D2 Football – Playoff Field Announced
WILDCAT FOOTBALL CLAIMS NUMBER ONE SEED IN NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
Central Earns First-Round Bye; to Open Postseason at Home Nov. 21
The Central Washington University football team, which enters the postseason as the only undefeated team in NCAA Division II football, will be the number one seed in the Super Region Four and received a first-round bye in the NCAA Division II Football Championship as tournament selections were announced Sunday afternoon by the NCAA.
The Wildcats, 11-0 overall, will have their first playoff game on Nov. 21 at noon Pacific Standard Time at Tomlinson Stadium against the winner of fourth-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville (9-2) and fifth-seeded Tarleton State (9-2).
Also in the championship in the Super Region Four are third-seeded Midwestern State (9-2) and sixth-seeded Abilene Christian (8-3), with the winner facing second-seeded Northwest Missouri State (10-1).
The trip to the postseason is Central’s fourth in the past eight years. The Wildcats have hosted two previous playoff home games since coming to the Division II level, with one each in 2002 and 2007. Central is also making its third straight trip to the postseason, advancing to the national quarterfinals two years ago and making a first-round appearance last fall.
In addition to the team’s number one seeding in the Super Region Four, the Wildcats are likely to make their first-ever appearance as the number one nationally-ranked team in Division II. Central is in its 11th season as a member of the NCAA after moving up from the NAIA level prior to the 1999 football season.
Central Washington claimed its 32nd all-time football conference championship on Oct. 31 with its win at Dixie State.
–Courtesy Central Washington Athletics
SR1:
1. West Liberty
2. Shippensburg
3. California (PA)
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Edinboro
6. Fayetteville State
SR2:
1. North Alabama
2. Carson-Newman
3. Albany State
4. Arkansas Tech
5. UNC-Pembroke
6. West Alabama
SR3:
1. Minnesota-Duluth
2. Grand Valley State
3. Minnesota State-Mankato
4. Nebraska-Kearney
5. Saginaw Valley State
6. Hillsdale
SR4:
1. Central Washington
2. Northwest Missouri State
3. Midwestern State
5. Texas A&M – Kingsville
6. Tarleton State
7. Abilene Christian
