2022 DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET
GLIAC -- Ferris State will continue defense of its 2021 national championship on Saturday, Dec. 10 when it hosts West Florida in a NCAA Division II semifinal showdown in Big Rapids.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at the Bulldogs' Top Taggart Field. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.
Ferris State (12-1) enters Saturday's contest after being designated as the No. 1 seed following the quarterfinal round while West Florida (12-1) is the No. 4 seed.
At stake is a berth in the 2022 NCAA Division II national championship game, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.
Ferris State captured the Super Region 3 title last weekend in the third round of the playoffs, edging rival Grand Valley State, 24-21. The Bulldogs previously downed Pittsburg State, 17-14, and Davenport, 41-7, in postseason play to reach the semifinals.
Saturday will mark the second-ever series’ matchup between FSU and West Florida. FSU fell to West Florida in the first matchup, 28-14, in the 2019 semifinals in Big Rapids.
West Florida's playoff journey has included victories over Limestone (45-19), Delta State (38-27) and Wingate (45-14). The postseason road win over Delta State avenged the Argonauts lone loss of the season, a 45-42 setback on Sept. 24. UWF, which is playing in its third national semifinal in the last five years, has forced at least three turnovers in each of its three NCAA Playoff games, coming up with five fumbles and seven interceptions in addition to blocked a punt returned it for a touchdown.
Saturday's matchup will pit strength against strength, as Ferris State currently ranks second in the nation in total defense (224.5 ypg) while West Florida has one of the top offenses in the country, averaging 43.5 points per game (2nd) and 7.46 yards per play (2nd).
On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Colorado School of Mines (12-2) hosts No. 3 Shepherd (13-1) at 3 p.m. for the second bid to the Division II title game.
GAME NOTES: FERRIS STATE | WEST FLORIDA
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