COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEMIFINALS IN D2 AND D3

The NAIA Championship Game is set for next Saturday between Morningside College and Benedictine College.

NCAA DIVISION TWO

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS welcomed the NOTRE DAME COLLEGE FALCONS yesterday. The Blazers grabbed a 9-0 lead in the opening Quarter only to see the Falcons eke out a 10-9 edge by Halftime. Valdosta State exploded for a 30-17 advantage to end the 3rd Quarter, then held on from there for a 30-24 triumph. The Blazers showed once again why the Gulf Coast Conference is called “the SEC of D2 Football.”

SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS against the home-standing MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS. The two teams seemed closely matched as the Bulldogs held just a 14-10 1st Quarter edge which shrunk to 21-19 by the break. Ferris State outscored the Mavericks 21-6 in the 2nd Half for a 42-25 victory. It will be the Blazers vs the Bulldogs for the D2 title.

NCAA DIVISION THREE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The legendary UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS are virtual fixtures in the D3 Championship Game. Standing in their way yesterday were the visiting JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BLUE JAYS. The Purple Raiders led the Blue Jays 14-6 come Halftime and 21-6 in the 3rd Quarter. Mount Union then held off Johns Hopkins for a 28-20 win and a return trip to the title tilt. 

SECOND SEMIFINAL – The UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR CRUSADERS did battle with the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT WHITEWATER WARHAWKS. After a scoreless 1st Quarter the Crusaders took a 17-0 lead into the locker room. The Warhawks made it a 17-7 affair to end the 3rd Quarter.  An action-packed 4th saw UMHB win the game 31-14. It will be Crusaders vs Purple Raiders for the D3 crown.