Upsets Shake Up DII Football Power 10 Rankings Ahead of Championship Selection Show
ICARO Media Group
In a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, several upsets rocked Super Region Four and reshuffled the final DII football Power 10 rankings. As teams made last-second bids for their entry into the 2023 DII football championship, fans eagerly anticipate the selection show tonight, Sunday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
In one of the standout games, Kutztown delivered a dominant performance, utterly dominating Slippery Rock to win the PSAC championship with a 31-7 victory. Kutztown's defense was in shutdown mode, intercepting Slippery Rock's Brayden Long three times. This impressive win could potentially propel Tiffin to the No. 1 spot in Super Region One and give Kutztown a boost in the selection process.
Another noteworthy game saw No. 7 East Stroudsburg edging out No. 4 Cal (PA) with a final score of 37-30. The Warriors' late-game surge led them to a 9-2 record, their most wins since 2008. With a strong home record of 6-0, East Stroudsburg may secure a spot in the DII football championship for the first time since 2009. Cal (PA) is also expected to maintain a solid resume to stay in the bracket, but the win by Frostburg State adds an interesting twist.
Frostburg State entered their game against No. 8 Fairmont State needing a victory to stay in contention for the postseason. Not only did the Bobcats win, but they also routed the Falcons with a resounding 50-20 triumph. Myles Fulton led the way with an impressive performance, amassing 254 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and an additional rushing touchdown. With several teams ranked above them experiencing losses, Frostburg State awaits their fate to determine if this significant victory was enough to secure the final spot in Super Region One.
Super Region Two witnessed more predictable outcomes, as teams ranked 1-5 successfully handled their business. In the CIAA championship, No. 7 Virginia Union defeated No. 6 Fayetteville State with a score of 21-10. This win improved the Panthers' record to 9-1, leaving the Broncos at 8-2 and at risk of missing out on the tournament. Jada Byers once again showcased his talent, rushing for 135 yards and two scores.
In Super Region Three, Limestone emerged as the dominant force, overpowering their opponents with a convincing 47-29 triumph. The Saints' star trio, quarterback Dustin Noller, running back Tre Stewart, and wide receiver Jelani Baker, delivered outstanding performances, collectively amassing impressive stats. Limestone's strong showing should secure them a spot in the bracket for the second consecutive year.
The competition in Super Region Four proved to be intense, with No. 1 Colorado School of Mines and No. 2 Western Colorado winning decisively. However, No. 4 UT Permian Basin shocked No. 3 Central Washington in the Lone Star Conference championship, securing a 42-14 victory and an undefeated LSC record. Despite Central Washington's losses, they still have a chance to make it to the postseason, although it remains uncertain.
In a captivating contest, No. 6 Augustana (SD) emerged victorious over No. 5 Bemidji State, solidifying their position in the Power 10 rankings. Quarterback Brandon Alt put forth an outstanding performance, accumulating 356 passing yards and three touchdowns. With this win, Augustana (SD) is likely to claim the No. 4 spot in their part of the bracket.
Adding to the excitement, unranked Minnesota Duluth pulled off a stunning upset against No. 7 Minnesota State with a final score of 33-21. Kyle Walljasper led the Bulldogs with an impressive all-around performance, throwing for 210 yards and rushing for 79 yards. With the closely contested part of the bracket involving Angelo State, Wayne State (Neb), and Texas A&M Kingsville, the competition for a playoff spot remains in flux.
As the regular season concludes, the final DII football Power 10 rankings have been unveiled. No. 1 Colorado School of Mines tops the list after an impressive season, scoring 82 points in their last game and remaining undefeated. Grand Valley State and Harding claim the second and third spots, respectively, following convincing victories.
Defending champions Ferris State secure the fourth rank, while Benedict moves up to fifth place. Central Missouri and Pittsburg State share the sixth spot after dominating performances in their respective games. Delta State finishes the regular season strong with a 41-3 victory and claims the eighth position.
Augustana (SD) cracks the Power 10 rankings at ninth place, while UT Permian Basin secures the final spot. As the championship selection show approaches, exciting matchups await, and the battle for playoff berths intensifies. The outcome of these closely contested contests will determine the fate of these teams, leaving fans eager to see which schools will compete in the 2023 DII football championship.