stream: NAIA.org)

D3
*North Central (IL) got by host Wartburg 34-27
*Cortland smashed Randolph-Macon on the road 49-14

The championship will be a David vs Goliath type matchup; North Central is making its fourth straight D3 championship game appearance and is looking for its second straight championship and third in four seasons, while Cortland will be appearing in its first ever D3 national championship game. Cortland's semifinal win over Randolph-Macon was unexpected and surprising to me, but they'll be major underdogs against North Central.

Championship date/time/site: Friday, December 15th, 7:00 PM ET in Salem, VA (TV: ESPNU)

[Laker]

I was at the Georgetown-Northwestern game today. Cold and very windy. Red Raiders scored early and then in the last seconds of the first half. Too much for the Tigers who couldn't get stops on third down.

[clenz]

Wartburg fell down 20-0 in the first half. At one point near the end of the first quarter total yards were something like 113-1. Came back to take a 27-26 lead in the 4th, first time North Central trailed all season. NC answered with a TD and 2 point of their own.

Wartburg had a 4th and 1 inside the 5 with just over 2 minutes left and failed to convert. Burned all 3 timeouts to get the ball back but were stopped on 4th and 3 at their 27 with 24 seconds left.

1 or 2 mistakes to many against a team like NC.

NC was averaging something like 630 yards and 62 ppg before today.

[Laker]

NAIA Frontier Conference added Dickinson State as a full member. That leaves the North Star AA with only three football teams. Dakota State wants to go D2, not sure where Valley City or Mayville would go. And they also have Bellevue who doesn't have football.

[Laker]

D2 regional realignment in two years.

(1) RedditCFB on X: "A new #D2FB super region alignment has received committee approval, to begin in 2025 when Conference Carolinas begins sponsorship. SR1 (blue): CIAA, MEC, NE10, PSAC SR2 (yellow): CC, GSC, SAC, SIAC SR3 (green): GLIAC, GLVC, GMAC, NSIC SR4 (gray): GAC, LSC, MIAA, RMAC https://t.co/7VGKuvpoSq" / X (twitter.com) (https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1735365151954489685)

[Laker]

Breakdown of conferences/teams per region courtesy of Inkblot.

SR1 – 47
CIAA – 12
MEC – 10
NE10 – 9
PSAC – 16

SR2 – 35
CC – 6
GSC – 5
SAC – 11
SIAC – 13

SR3 – 41
GLIAC – 8
GLVC – 9
GMAC – 10
NSIC – 14

SR4 – 43
GAC – 12
LSC – 10
MIAA – 11 including Northeastern State
RMAC – 10

[CHIP72]

D2 regional realignment in two years.

(1) RedditCFB on X: "A new #D2FB super region alignment has received committee approval, to begin in 2025 when Conference Carolinas begins sponsorship. SR1 (blue): CIAA, MEC, NE10, PSAC SR2 (yellow): CC, GSC, SAC, SIAC SR3 (green): GLIAC, GLVC, GMAC, NSIC SR4 (gray): GAC, LSC, MIAA, RMAC https://t.co/7VGKuvpoSq" / X (twitter.com) (https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1735365151954489685)

At least in SR1, this setup would go back to what the region had a few years ago (CIAA being part of SR1 again).

[Laker]

Cortland State upsets North Central 38-37, stopping a late two point conversion for the D3 title.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Cortland beats North Central 38-37 to claim the D3 National Title! Stopped NC on a 2 point conversion with about 1:30 left. Amazing accomplishment for a SUNY!! I've had a connection to the program for a few years. This is so cool...

[clenz]

Sign stealing allegations against North Central have been popping up lately centering around the Wartburg game, well all games but the Wartburg coaches seem to be super convinced and tested the theory in game with changes and it paid off but it was "too little too late" as NC had already jumped out to a 21-0 lead and gave up 1 yard in the first quarter.

Wartburg's coaches may also have talked to Cortland's coaches and let them know what was happening and when Cortland adjusted mid-game to make sign stealing harder/impossible the game shifted again. Cortland went went to a different tempo by running plays in with a player rather than signing them in and did so with with no subs so NC couldn't take the sign and send a new defense in and the game took on a different tilt.


It's weird how that happened two games in a row for NC. They were just able to escape the first one because Wartburg had to go tempo again late in the game so the sign knowledge was able to be used again. Watching the last few drives of that Wartburg game, especially that final drive and 4th down play, it's weird how the two LBs and a safety didn't bite at all in any way on a play fake to one of the top backs in the country on a 4th and 2 and instead went flying to the other flat where the pass was going. The second they weren't able to control the game long enough/early enough for that to be a thing to be able to use late

[CHIP72]

Keiser upsets Northwestern 31-21 in the NAIA championship game. It is Keiser's first NAIA national title.


The #1 teams in D2, NAIA, and D3 all played in their classification's championship game, entering those games undefeated. All three teams (Colorado School of Mines in D2, Keiser in NAIA, North Central (IL) in D3) lost. The three teams that beat them (Harding in D2, Keiser in NAIA, Cortland in D3) all won their program's first national championship in their current classification.

[Laker]

NAIA North Star will be dissolved after next year. I wonder what will happen to the four remaining teams?

NSAA, which held post season tournaments in Watertown, announces it will be disbanding - Go Watertown (https://www.gowatertown.net/nsaa-which-held-post-season-tournaments-in-watertown-announces-it-will-be-disbanding/)

[bonarae]

Wow, D-III playoffs may go to 40 and the Stagg Bowl will be played in possibly the same week as Frisco and the CFP championship?

https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2023/40-teams

[Laker]

Jerry Glanville named defensive coordinator at Division 2 Northwestern Oklahoma St. Glanville, 82, has 57 years of coaching experience, including 8 years as NFL coach. He joins the Rangers, who were 1-10 last year. I wonder if he will leave tickets for Elvis?

[caribbeanhen]

Jerry Glanville named defensive coordinator at Division 2 Northwestern Oklahoma St. Glanville, 82, has 57 years of coaching experience, including 8 years as NFL coach. He joins the Rangers, who were 1-10 last year. I wonder if he will leave tickets for Elvis?

wow

lol tickets for Elvis

[bonarae]

John Carroll Blue Streaks off to the NCAC in 2025.

https://footballscoop.com/news/john-carroll-leaving-the-prestigious-oac-a-new-conference

[bonarae]

MIT has a new bowl game opportunity if they play good enough but is not selected for the playoffs.

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/02/newmac-ccc-scheduling-alliance

[Laker]

D3 Birmingham Southern to close. Birmingham-Southern to close - D3sports (https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/03/birmingham-southern-to-close)

[bonarae]

Tuskegee finally gets the lights...

https://hbcugameday.com/2024/04/05/tuskegee-university-adding-lights-to-historic-football-venue/

[Laker]

Neither school has football, but the NAIA admits Bismarck St and Carolina U. Does the state of North Dakota need another four year school?

NAIA Announces Membership Additions - NAIA (https://www.naia.org/general/2023-24/releases/NewMemberRelease_Spring2024)

[bonarae]

Ferrum may transition to D-II by 2025, joining a stacked Conference Carolinas there (only the conference invitation is there ATM).

https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/04/ferrum-to-d2

[bonarae]

UChicago 2024 schedule:

@ C-M-S - week 1 (Sept 7)
Midwest Conference schedule:
Monmouth Scots - week 2
@ Knox College - week 3
Bye (conference-wide) - week 4
Beloit - week 5
@ Illinois College - week 6
@ Ripon - week 7
Cornell College - week 8
@ Lawrence - week 9
Lake Forest - week 10

MIT schedule is not out yet. NEWMAC-CCC guaranteed games for the Engineers won't be until 2025.

[bonarae]

Hiram returns to the PAC from the NCAC in 2025.

https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/04/hiram-comes-back-to-pac

[bonarae]

Non-football but...

Wells College to close at the end of the academic year.

https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/04/wells-college-to-close

Fontbonne not accepting new students next season and may fold up athletics as well. Northland may also close too.

LeTorneau moves to the SCAC.

https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/04/letourneau-follows-asc-scac-pipeline

[bonarae]

Notre Dame (OH) is no more after this May.

https://www.d2football.com/notre-dame-college-will-close-after-spring-semester/

[FUBeAR]

Notre Dame (OH) is no more after this May.

https://www.d2football.com/notre-dame-college-will-close-after-spring-semester/
Mercers new HC, Mike Jacobs, and many of his staff at Mercer were HC/Staff @ Notre Dame College before they moved to Lenoir Rhyne and then to Mercer. They did well at NDC and L-R. Looking forward to see what they can do at Mercer. Condolences to the fans of this Notre Dame. Too bad it wasn’t the other one… xthumbsupx

[Laker]

NAIA
Dom Izzo (https://x.com/DomIzzoWDAY)@DomIzzoWDAY (https://x.com/DomIzzoWDAY)

Frontier Conference announces press conference tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. As reported by
@McFeely_Inforum (https://x.com/McFeely_Inforum) and @FargoBigE (https://x.com/FargoBigE), Valley City State heading to that league.

[bonarae]

Hendrix going back to SCAC from SAA.

https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/06/hendrix-goes-back-to-scac

[Laker]

NAIA Concordia of Michigan to stay open, but end athletics after next year.

The future of CUAA athletics beyond 2024-25 (https://blog.cuaa.edu/athletics-future/)

[JALMOND]

NAIA
Dom Izzo (https://x.com/DomIzzoWDAY)@DomIzzoWDAY (https://x.com/DomIzzoWDAY)

Frontier Conference announces press conference tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. As reported by
@McFeely_Inforum (https://x.com/McFeely_Inforum) and @FargoBigE (https://x.com/FargoBigE), Valley City State heading to that league.

I may find out more next week about this when I am in Montana. Sounds like it is a package deal starting in 2025 with the North Star Conference folding after 2024. The Frontier will pick up Bellevue (NE), Dakota State (SD), Dickinson State (ND), Valley City State (ND) and Mayville State (ND). Presentation College (SD) and Iowa Wesleyan are closing (or have closed). Vitterbo (WI) and Waldorf (IA) are moving to other conferences. Jamestown (ND) is moving up to DII. I am trying to find a link to this. Neither the North Star nor the Frontier have anything yet, so take it as you may.

[Laker]

I may find out more next week about this when I am in Montana. Sounds like it is a package deal starting in 2025 with the North Star Conference folding after 2024. The Frontier will pick up Bellevue (NE), Dakota State (SD), Dickinson State (ND), Valley City State (ND) and Mayville State (ND). Presentation College (SD) and Iowa Wesleyan are closing (or have closed). Vitterbo (WI) and Waldorf (IA) are moving to other conferences. Jamestown (ND) is moving up to DII. I am trying to find a link to this. Neither the North Star nor the Frontier have anything yet, so take it as you may.

Yes, it has already happened. And Simpson CA is starting football and they will join for that sport to make it an even number.

Frontier Conference announces major expansion for 2025-2026 season - Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/frontier-conference-announces-major-expansion-234900545.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABFQoKlOcHz1zHGqe6j31_TC9WGq 95ygmTFLbSyBy0UDCFWjzHGEM9L-cTkbyQwgcSeDmvBAvKUcq0pv7Q2AmyqIOpY1hclRXm_8B3YvzD RlgOR-mcB-_d-8gdbH6GVvlmFwKfSKaixj2RmYPptyv3AekGv9oLleXgJqeLo3I j_3)

[JALMOND]

Yes, it has already happened. And Simpson CA is starting football and they will join for that sport to make it an even number.

Frontier Conference announces major expansion for 2025-2026 season - Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/frontier-conference-announces-major-expansion-234900545.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABFQoKlOcHz1zHGqe6j31_TC9WGq 95ygmTFLbSyBy0UDCFWjzHGEM9L-cTkbyQwgcSeDmvBAvKUcq0pv7Q2AmyqIOpY1hclRXm_8B3YvzD RlgOR-mcB-_d-8gdbH6GVvlmFwKfSKaixj2RmYPptyv3AekGv9oLleXgJqeLo3I j_3)

Crazy. Back when I was there, we had only 4 football schools in the conference (MT Tech, W Mont, Carroll and Rocky). Now they are slated to have 14 in 2025. And I guess the conference approached Central Washington and Western Oregon as well, but they did not want to jeopardize their DII affiliation and would rather stay in the Texas based DII conference.

[Laker]

Another D3 school to close. Eastern Nazarene announces sudden closure - D3sports (https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/06/eastern-nazarene-sudden-closure)

[Laker]

Gallaudet finds conference to call home - D3football (https://d3football.com/notables/2024/07/gallaudet-finds-conference-home)

[bonarae]

Schreiner hired its coach very late into the restart cycle, thus delaying its return to 2026.

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/07/schreiner-first-coach-on-board

Stagg Bowl 2025 will be played at ... Texas Southern's home stadium.

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/06/stagg-bowl-gets-bigger-venue

Hilbert goes to the Liberty League in 2025.

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/06/empire-8-liberty-league-trade-hilbert

[bonarae]

Also, the NPI (NCAA Power Index) will be used to select the Road to Houston playoff field and seedings. Is it akin to the secretive FCS formula too? xconfusedx

https://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2024/06/28/atn-podcast-354-what-does-new-math-mean/

[Laker]

NSIC on X: "Congrats to @JimmieAthletics on their acceptance to @NCAADII. Excited for the 2025-26 academic year! https://t.co/8iZhfJjGgQ" / X (https://x.com/NorthernSunConf/status/1811481502649033184)

[bonarae]

UChicago football crisis is silently on, as Gilcrist is gone as well as 3 assistants...

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/07/chicago-coach-out

[bonarae]

Defiance is going back to NAIA.

https://www.defianceathletics.com/general/2023-24/releases/20231005j6rovh

Clarks Summit says goodbye.

https://d3sports.com/notables/2024/07/clarks-summit-joins-closures-list

[bonarae]

Maryville moving on to the SAA.

https://www.d3sports.com/notables/2024/07/maryville-moving-to-saa

[bonarae]

Meanwhile... since this is in the vein of the NCAA crisis and with some D-II and D-III schools already moving on to the NAIA... do you think a D-I school (think PFL or NEC) is considering going to the NAIA to escape paying the settlement fees? xchinscratchx

[bonarae]

McKendree has a sudden coaching change too.

https://www.d2football.com/mckendree-names-jason-rejfek-interim-head-coach/

[bonarae]

The Blueboys of Illinois College were voted first in the MWC poll. UChicago at 4th tied with Ripon.

https://midwestconference.org/news/2024/8/1/illinois-college-picked-first-in-2024-mwc-football-preseason-coaches-poll.aspx

NEWMAC hasn't released its poll yet.

MIAC (where St. Scholastica plays) has not yet released a poll either.

[bonarae]

Clark Atlanta gets red turf. It is also being pursued by the MEAC as well... xdontknowx

[JacksFan40]

Sioux Falls has a chance to get a scalp (does a Pioneer team count as a scalp?) against St. Thomas. Cougars lead 20-13 in late 3rd.

Is St. Thomas down this year? Because Sioux Falls was not good last year and has been down for a few years now.

[bonarae]

Sioux Falls has a chance to get a scalp (does a Pioneer team count as a scalp?) against St. Thomas. Cougars lead 20-13 in late 3rd.

Is St. Thomas down this year? Because Sioux Falls was not good last year and has been down for a few years now.

Hmm, PFL teams are still counted as scalps...

[bonarae]

Meanwhile, WestConn moves to the Landmark conference for next season.

https://d3football.com/notables/2024/08/west-conn-to-join-landmark

[Laker]

Hmm, PFL teams are still counted as scalps...

Yes, congrats to the Cougars for beating a FCS team on the road.
Mavericks race out to a 29-0 lead, Northwest Missouri State cuts it to 29-22 after several special team mistakes but QB Ekern rushes for his fourth TD (and one TD pass) to put away a road win 36-22. Luckily the rainstorm waited until after the game. It was hot and humid there- 7 hour trip one way is worthwhile when you win. I have to say that everyone was friendly- impressive press box listing the six national title years, four runner ups, and too many playoff appearances for me to count without taking off my shoes and sox. I remember when NMSU was winless- then I saw SDSU beat them on a fourth down play in the last seconds in1995 and I knew that they had turned things around.

[bonarae]

Washington U is sent off from the CCIW after the 2025 season. Can UChicago join them in a new conference, too?

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/09/cciw-cutting-wash-u-loose

[bonarae]

UChicago was shut out by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 24-0.

[bonarae]

MIT wins its OOC against Bridgewater State on the road, 37-17.

[Laker]

MSU Mankato kicks a field goal on the last play of the game to beat Bemidji St 31-29. Record opening night crowd, lots of Beaver fans, tremendous game.

[bonarae]

Carnegie Mellon joins the Centennial Conference as a football-only affiliate in 2025. By the way, the Tartans will play the Maroons at Stagg Field next season, hopefully as the opening game.

​https://athletics.cmu.edu/sports/fball/2024-25/releases/20240908smsbth

[bonarae]

West Virginia State player was murdered and thus his team's postponing their scheduled game.

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/09/12/shooting-claims-the-life-of-a-west-virginia-state-university-football-player/

https://hbcugameday.com/2024/09/12/west-virginia-state-postpones-game-in-wake-of-athlete-homicide/

[bonarae]

UChicago lost its conference opener to Monmouth Scots 34-21

[Laker]

Mavs win 35-28 at Wayne America in the last seconds again. 3-0. Fireworks after the game were spectacular- great way to spend my birthday down there.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

What should I do with this thread? bonarae you can pm me but I can just move this into DII Football as a megathread and move posts to other forums that are not DII? Or, I can just leave it alone and not mess with it.