|
| Brockport celebrates the end of a 13-year Division III playoff drought. Brockport athletics photo |
|
The following teams have qualified for the 2017 NCAA Division III playoffs: Berry (SAA) At a glanceNo. 1 Mary Hardin-Baylor 51, Louisiana College 20 |
Brockport and Wesley fought off tough opponents to clinch automatic bids, while a host of other ranked teams wrapped up their conference titles on Saturday in Week 10's Division III football action.
Alfred scored and converted a two-point conversion with nine minutes left in the game to cut Brockport's lead to 28-25, and A.J. LiCata intercepted Brockport quarterback Joe Germinerio at midfield. But the Brockport defense did what it's done all season, keeping its opponent in check, forcing a three-and-out. Then, on the next drive, Julius Mizro intercepted Alfred's Bryce Morrison, setting the Golden Eagles up on the 24 and Christian Hollister took it in from there with 24 yards rushing on four carries for the score and Brockport sealed a 35-25 win. It's Brockport's first trip to the playoffs since 2003.
After trailing its rival 20-13 at the half, Wesley responded with 17 unanswered points as the No. 13 Wolverines defeated No. 25 Salisbury 30-20, clinching the automatic bid from the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Khaaliq Burroughs found James Okike on a fly route for a 72-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to give Wesley the lead, then scored on a 65-yard run himself with 7:25 left in the game.
Wittenberg scored the first 28 points of the game and the No. 12 Tigers had little trouble securing the automatic bid from the NCAC, defeating Ohio Wesleyan 42-23. Jake Kennedy was 24-for-35 passing for 323 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
St. Thomas allowed 1 net yard on 51 plays, including just 3 yards passing, as the No. 4 Tommies secured the MIAC's automatic bid to the playoffs with a 58-7 home defeat of Gustavus. Josh Parks rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Jacques Perra threw for 237 yards and two scores but the story was the Tommie defense, which recorded seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss in the win. Dylan Andrew led the way with four and a half tackles for loss of 19 yards, while Blake Weber returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown. It's the Tommies' eighth trip to the playoffs in nine seasons.
Brett Kasper threw for three long touchdowns in the first half and UW-Oshkosh did not need running back Dylan Hecker in a 42-7 win vs. UW-Eau Claire. The win gave the Titans the WIAC automatic bid for the second time in three seasons and third in sixth, but just the 10th all-time in a century of play. Kasper completed 13 of 19 passes for 275 yards with first-half touchdown throws of 55, 70 and 30 yards. His 70-yard scoring connection with Sam Mentkowski gave the Titans the lead for good at 13-7 late in the first quarter.
St. John's and Concordia-Moorhead remained on track for a Week 11 showdown which likely means an at-large bid for the winner. The No. 7 Johnnies rolled up 58 points in the middle two quarters in a 72-6 win at Hamline, while Concordia-Moorhead scored 33 of its points in the second and third in winning 54-12 vs. St. Olaf. St. John's outgained the Pipers 539-44 in its win, which saw Dusty Krueger score three touchdowns on the ground and eight other rushers combine for five. For the Cobbers, Blake Kragnes, who moved into the lineup after a midseason injury, threw for a career-long 97 yards and rushed for 107 and three TDs.
Freshman quarterback T.J. Peer and junior wideout Sergio Andino connected for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and the Frostburg defense posted a big fourth-down stop late in the fourth as the 14th-ranked Bobcats rallied past Kean, 17-14. The win keeps Frostburg State at one loss and in contention for an at-large bid.
No. 5 Delaware Valley cruised past Misericordia 51-7 to set up a winner-take-almost-all battle with rival Widener next weekend. Aggies running back Devauntay Ellis carried the ball 19 times for 231 yards and five scores, capping his day with a 76-yard touchdown run. The Aggies (9-0) clinched a share of the MAC title, but will have to beat Widener for the automatic bid. The Pride's defense scored twice in a 27-6 victory over King's.
No. 22 Springfield remained unbeaten and in line for a Pool B bid or an at-large bid to the NCAA playoffs with a 62-0 win at Maine Maritime. The Pride outgained the Mariners 585-75.
No. 15 Washington & Jefferson and No. 16 Case Western Reserve remained on their non-collision course as both PAC members, who are not on each other's schedule, won to improve to 9-0.
More to come.