2008 NCAA Division II football season

The 2008 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began on August 30, 2008, and concluded with the NCAA Division II Football Championship on December 15, 2008 at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, hosted by the University of North Alabama. The Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs defeated the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, 21–14, to win their first Division II national title.[2]

2008 NCAA Division II football season
Regular seasonAugust 30 – November 8, 2008
PlayoffsNovember 15 – December 15, 2008[1]
National ChampionshipBraly Municipal Stadium
Florence, AL
ChampionMinnesota–Duluth
Harlon Hill TrophyBernard Scott, Abilene Christian

The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Bernard Scott, running back from Abilene Christian.

Conference and program changes

SchoolFormer conferenceNew conference
Augustana VikingsNCCNSIC
Brevard TornadoesIndependentSAC
Bryant BulldogsNE10Independent (FCS)
Central Washington WildcatsNCCGNAC
C. W. Post PioneersNE10PSAC
Chowan HawksIndependentCIAA
CSU Pueblo ThunderWolvesNew programRMAC
Dixie State TrailblazersIndependentGNAC
Gannon Golden KnightsGLIACPSAC
Humboldt State LumberjacksIndependentGNAC
Lake Erie StormNew programIndependent
Lincoln LionsNew programIndependent
Mercyhurst LakersGLIACPSAC
Minnesota State MavericksNCCNSIC
Minnesota–Duluth BulldogsNCCNSIC
Nebraska–Omaha MavericksNCCMIAA
North Dakota Fighting SiouxNCCGreat West (FCS)
St. Cloud State HuskiesNCCNSIC
South Dakota CoyotesNCCGreat West (FCS)
Southwest Baptist BearcatsMIAAIndependent
Tiffin DragonsGLFCGLIAC
Western Oregon WolvesIndependentGNAC
Western Washington VikingsNCCGNAC

Brevard, Central State, Dixie State, and Seton Hill completed their transitions to Division II and became eligible for the postseason.

Regional realignment

The geographic names of the four super regions gave way to numerical names. The Northeast Region, with the addition of the CIAA, became Super Region 1; the Southeast Region minus the CIAA became Super Region 2. The Northwest Region, with the addition of the RMAC and loss of the defunct NCC, became Super Region 3, while the Southwest Region, minus the RMAC and with the addition of the GNAC (sponsoring football again after a two-year hiatus) became Super Region 4.

Conference standings

Super Region 1

2008 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
North
Elizabeth City State xy  7 0     7 4  
Bowie State  4 3     5 4  
Virginia State  4 3     5 5  
Saint Paul's  3 4     5 5  
Virginia Union  3 4     5 5  
South
Shaw xy$  6 1     8 3  
Fayetteville State x  6 1     8 2  
St. Augustine's  3 4     4 6  
Johnson C. Smith  2 5     3 7  
Livingstone  2 5     2 8  
Chowan  1 6     2 8  
Championship: Shaw 36, Elizabeth City State 7
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • Lincoln (PA) played a full CIAA schedule as a provisional Division II member.
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 Northeast-10 Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 25 American International $^  7 0     9 2  
Southern Connecticut ^  6 1     8 3  
Merrimack  4 3     6 4  
Bentley  4 3     5 6  
Pace  3 4     4 6  
Stonehill  2 5     4 6  
Saint Anselm  1 6     2 8  
Assumption  1 6     1 9  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
East
No. 17 West Chester xy^  7 0     9 4  
No. 11 Bloomsburg ^  6 1     11 2  
East Stroudsburg  5 2     9 2  
Kutztown  4 3     5 6  
Shippensburg  3 4     4 7  
C. W. Post  2 5     3 8  
Millersville  1 6     1 10  
Cheyney  0 7     0 11  
West
No. 6 California (PA) xy$^  7 0     12 2  
No. 20 Edinboro  5 2     9 2  
No. 21 Indiana (PA)  5 2     8 2  
Mercyhurst  5 2     7 4  
Slippery Rock  3 4     5 6  
Gannon  2 5     4 7  
Clarion  1 6     3 8  
Lock Haven  0 7     0 11  
Championship: California (PA) 47, West Chester 36
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Glenville State $  7 1     8 3  
No. 24 Seton Hill ^  6 2     10 3  
West Liberty State  6 2     7 4  
West Virginia State  5 3     7 3  
Charleston (WV)  5 3     7 4  
Shepherd  3 5     5 5  
Fairmont State  3 5     5 6  
West Virginia Wesleyan  1 7     1 10  
Concord  0 8     0 11  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 2

2008 Gulf South Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 7 Delta State $^  8 0     10 2  
No. 3 North Alabama ^  7 1     12 2  
No. 12 Valdosta State ^  6 2     9 3  
Ouachita Baptist  5 3     7 3  
Arkansas–Monticello  5 3     7 4  
Henderson State  4 4     5 5  
Arkansas Tech  4 4     5 5  
West Alabama  2 6     4 7  
Southern Arkansas  2 6     2 8  
Harding  1 7     2 9  
West Georgia  0 8     0 10  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 South Atlantic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 16 Tusculum +^  5 2     9 4  
No. 18 Carson–Newman +^  5 2     7 4  
Newberry +  5 2     6 4  
Wingate  4 3     8 3  
Mars Hill  4 3     7 4  
Catawba  4 3     6 4  
Lenoir–Rhyne  1 6     3 8  
Brevard  0 7     1 9  
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2008 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 14 Tuskegee $  9 0     10 1  
Albany State ^  6 3     7 4  
Morehouse  6 3     6 4  
Fort Valley State  6 3     6 5  
Clark Atlanta  5 4     6 5  
Benedict  4 5     5 6  
Lane  4 5     4 7  
Stillman  2 7     3 8  
Miles  2 7     2 8  
Kentucky State  1 8     3 8  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 NCAA Division II Super Region 2 independents football records
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
UNC Pembroke       8 1  
North Greenville       2 9  
Lincoln (PA) #       0 9  
  • # – Provisional Division II member
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 3

2008 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 4 Grand Valley State $^  10 0     11 1  
No. 15 Ashland ^  8 2     9 4  
Michigan Tech  7 3     8 3  
Wayne State (MI)  7 3     8 3  
Saginaw Valley State  7 3     7 3  
Hillsdale  6 4     7 4  
Ferris State  5 5     6 5  
Indianapolis  4 6     5 6  
Northern Michigan  2 8     2 8  
Northwood  2 8     2 8  
Findlay  1 9     2 9  
Tiffin  1 9     1 10  
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2008 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
North
No. 1 Minnesota–Duluth $^  10 0     15 0  
St. Cloud State  7 3     7 4  
Bemidji State  4 6     5 6  
Mary  4 6     4 7  
MSU Moorhead  2 8     2 9  
Minnesota–Crookston  1 9     2 9  
Northern State  1 9     1 10  
South
No. 23 Minnesota State ^  9 1     9 3  
No. 19 Wayne St. (NE) ^  8 2     9 3  
Augustana (SD)  7 3     8 4  
SW Minnesota State  6 4     6 5  
Winona State  6 4     6 5  
Concordia–St. Paul  3 7     4 7  
Upper Iowa  2 8     2 9  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 9 Chadron State $^  9 0     11 2  
Colorado Mines  7 2     8 4  
Nebraska–Kearney  7 2     7 4  
Mesa State  6 3     6 5  
Adams State  5 4     5 6  
CSU–Pueblo  3 6     4 6  
New Mexico Highlands  3 6     3 8  
Western New Mexico  2 7     2 8  
Western State  2 7     2 8  
Fort Lewis  1 8     2 9  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 Great Lakes Football Conference standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Missouri S&T $  3 1     7 4  
Kentucky Wesleyan  2 1     4 6  
Central State  2 1     2 7  
Saint Joseph's (IN)  1 2     5 5  
Lincoln (MO)  0 3     2 8  
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 NCAA Division II Super Region 3 independents football records
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Lake Erie #       3 8  
  • # – Provisional Division II member
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 4

2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 13 Central Washington $^  8 0     10 2  
Western Oregon  5 3     7 4  
Western Washington  5 3     6 5  
Dixie State  2 6     4 7  
Humboldt State  0 8     2 9  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
North
Central Oklahoma  6 3     7 4  
SE Oklahoma State  6 3     6 5  
Texas A&M–Commerce  5 4     5 5  
East Central  2 7     3 8  
SW Oklahoma State  1 8     3 8  
Northeastern State  0 9     1 10  
South
No. 5 Abilene Christian $^  9 0     11 1  
No. 10 W. Texas A&M ^  8 1     11 2  
Tarleton State  6 3     8 3  
Texas A&M–Kingsville  6 3     7 4  
Midwestern State  5 4     6 4  
Angelo State  3 6     3 8  
Eastern New Mexico  1 8     2 9  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • † – Eastern New Mexico vacated both wins.
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 2 NW Missouri St. $^  9 0     13 2  
No. 8 Pittsburg State ^  8 1     11 2  
No. 22 Nebraska–Omaha ^  6 3     7 4  
Central Missouri  5 4     7 4  
Missouri Western  5 4     6 6  
Washburn  4 5     6 5  
Truman  3 6     4 7  
Emporia State  2 7     4 7  
Missouri Southern  2 7     4 7  
Fort Hays State  1 8     2 9  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2008 NCAA Division II Super Region 4 independents football records
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Southwest Baptist       5 6  
OK Panhandle State       3 7  
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Conference summaries

Conference Champions

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Shaw
Great Lakes Football Conference – Missouri S&T
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Grand Valley State
Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington
Gulf South Conference – Delta State
Lone Star Conference – Abilene Christian
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association – Northwest Missouri State
Northeast-10 Conference – American International
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference – Minnesota–Duluth
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference – California (PA)
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference – Chadron State
South Atlantic Conference – Carson-Newman, Newberry, and Tusculum
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Tuskegee
West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Glenville State

Postseason

2008 NCAA Division II Football Championship
Teams24
Finals Site
Champion
Runner-up
Semifinalists
Winning Coach
  • championship
Attendance6,219

The 2008 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs involved 24 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football.[3]

The tournament began on November 15, 2008 and concluded on December 13, 2008 with the 2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship game at Braly Municipal Stadium near the campus of the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.[3]

In the championship game the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs defeated the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats, 21–14.

Participants

SchoolConferenceSeason Record
Abilene Christian UniversityLone Star Conference100
Albany State UniversitySouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference73
American International CollegeNortheast Ten Conference91
Ashland UniversityGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference83
Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State Athletic Conference101
California University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State Athletic Conference101
Carson-Newman CollegeSouth Atlantic Conference73
Central Washington UniversityGreat Northwest Athletic Conference101
Chadron State CollegeRocky Mountain Athletic Conference101
Delta State UniversityGulf South Conference91
Grand Valley State UniversityGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference100
University of Minnesota DuluthNorthern Sun Intercollegiate Conference110
Minnesota State University, MankatoNorthern Sun Intercollegiate Conference92
University of Nebraska at OmahaMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association73
University of North AlabamaGulf South Conference101
Northwest Missouri State UniversityMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association101
Pittsburg State UniversityMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association101
Seton Hill UniversityWest Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference92
Southern Connecticut State UniversityNortheast Ten Conference82
Tusculum CollegeSouth Atlantic Conference83
Valdosta State UniversityGulf South Conference82
Wayne State CollegeNorthern Sun Intercollegiate Conference92
West Chester University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State Athletic Conference83
West Texas A&M UniversityLone Star Conference101

Bids by conference

Conference Total Schools Super Region
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 2 Ashland University
Grand Valley State University
3
Great Northwest Athletic Conference 1 Central Washington University 4
Gulf South Conference 3 Delta State University
University of North Alabama
Valdosta State University
2
Lone Star Conference 2 Abilene Christian University
West Texas A&M University
4
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association 3 University of Nebraska at Omaha
Northwest Missouri State University
Pittsburg State University
4
Northeast Ten Conference 2 Southern Connecticut State University
American International College
1
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 3 Minnesota State University, Mankato
Wayne State College
University of Minnesota Duluth
3
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference 3 Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
1
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 1 Chadron State College 3
South Atlantic Conference 2 Carson-Newman College
Tusculum College
2
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 1 Albany State University 2
West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 1 Seton Hill University 1

Playoff format

The first-round games were conducted on the campus of one of the competing institutions as determined by the NCAA Division II Football Committee. Two teams in each super regional earned first-round byes. The first-round winners advanced to face a bye team in their super regional. Second-round winners met in the quarterfinals and quarterfinal winners advanced to play in the semifinals.[3]

First-round, second-round, quarterfinal and semifinal games were played on the campus of one of the competing institutions as determined by the NCAA Division II Football Committee. The home team at the championship was determined by the Division II Football Committee and the Shoals National Championship Committee.

National television coverage

The championship game was played at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama and broadcast live on ESPN2 on December 16.[3]

The semifinal games were broadcast on ESPN2 (North Alabama vs. Northwest Mo., 4pm EST) and ESPN Classic (California (PA) vs. Minnesota-Duluth, 12pm EST) on December 6.[3]

The Superregional championship (quarterfinal) games were broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN Classic on November 29.[4]

Tournament Notes

Final standings

Place School
1st University of Minnesota-Duluth
2nd Northwest Missouri State University
3rd California University of Pennsylvania
University of North Alabama
5th Abilene Christian University
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Delta State University
Grand Valley State University
9th Ashland University
Chadron State College
Pittsburg State University
Seton Hill University
Tusculum College
Valdosta State University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Texas A&M University
17th Albany State University
American International College
Carson-Newman College
Central Washington University
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Southern Connecticut State University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Wayne State College

Super Regional 1

  First round
November 15
    Second round
November 22
    Super Regional finals
November 29
                           
      2 California (PA) 48  
  6 Seton Hill 14     6 Seton Hill 7    
  3 American International 7         2 California (PA) 27
      1 Bloomsburg 24
      1 Bloomsburg 28    
  5 S. Connecticut 32     4 West Chester 21  
  4 West Chester 52  

Super Regional 3

  First round
November 15
    Second round
November 22
    Super Regional finals
November 29
                           
      2 Minnesota–Duluth 20  
  6 Wayne State (NE) 17     3 Chadron State 10    
  3 Chadron State 23         2 Minnesota–Duluth 2OT 19
      1 Grand Valley State 13
      1 Grand Valley State 40    
  5 Minnesota State 16     4 Ashland 7  
  4 Ashland 27  

Super Regional 2

  First round
November 15
    Second round
November 22
    Super Regional finals
November 29
                           
      2 North Alabama 37  
  6 [[[Carson–Newman Eagles football|Carson–Newman]] 20     3 Valdosta State 10    
  3 Valdosta State 24         2 North Alabama 55
      1 Delta State 34
      1 Delta State 27    
  5 Albany State 22     4 Tusculum 19  
  4 Tusculum 34  

Super Regional 4

  First round
November 15
    Second round
November 22
    Super Regional finals
November 29
                           
      2 Northwest Missouri Bearcats 38  
  6 Nebraska–Omaha 21     3 Pittsburg State 35    
  3 Pittsburg State 33         2 Northwest Missouri State 45
      1 Abilene Christian 36
      1 Abilene Christian 93    
  5 Central Washington 42     4 West Texas A&M 68  
  4 West Texas A&M 49  

Semifinals and championship

Semifinals
December 6
Championship
December 13
      
SR1 Champion California (PA) 7
SR3 Champion Minnesota–Duluth 45
SR3 Champion Minnesota–Duluth 21
SR4 Champion Northwest Missouri State 14
SR2 Champion North Alabama 7
SR4 Champion Northwest Missouri State 41
Seton Hill vs. American International
1 2 3 4 Total
Seton Hill 0 0 7 7 14
American International 0 0 7 0 7

The Seton Hill Griffins deflected and intercepted a pass by the American International quarterback Rob Parent with 5:45 left and scored with 5:02 remaining for a 14–7 win over the Yellow Jackets' in the first-ever NCAA playoff game for both programs.[5]

S. Connecticut vs. West Chester
1 2 3 4 Total
S. Connecticut 6 12 0 14 32
West Chester 14 14 14 10 52

West Chester defeated Southern Connecticut State, 52–32, as Jackson Fagan rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns. Fagan scored on runs of 61, 7 and 4 yards. QB Joe Wright threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and the Golden Rams also scored on a 22-yard interception return by defensive tackle Scott Schiavo.[6]

Wayne State vs. Chadron State
1 2 3 4 Total
Wayne State 10 0 0 7 17
Chadron State 7 9 7 0 23

Wayne State quarterback Silas Fluellen completed 17 of 40 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown, but could not overcome the 243 yards and three touchdowns by Chadron State quarterback Joe McLain who left the game with an injury as the Eagles defeated the Wildcats, 23–17. Wayne State had four turnovers inside the 10-yard line in the game.[7]

Minnesota State vs. Ashland
1 2 3 4 Total
Minnesota State 6 7 0 3 16
Ashland 0 13 0 14 27

In its first ever home playoff game the Ashland University Eagles defeated the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks, 27–16. Quarterback Billy Cundiff threw a 66-yard scoring completion to Joe Horn with 11:56 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Eagles took the lead for good. Previously, Ashland was 0–3 in the school's playoff history.[8]

Carson-Newman vs. Valdosta State
1 2 3 4 Total
Carson-Newman 7 7 0 6 20
Valdosta State 0 7 8 9 24

The Valdosta State Blazers fell behind early, but rallied in the second half to defeat Carson-Newman Eagles, 24–20. Ronnye Nelson ran for 83 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards for the Blazers. The win was the fifth straight playoff win for the Blazers, the defending NCAA Division II Champions.[9]

Albany State vs. Tusculum
1 2 3 4 Total
Albany State 3 7 12 0 22
Tusculum 0 7 7 20 34

The Tusculum College Pioneers only led the final 3:31 of the game against the Albany State Rams, but scored on three fourth quarter drives to win 34–22. Senior quarterback Corey Russell finished the game with 87 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 15 carries and was 23-of-38 passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns for the Pioneers. Tusculum maintained its streak of no games lost at home in two seasons.[10]

Nebraska-Omaha vs Pittsburg State
1 2 3 4 Total
Nebraska-Omaha 7 7 0 7 21
Pittsburg State 7 13 0 13 33

Quarterback Mark Smith scored a rushing touchdown that put the Pittsburg State Gorillas out of range of the late-surging University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks in a 33–21 win. The 24th-ranked Mavericks took the lead in game, 21–20, with 13:05 left in the game, but the Gorillas took back the lead, 26–21 with 5:27 left in the game. Smith scored on a 32-yard touchdown with 2:10 left in the game to seal the win. Smith finished with 365 yards of total offensive, including 212 rushing yards for the Gorillas.[11]

C. Washington vs. West Texas
1 2 3 4 Total
C. Washington 7 14 14 7 42
West Texas 8 27 14 0 49

Keith Flemming put the West Texas A&M Buffaloes ahead for good with a 6-yard run late in the second quarter in a 49–42 victory over Central Washington Wildcats. Flemming ran for four touchdowns and Keith Null threw three touchdown passes (35 of 49 passes for 463 yards and one interception).[12]

West Chester vs. Bloomsburg
1 2 3 4 Total
West Chester 7 0 7 7 21
Bloomsburg 7 0 7 14 28

The West Chester Golden Rams got a late touchdown pass but failed to recover an onside kick as Bloomsburg held on for a 28–21 victory. A 62-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jesse Cooper in the fourth quarter gave the Huskies a 21–14 lead. Bloomsburg scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 3:41 left in the fourth to extend the lead to 28–14.[13]

California (PA) vs. Seton Hill
1 2 3 4 Total
Seton Hill 0 7 0 0 7
California (PA) 14 14 14 6 48

California University of Pennsylvania's QB Kevin McCabe threw three touchdowns as the Vulcan's defeated Seton Hill, 48–7. McCabe completed 19 of 24 passes for 253 yards. Terrence Johnson ran an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Seton Hill's lone score came on a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown.[13]

Chadron State vs. Minnesota Duluth
1 2 3 4 Total
Chadron State 0 0 10 0 10
Minnesota Duluth 0 7 13 0 20

Minnesota Duluth held Chadron State to just 8 yards rushing for the game in a 20–10 victory. The Bulldogs held the ball for nearly 40 minutes while gaining 388 yards in total offense. The Eagles gained 178 yards in total offense.[14]

Ashland vs. Grand Valley State
1 2 3 4 Total
Ashland 0 0 0 7 7
Grand Valley 14 10 3 13 40

The Grand Valley State, the top seed in Super Region 3, defeated Ashland University, 40–7. The Lakers scored on their first two possessions and built a 24–0 halftime lead. Ashland's only score came on the first play of the fourth quarter as quarterback Billy Cundiff hit Christian Livingston with an 8-yard touchdown pass. Grand Valley answered on the next offensive play with a 62-yard touchdown run. The Lakers' defense ended with eight sacks and nine tackles for lost yardage.[15]

Valdosta State vs. North Alabama
1 2 3 4 Total
Valdosta State 0 3 0 7 10
N. Alabama 7 9 14 7 37

North Alabama avenged last season's quarterfinal playoff loss to defending Division II Champion Valdosta State, 37–10, as QB A.J. Milwee threw for 167 yards and one touchdown and ran for another score. The Lions took a 16–3 halftime lead and scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Valdosta State only touchdown came as Dudley Spence returned a fumble 55-yard for a score in the fourth quarter.[16]

Tusculum vs. Delta State
1 2 3 4 Total
Tusculum 0 6 7 6 19
Delta State 0 10 10 7 27

Delta State compiled 529 yards of offense as QB while Garrett DeWitt threw for 344 yards and backup quarterback Blake Barnes rushed for two touchdowns as the Statesmen defeated Tusculum, 27–19. The Statesmen defense held allowed 425 (310 in the air) but forced Tusculum into three turnovers. The win advanced Delta State to the Division II playoff quarterfinals for the third straight year.[17]

Pittsburg State vs. Northwest Mo.
1 2 3 4 Total
Pittsburg State 7 6 15 7 35
Northwest Mo. 7 17 7 7 38

Northwest Missouri State came from behind to defeat Pittsburg State 38–35. Pittsburg State took the lead with 3 minutes, 30 seconds remaining, but QB Joel Osborn threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright with 55 seconds left gave the Bearcats a victory. The Gorillas racked up 408 total yards of offense as QB Mark Smith rushed for 123 yards and passed for 185 yards.[18]

West Texas vs. Abilene Christian
1 2 3 4 Total
West Texas A&M 14 20 20 14 68
Abilene Christian 21 21 37 14 93

The Abilene Christian University Wildcats set a record for points in an NCAA playoff game (93) as they scored touchdowns on 13 of its 15 possessions in a 93–68 defeat of West Texas A&M.[19][20] The Wildcats compiled 810 total yards as quarterback Billy Malone threw six touchdown passes, each to a different receiver, and completed 16 of 25 passes for 383 yards. Bernard Scott rushed for 292 yards on 19 carries and scored seven touchdowns.[19]

West Texas was led by quarterback Keith Null (42-of-63, 595 yards, seven touchdowns), and Charly Martin who had 14 catches for 323 yards and five TDs as the Buffs compiled 721 total yards of offense.[19]

The Wildcats will play Northwest Missouri State in the national quarterfinals, a rematch of ACU's 44–27 victory on Aug. 30.[19]

California (PA) vs. Bloomsburg
1 2 3 4 Total
California (PA) 6 7 14 0 27
Bloomsburg 7 7 3 7 24

California of Pennsylvania eliminated Bloomsburg University, 27–24, to advance to the semifinals. The Vulcans scored two third-quarter touchdowns to take a 27–17 lead, but Bloomsburg scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Dan Latorre to close the gap to 27–24. The Huskies were attempting a game-winning drive, but the Vulcans linebacker Darren Burns forced a fumble by Latorre on a 28-yard quarterback draw and Brandon Gordon recovered the fumble for the

Vulcans. The Vulcans then ran out the clock.[21]

Minnesota Duluth vs. Grand Valley
1 2 3 4OT Total
Minnesota Duluth 0 7 6 06 19
Grand Valley 3 3 0 70 13

Sophomore linebacker Kiel Fechtelkotter intercepted a pass from Grand Valley State quarterback Brad Iciek in the second overtime to seal a 19–13 double-overtime victory. UMD scored a touchdown in the second overtime, but the Lakers blocked the extra-point attempt. Two plays later, Fechtelkotter made the interception, ending the game.[22]

North Alabama vs. Delta State
1 2 3 4 Total
North Alabama 7 24 21 3 55
Delta State 7 7 7 13 34

The Lions avenged their only loss this season, defeating Delta State, 55–34. While defense gave up 541 yards in total offense to the Statesmen, they also forced six turnovers total and scored twice on defense (interception returns for touchdowns by Darron Dampier and Michael Johnson). Wide receiver Joemal Campbell caught two touchdown passes and blocked a punt for the Lions.[23]

Northwest Mo. vs. Abilene Christian
1 2 3 4 Total
Northwest Mo. 14 14 7 10 45
Abilene Christian 10 10 7 9 36

Northwest Missouri State secured their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division II semifinals with a 45–36 victory against Abilene Christian. The Bearcats' quarterback Joel Osborn threw for 247 yards (19-of-28) and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Blake Bolles finished with 69 yards through the air and one touchdown pass, and 51 yards rushing and one touchdown run.[24]

California (PA) vs. Minnesota Duluth
1 2 3 4 Total
California (PA) 0 0 7 0 7
Minnesota Duluth 7 10 14 14 45

A week after upsetting Grand Valley State, the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs advanced to the National Championship game with a 45–7 victory over California (Pa.). The Bulldogs held the Vulcans to their lowest rushing total of the season, while forcing five turnovers. California had averaged nearly 200 yards rushing and 38 points per game this season. Isaac Odim rushed for 126 yards and scored four touchdowns for the Bulldogs.[25]

North Alabama vs. Northwest Mo.
1 2 3 4 Total
North Alabama 0 7 0 0 7
Northwest Mo. 20 7 14 0 41

Northwest Missouri State Bearcats played turnover-free football while forcing two North Alabama turnovers en route to a 41–7 victory. The Bearcats defense held North Alabama to one touchdown as they advanced to their fourth straight national championship game.[26]

Championship

1 2 3 4 Total
Minnesota Duluth 0 7 7 7 21
Northwest Mo. 0 0 0 14 14

The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs won the school's first NCAA Division II football championship in a 21–14 win over the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Minnesota Duluth's quarterback Ted Schlafke threw 38-yard touchdown pass to Tony Doherty with 14 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 7–0 lead. Later he threw a 5-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to Issac Odim for a 14–0 lead. Odim ran for a 4-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter for a 21–0 lead. Northwest Missouri's first score came on a 44-yard interception return by Aldwin Foster-Rettig cutting the score to 21–7. The Bearcats cut the lead to 21–14 as Raphael Robinson scored on a 2-yard touchdown catch with 1:36 left in the game. Minnesota Duluth recovered an onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.[27]

Minnesota Duluth finished the season with a 15–0 record. Northwest Missouri ended the season with a 13–2 record and suffered its fourth consecutive loss in the Division II championship game.[27]

See also

References

  1. "2005-2009 California (PA) Schedules". College Football Warehouse. cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  2. "2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship Bracket" (PDF). NCAA. NCAA.org. p. 14. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  3. "D-II Football Field Announced". 2008-11-09. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  4. "2008 Division II NCAA football tournament schedule/results". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on 12 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  5. "Sixth-Seeded Seton Hill Tops Third-Seeded AIC 14-7". AICYellowjackets.com. American International College Athletics. 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  6. Kern, Mike (2008-11-17). "College Football Wrap". Philly.com. Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  7. "So. Illinois Sneaks Past SDSU; NDSU Defeats Missouri State". Yankton.net. Yankton Press & Dakotan. 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  8. Haidet, Doug (2008-11-15). "Ashland wins first playoff game in school history". Ashland Times-Gazette.com. Ashland Publishing Co., LLC. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  9. Fazio, Bryan (2008-11-16). "Another playoff rally by VSU". The Valdosta Daily Times. Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  10. Byrd, Joe (2008-11-17). "Next Stop: Delta State, Fourth Quarter Rally Lifts Pioneers To Playoff Victory Over Albany State". GreenevilleSun.com. The Greeneville Sun. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  11. Clark, Matthew (2008-11-15). "Gorillas rally from 1-point deficit to defeat Mavericks". The Morning Sun. GateHouse Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  12. "West Texas A&M holds off Central Washington". Seattlepi.com. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  13. "Bloomsburg ousts West Chester in Div. II playoffs". timesleader.com. The Times Leader. 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  14. Nowacki, Jon (2008-11-23). "UMD surges to historic win". Duluth News Tribune. Forum Communications Co. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  15. Johnson, Greg (2008-11-22). "Grand Valley State routs Ashland in playoff game". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  16. "Milwee, North Alabama roll past Valdosta St". Ledger-Enquirer.com. McClatchy Company. 2008-11-22. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  17. "No. 4 Statesmen move on". 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  18. Dunaway, Rick (2008-11-23). "Northwest edges Pittsburg State in playoff thriller". stjoenews.net. NPG Newspapers Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  19. "ACU shatters records in offensive explosion". Your Abilene Online. The E.W. Scripps Co. 2008-11-22. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  20. "Abilene Christian scores record 93 points in win". International Herald Tribune. International Herald Tribune. 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  21. Dietz, Doyle (2008-11-30). "Bloomsburg U. comes up short". republicanherald.com. Times-Shamrock Communications. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  22. Lubbers, Rick (2008-11-28). "College football: UMD beats Grand Valley State in OT". Duluth News Tribune. Forum Communications Co. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  23. McIntyre, Jeff (2008-11-30). "All three phases are dominant as Lions roll into D2 semifinals". TimesDaily.com. New York Times Regional Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  24. Dunaway, Rick (2008-11-29). "Northwest stymies much-hyped Abilene Christian". stjoenews.net. NPG Newspapers Inc. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  25. Mackall, Dave (2008-12-08). "UMD rolls, reaches title game". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  26. Dunaway, Rick (2008-12-06). "Bearcats headed to 4th straight national championship game". St. Joseph News-Press. NPG Newspapers Inc. Archived from the original on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  27. "Bulldogs Bite Last!!!!". Shoals National Championship Committee. 2008-12-13. Archived from the original on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
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