It’s finally here: the end of the 2011 season in three divisions is upon us. Brief recaps of the D-II and D-III semifinals, and previews of the D-II, D-III, and NAIA Championship Games follow.
DIVISION II:
Wayne State (MI) 21, Winston-Salem State 14
at Bowman-Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem NC; attendance 8,721
The Warriors jumped out in front 14-0, and after Winston-Salem scored near the end of the half to come back within a touchdown, padded the lead back to 14 late in the third quarter. An interception which left the Rams with first-and-goal at the Wayne State five yard line was enough to close the score to within seven again, but Wayne State’s defense stifled two other second-half encroachments into their red zone to seal the victory.
My pre-game prediction:
Pittsburg State 49, Delta State 23
at Carnie Smith Stadium/Brandenburg Field, Pittsburg KS; attendance 8,427
In a game plagued by turnovers (eleven in all) the Gorillas reeled off 28 points in the second quarter to bury the visiting Statesmen. Two more scores in the second half — as well as a series of three consecutive Statesmen drives which ended on failed fourth-down conversions — kept Delta State from mounting a comeback.
My pre-game prediction:
Pittsburg State 37, Delta State 20. That was pretty much the gist of things, as the extra scoring on the part of the Gorillas was the result of a punt return for a touchdown and a pick-six.
DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP:
Wayne State (MI) (12-3) vs Pittsburg State (13-1)
Braly Stadium, Florence AL, SATURDAY 11am ET
Airs on ESPN2. Video available via ESPN3. Audio available via WDTK and KKOW. Live Stats available via NCAA.
Series: first meeting.
Jon’s Prediction:
Pittsburg State 33, Wayne State 27. Wayne State has been somewhat mercurial even through this post-season run, never mind the regular season. They are capable of pouring on offense; they are capable of playing good defense. The problem is that they usually only do one of the two, and end up winning shootouts or winning low-scoring slugfests.
Pittsburg State is not prone to low-scoring games, however, and they have one of Division II’s best defenses. I am very confident that the Gorillas are going to score in the thirties. Wayne, not so much.
DIVISION III:
Mount Union 28, Wesley (DE) 21
at Mount Union Stadium, Alliance OH; attendance 2,722
They trailed 14-13 at the half, but a pair of third-quarter turnovers allowed Mount Union to pull away and establish a two-touchdown lead which the defense — aided by three Isaiah Scott interceptions — was able to hold up. It was a narrow thing in the end, however, as Wesley outgained the Purple Raiders 496-431, behind 350 passing yards from Shane McSweeny.
My pre-game prediction:
Wesley 24, Mount Union 21. What made the difference? Askia Jahad’s fumble on the first play of the third quarter, which Mount Union converted into the head after a short drive. If Wesley instead scores on that drive… alas, a chance lost.
Wisconsin-Whitewater 20, Saint Thomas (MN) 0
at Perkins Stadium, Whitewater WI; attendance 2,438
The nation’s #1 rushing defense held Levell Coppage to “only” 110 yards, but the Tommie’s vaunted offense accomplished next to nothing against Whitewater’s defense. Dakota Tracy was held to 64 passing yards, and two Tommie turnovers didn’t help the cause either.
My pre-game prediction:
Wisconsin-Whitewater 24, Saint Thomas (MN) 20. Simply put, I underestimated the Warhawk defense. They locked down a very talented and disciplined trio of players.
STAGG BOWL (DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP):
Mount Union (13-0) vs Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-0)
Salem Football Stadium, Salem VA, FRIDAY 7pm ET
Airs on ESPN2. Video available via ESPN3. Audio available via Mount Union. Live Stats available via NCAA.
Series: 5-3 Mount Union, including 3-3 in D-III Championship Games (last: 2010 Championship, 31-21 Whitewater)
Jon’s Prediction:
Wisconsin-Whitewater 24, Mount Union 14. It’s Game Seven, and momentum is with the Warhawks. Mount Union has not mounted much offense in the playoff run, even though they have played teams that have allowed bunches of points. Their defense, of course, has been carrying them. But that would have been the argument for Saint Thomas last week, and Whitewater just ran all over them anyway (relatively speaking, that is). I just don’t see Mount Union as being that powerful this year, and Whitewater shouldn’t have that much trouble shutting them down offensively.
NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP:
Saint Xavier (13-1) vs Carroll (MT) (13-1)
Barron Stadium, Rome GA, SATURDAY 4:30pm
Airs on CBS Sports Network (613 DirecTV, 152 Dish Network). No internet video feed available. Audio available via WXAV and KBLL. Live Stats available via DakStats.
Series: tied 1-1 (last: 27-5 Carroll, at Carroll, 2010 playoffs)
Jon’s Prediction:
Saint Xavier 31, Carroll (MT) 24. If SXU hadn’t lost to Marian in the regular season, this would be a no-brainer. Saint Xavier and Marian are, and quite clearly have been, the two best teams in the NAIA this year, and they’ve only lost to one another. Carroll is good, and they are the defending champions, and yes, they did beat Saint Xavier last season. That was last year.