(Courtesy UMDBulldogs.com)

FLORENCE, ALA. – David Nadeau, by his own admission, has had better kicks during his three years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, but none have been more important than the one he booted early Saturday afternoon in Florence, Ala. The junior placekicker put an exclamation point on a perfect season for the Bulldogs by nailing a 32-yard field goal as time expired, sending UMD to a 20-17 victory over Delta State University in the NCAA Division II championship game.

“When it came off of my foot, I knew it would be close,” said Nadeau. “It wasn’t the best kick I ever hit before by any means, but when I saw it going up, I knew then it was going in so I just turned around and ran.”

With the win, No. 1 UMD not only took home a second national championship (only eight other schools have claimed multiple titles) but became the first NCAA II club ever to go 15-0 in a season more than once, duplicating the mark turned in by the 2008 Bulldogs on their way to the school’s first NCAA II crown of any kind. Unranked Delta State, which like the Bulldogs were making its second title game appearance, concluded the year at 11-4.

“What a great game,” said UMD head coach Bob Nielson. “It was one of those days when both teams had an opportunity to win and it could have gone either way. We just kept plugging away and believing and when you do that, good things usually happen.”

UMD, which was meeting Delta State for the first time ever, struck first by getting a 32-yard field goal from Nadeau four minutes in, eight plays after junior Zach Hulce brought back the opening kickoff 47 yards on his first return as a Bulldog. Freshman Joe Reichert recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Delta State 34-yard line, but UMD was unable to capitalize — instead giving the ball back to the Statesmen deep in Bulldog territory after Alex Miller’s punt was blocked (for the first time this season) following a muffed snap and returned to the UMD 11. Three snaps later, Micah Davis and Maurice Moore hooked up on an eight-yard scoring strike to give the Statesmen a 7-3 lead. The Bulldogs answered right back on their next series as junior quarterback Chase Vogler found a wide open Ben Helmer in the end zone from 14 yards out to cap a nine-play, 76-yard drive and put the Bulldogs back on top by three. One possession after the Statesmen were snuffed by the Bulldogs on a fourth-and-goal situation at the UMD two, Davis hit Chance Davis with a 16-yard touchdown pass and Delta State went into the half up 14-10.

Read More: UMDBulldogs.com

(Courtesy UMDBulldogs.com)

For the first time in the storied 78-year history of University of Minnesota Duluth football, the Bulldogs have pulled off a conference championship three-peat.

UMD, the No. 1-ranked NCAA Division II team in the country, captured at least a share of its third consecutive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title Saturday afternoon by stomping the University of Minnesota Crookston 55-7 in Crookston. With the victory, the Bulldogs improved to 10-0 overall and 9-0 in the NSIC and can claim the 2010 league crown outright with a win in their regular season finale next Saturday at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Read More: UMD Bulldogs

UMD is led by NSIC Offensive Player of the Year running back Isaac Odim.  A former Harlon Hill Award finalist, he is UMD’s all-time leading rusher and scorer and a member of the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American team.  The defensive unit will be anchored by NSIC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Robbie Aurich, who led the team in tackles again last season with 93 stops and 40 solos.

This season will start with a change to avenge last year’s letdown loss to Central Washington.  This could be a pace-setting game for Duluth as they attempt to run through the NSIC North again to position themselves for home-field during the playoffs.  Key conference contests include Bemidji State, Winona State and 2009 NSIC South Champion Minnesota-Mankato.

D2 Sports Network predicts the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs will repeat as NSIC with a record of 12-2 in the semifinals of the NCAA playoffs.

Concordia-St. Paul, under the direction of Brady Starkey, reeled off its third straight national title last year after turning in a perfect 37-0 record, extending its NCAA Division II record 74-match win streak along the way. Despite losing setter Maggie McNamara, who was twice named the AVCA Division II National Player of the Year, the Golden Bears weren’t left shorthanded as the squad returns four starters and eight total letterwinners. Leading the charge will be middle blocker Emily Palkert, a two-time AVCA First-Team All-America selection and 2009 AVCA Second-Team All-American outside hitter Megan Carlson.

Registering at No. 2 in the poll is another familiar face in the world of the Division II elite. Head coach Kim Cherniss’s Cal State San Bernardino squad is fresh off another visit to the NCAA semifinals after rolling through 2009 with a 33-2 record and another California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title under its belt. The Coyotes welcome four starters, their libero and 13 letterwinners to the court in 2010, headlined by 2009 AVCA First-Team All-American outside hitter Jane Chafeh and 2009 AVCA Second-Team All-America honoree Samantha Middleborn at middle blocker.

The University of Tampa debuts the 2010 season in the poll’s third spot, as veteran mentor Chris Catanach prepares his team for another berth in the NCAA Championships. The Spartans were 31-3 a year ago, earned a share of the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) title and finished the campaign as the fourth-ranked team in the nation. Tampa returns its entire starting lineup to the floor, including its libero, and will be led by a trio of AVCA All-Americans – Melissa Vanderhall (outside hitter), Kaleigh Cunningham (outside hitter) and Meghan Sherman (setter).

Coming in at No. 4 in the rankings is the University of Indianapolis, after ending 2009 with one of the best campaigns in program history. One season after AVCA Division II National Coach of the Year Jody Butera guided her squad to a 38-2 record, a Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) title, a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals and a final national ranking of No. 6, the Greyhounds will have six starters and nine letterwinners back for another go-around. Spearheading the attack will be 2009 AVCA First-Team All-American setter Cheneta Morrison, while outside hitter Lyndsay Callahan, an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selection a year ago, also returns.

The University of Central Missouri enters the season where it ended the 2009 campaign – as the poll’s fifth-ranked team. Last year, the Jennies, with the guidance of taskmaster Flip Piontek, won their first Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title since 2000, advanced to the NCAA regional finals and ended the season with a 34-5 mark. Back are five starters, the libero and 11 total letterwinners from that squad, including a pair of AVCA All-America Honorable mention honorees – Allie Huffman at outside hitter and Rachel Fister at libero.

Rounding out the preseason top-ten are Washburn University, West Texas A&M University, UC San Diego, the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Courtesy: AVCA

In 2008, all of Mankato was abuzz with the team’s first playoff bid in 15 years before getting dumped in the first round.  That bittersweet success along with a 10-0 run, NSIC South title and a #4 national ranking last season ushered in much greater expectations as the final regular season game with rival St. Cloud State was on the horizon.  The Mavs came up short on the road as the Huskies pulled ahead with a late score.  Yet, they had a chance for redemption as they were awarded their first home playoff game in history.  The outcome was a heartbreaking over-time loss to Hillsdale from the GLIAC.

MSU started last season by defeating of out-of-conference foe Truman State, a bottom dweller of the MIAA, before a couple of close calls in overtime contests with fellow NSIC rivals Bemidgi State (8-3) and Wayne State (8-3).  They also had the good fortune of not having to play defending National Champ and eventual NSIC North Champion Minnesota-Duluth.  That said, they took care of the NSIC South handily and will hope the third time’s during the 2010 post-season.

The Mavericks will be led on offense by returning All-NSIC South and second-team All-Region running back Jake Aberg, who averaged over 100 yards per game.  He was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 205 yards in the win over Wayne State.  The defense will be anchored by returning All-NSIC South and All-Region defensive back Jesse Hamilton, who tied the school record with seven interceptions in a season last year.

Minnesota State opens the season on the road against a solid Northern Michigan team from the GLIAC.  This game will prove very important as a barometer for the Mavericks season and how the two conferences compare for regional rankings purposes.  Then, during a full slate of NSIC opponents they will get the chance to avenge one of their losses by hosting St. Cloud State mid-season before the regular season finale with the most formable of the group, the aforementioned Minnesota-Duluth.

D2 Sports Network predicts the Mavericks will defend their NSIC South title, but lose to Duluth before bouncing back and advancing to the second round of the NCAA playoffs finishing 11-2.

The Lakers lead the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings following the completion of the fall sports season.

In standings announced Wednesday, GVSU earned 380 points — well ahead of the nearest competitor. The Lakers are seeking their seventh consecutive Directors’ Cup trophy.

Minnesota-Duluth is second with 239 points, while Carson-Newman, Tenn., (231), California, Pa., (229) and West Texas A&M (216) round out the top five.

Grand Valley finished in the top 10 in four of the five championships it qualified for — women’s soccer, first; football and women’s cross country, second; and men’s cross country, fifth. They also finished 33rd in women’s volleyball.

–Courtesy HollandSentinal.com

It’s the second year in a row that Northwest has avenged a season-opening loss against Abilene Christian by beating the Wildcats in the postseason. It was also a bittersweet win for the Bearcat seniors, who improved to 27-1 at Bearcat Stadium. The lone loss was to the Wildcats last season.

Council capped the opening drive of the game with an 8-yard touchdown run. He had three rushing scores on the day and hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Blake Bolles in the fourth quarter. Council carried 17 times for 87 yards.

The Wildcats answered with a 29-yard field goal by Morgan Lineberry on their first possession and had third-and-goal from the 1 on their second. Quarterback Mitchell Gale tried to extend the football across the goal line on a sneak, but Northwest linebacker Willie Horn knocked the ball loose and the Bearcats recovered.

Northwest seized the momentum from that play and never gave it back. Two series later, Bolles broke a career-long 71-yard touchdown run that gave the Bearcats a 14-3 lead, which they took into halftime.

Wildcat running back Reggie Brown fumbled on the opening carry of the third quarter and Northwest recovered. Council scored from 1-yard out three plays later and the lead was 21-3. It was 35-3 before Abilene Christian tacked on a late score.

Abilene Christian entered Saturday’s game with the top run defense in the nation, but surrendered a season-high 168 yards to Northwest. It also allowed a season high for points. Northwest outgained Abilene Christian 397-288.

Both teams combined for seven turnovers. The Bearcats sacked Gale six times and recovered three Wildcat fumbles. Bolles threw a career-high three interceptions and lost another possession on a fumbled snap from center. He finished 15-of-20 for 229 yards and a touchdown in his first postseason start.

Northwest wide out Jake Soy caught seven passes for 141 yards – his seventh 100-yard effort this season. Edmund Gates caught eight passes for 102 yards for Abilene Christian.

–Courtesy Northwest Missouri State Athletics

Division II – Second Round

SCOREBOARD:

Super Regional 1

#9 West Liberty 84, Edinboro 63

#22 California (PA) 26, #17 Shippensburg 21

Super Regional 2

#5 North Alabama 41, #21 Arkansas Tech 28

#10 Carson-Newman 56, West Alabama 41

Super Regional 3

#3 Grand Valley State 44, #15 Hillsdale 27

#4 Minnesota-Duluth 42, #6 Nebraska-Kearney 7

Super Regional 4

#1 Central Washington 27, #12 Tarleton State 6

#2 Northwest Missouri State 35, #18 Abilene Christian 10

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

Interactive Bracket

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

The Lakers totaled 382 points, 141 more than second-place University of Massachusetts Lowell. GVSU finished in the top 10 of the five championships they qualified for — women’s cross country (second), women’s volleyball (third), men’s cross country (fifth), football (fifth) and women’s soccer (ninth).

The second place River Hawks placed second in women’s field hockey, fifth in men’s soccer, 13th in men’s cross country and 22nd in women’s cross country. Tampa is in a close third position after finishing third in men’s soccer, 14th in women’s cross country and 17th in both women’s volleyball and women’s soccer.

Minnesota-Duluth sits in fourth place after winning the national title in football and earning points in women’s cross country and volleyball. Rounding out the top five was Metropolitan State (CO) after the Roadrunners finished third in women’s soccer, 14th in men’s cross country, 17th in men’s soccer, 19th in women’s cross country and 33rd in women’s volleyball.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup is a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 14 sports — seven women’s and seven men’s.

–Courtesy NACDA

The Bulldogs, buoyed by a defensive unit which has been nothing short of stifling all year long, put a huge exclamation mark on a season for the ages by holding off No. 3 Northwest Missouri State University 21-14 in the NCAA II championship at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala. With the historic victory, UMD finishes the year a perfect 15-0 — one of only three NCAA II schools to ever reach that mark.

“All I can say is ‘wow,’” said UMD head coach Bob Nielson, whose club completed the greatest one-year turnaround (they were 4-6 one year ago) since the NCAA II began keeping that statistic in 1996. “The kind of win we had today really speaks to the character of our football team. They never give up and are always supportive of one another, no matter what the circumstances. Today’s game is simply a great ending to a great, great year.”

For the 14th time in 15 games this season, No. 6 UMD got on the scoreboard first when senior wide receiver Tony Doherty hauled in a 38-yard touchdown catch from senior All-American quarterback Ted Schalfke with 14 seconds remaining in the opening half. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 14-0 midway though the third quarter on a Schalfke-to-Isaac Odim scoring strike from five yards out before Odim made it 21-0 a liitle more than a minute into the fourth quarter by plowing ahead for his school-record 30th overall touchdown on the year.

Northwest Missouri added a pair of scores in the last eight minutes of regulation – a 44-yard interception return by Aldwin Foster-Rettig and a one-yard touchdown reception by Ralphael Robinson to pull to within seven. But, on the ensuing kickoff following Robinson’s touchdown, Northwest Missouri State attempted an onside kick which was smothered by Bulldog senior Luke Schalekamp sealing UMD’s first NCAA II championship in any sport.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy of UMD Athletics