The Curse of Brian Kelly lives on, Division II gets its third 2,000 yard freshman running back ever, and another unbeaten team goes home. Second-round recaplets, regional final previews, and stuff and things (including announcement of a new conference) right after the jump.
Super Region 1
(4)Shepherd 41, at (1)Kutztown 34
With eight minutes to go, Kutztown trailed Shepherd (11-1) 19-14. Then bedlam ensued. A 70-yard completion led to the go-ahead score, and on the ensuing Rams possession Jay McKnight picked off a pass and returned it to the house; suddenly the Bears were out in front 27-19. Shepherd’s response? “Not so fast, my friend.” Keon Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff for a score, and Maurice Perry intercepted Kutztown’s first pass of the following possession and notched a pick-six of his own. Just like that Shepherd led again 34-27; the two teams had scored 28 points in 1:45. With just under two minutes to go, Shepherd iced the game on Tommy Addison’s 73-yard touchdown run. Kutztown — in their first playoff appearance in school history — came up short, and finishes the season at 10-2.
at (2)Mercyhurst 28, (6)Bloomsburg 14
The two teams combined for fewer points than Mercyhurst (10-2) scored all by themselves in their State Game meeting two weeks ago, but the result was the same as the Lakers outmanned the Huskies. Bloomsburg’s Franklin Quiteh ran for 132 yards on the afternoon, becoming only the third freshman in D-II history to break the 2,000 yard mark in a season. Bloomsburg ends the season at 10-2.
Regional Final: (4)Shepherd at (2)Mercyhurst
Both of these teams are capable of scoring points by the bushel. They’re also both capable of giving them up by the truckload. Expect a high-scoring affair, and I think Mercyhurst is going to benefit from having played in a slightly tougher league.
Super Region 2
at (1)Albany State 30, (4)Wingate 28
Albany (11-0) held off a stubborn Bulldog offense who refused to go away; the Rams never trailed, but they also never led by more than nine points. Wingate concludes their first-ever playoff action, and finishes at 9-3.
at (2)Delta State 47, (6)North Alabama 24
Our Bowden Watch is over, as Delta (9-3) piled up 359 yards on the ground and 524 overall to spank the Lions. The Statesmen thus avenge a 31-7 defeat last month and move on. UNA ends the year 9-4.
Regional Final: (2)Delta State at (1)Albany State
Two fairly complete teams match up here, and the key edge probably goes to Albany, who have the benefit of playing at home where they tend to have a larger-than-normal advantage.
Super Region 3
at (1)Minnesota-Duluth 20, (4)St. Cloud State 17 (OT)
The number one team in the land almost went home for the winter, as Duluth (12-0) escaped St. Cloud in overtime. The Bulldogs had to get a 19-yard field goal from David Nadeau in the closing seconds just to force the extra period. The Huskies, still riding the wave of having their program saved from extinction, will go home with a 10-3 record (two of those losses being to Duluth).
at (2)Augustana (SD) 38, (3)Grand Valley State 6
Augustana (11-1) used six turnovers and a blocked punt to just flat out hammer the Lakers, who’ll be sitting at home watching the regional finals for the second time in three years. With one exception, every team that has defeated Grand Valley in the playoffs has made it to Florence (although admittedly only three of them did it before getting to Florence; maybe this bodes well for Augie, who secured their first playoff win in school history. The loss was the worst loss suffered by Grand Valley since 1999, and leaves them with an 11-2 record.
Regional Final: (2)Augustana (SD) at (1)Minnesota-Duluth
These two conference-mates did not meet during the regular season, and until Augustana’s surprise loss to Wayne State it looked like the conference title was going to be left hanging on that small detail. We finally get to see them face off, and it should be a good one. Based on last week’s games, I’m going to suggest that Augustana had the much more impressive win, and pick them for the upset here.
Super Region 4
(4)Central Missouri 55, at (1)Abilene Christian 41
Unbeaten Abilene isn’t anymore. Central Missouri (11-2) busted out to a 35-6 lead just before halftime, but the Wildcats charged back to make it a 35-34 game late in the third quarter. The Mules regained their composure, though, and outscored Abilene 20-7 in the fourth to seal the upset. Abilene’s first loss of the year leaves them at 11-1… and at home.
(3)Northwest Missouri State 35, at (2)Texas A&M-Kingsville 31
Another revenge game went the way of the previous victim, as Northwest (11-1) came back from 10-point deficits on three separate occasions to get past Kingsville. The Bearcats completed their last comeback with only 18 seconds on the clock as Blake Bolles hit Josh Baker with a 3-yard TD pass to seize the lead, and the win. The Javelinas end the year with a 10-2 mark.
Regional Final: (4)Central Missouri at (3)Northwest Missouri State
They met three weeks ago at Northwest to decide the MIAA title in a game which was decided by one point as Northwest won on a field goal as time expired. You think this game’s going to be much different? This one’s a true pick’em.
News and Stuff:
Gulf South: (Region Two)
Super Region 2 Semifinal: at (2)Delta State 47, (6)North Alabama 24
Saturday:
Super Region 2 Final: (2)Delta State at (1)Albany State
As reported several weeks ago, the six Arkansas schools in the GSC are leaving. Tuesday, those six schools as well as three Oklahoma schools from the LSC officially announced the formation of the Great American Conference.
Mid-America: (Region Four)
Super Region 4 Semifinal: (4)Central Missouri 55, at (1)Abilene Christian 41
Super Region 4 Semifinal: (3)Northwest Missouri State 35, at (2)Texas A&M-Kingsville 31
Saturday:
Super Region 4 Final: (4)Central Missouri at (3)Northwest Missouri State
Kanza Bowl (Topeka, KS): Midwestern State (8-3) vs. Washburn (7-4)
Mineral Water Bowl (Excelsior Springs, MO): Concordia-St. Paul (8-3) vs. Pittsburg State (5-6)
Great Lakes IAC: (Region Three)
Super Region 3 Semifinal: at (2)Augustana (SD) 38, (3)Grand Valley State 6
Saturday:
Season complete.
South Atlantic: (Region Two)
Super Region 2 Semifinal: at (1)Albany State 30, (4)Wingate 28
Saturday:
Season complete.
Northern Sun: (Region Three)
Super Region 3 Semifinal: at (1)Minnesota-Duluth 20, (4)St. Cloud State 17
Super Region 3 Semifinal: at (2)Augustana (SD) 38, (3)Grand Valley State 6
Saturday:
Super Region 3 Final: (2)Augustana (SD) at (1)Minnesota-Duluth
Mineral Water Bowl (Excelsior Springs, MO): Concordia-St. Paul (8-3) vs. Pittsburg State (5-6)
Great Northwest: (Region Four)
Season complete.
Lone Star: (Region Four)
Super Region 4 Semifinal: (4)Central Missouri 55, at (1)Abilene Christian 41
Super Region 4 Semifinal: (3)Northwest Missouri State 35, at (2)Texas A&M-Kingsville 31
Saturday:
Kanza Bowl (Topeka, KS): Midwestern State (8-3) vs. Washburn (7-4)
See above for the Great American Conference announcement; the Lone Star teams involved are Southwestern Oklahoma State, Southeastern Oklahoma State, and East Central.
Pennsylvania: (Region One)
Super Region 1 Semifinal: (4)Shepherd 41, at (1)Kutztown 34
Super Region 1 Semifinal: at (2)Mercyhurst 28, (6)Bloomsburg 14
Saturday:
Super Region 1 Final: (4)Shepherd at (2)Mercyhurst
West Virginia: (Region One)
Super Region 1 Semifinal: (4)Shepherd 41, at (1)Kutztown 34
Saturday:
Super Region 1 Final: (4)Shepherd at (2)Mercyhurst
Rocky Mountain: (Region Three)
Season complete.
Southern: (Region Two)
Tuskegee 17, at Alabama State 10 (non-conference, Thanksgiving)
Super Region 2 Semifinal: at (1)Albany State 30, (4)Wingate 28
Saturday:
Super Region 2 Final: (2)Delta State at (1)Albany State
Pioneer Bowl (Columbus GA): St. Augustine’s (8-2) vs. Fort Valley State (8-2)
Northeast Ten: (Region One)
Season complete.
Central: (Region One)
No games.
Saturday:
Pioneer Bowl (Columbus GA): St. Augustine’s (8-2) vs. Fort Valley State (8-2)
Great Lakes FC:
Season complete.
Independents:
Season complete.