Re: Lower Division Championship Weekend

[letsgonecks]

This weekend will be the championship games for DII, DIII and NAIA. Looks like all will be broadcast on ESPN networks and should be some good football.

NAIA Championship
59th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship
Friday, Dec. 19 | Municipal Stadium | Daytona Beach, Fla.
Marian (Ind.) (11-2) vs. Southern Oregon (12-2), 2:03 p.m. CST
Broadcast live on ESPNU

Marian is looking for their 2nd NAIA Championship (2012) in only their 8th year as a program. Led by Quarterback Hayden Northern (hey wait a second, I know that guy) and 4 year starting running back Tevin Lake, whom DraftScout has listed as the 103rd running back in the this years draft. Listed as the 103rd back is pretty good recognition for and NAIA guy (JC Baker is 95). Also on the roster is Soph RB Jalen Duncan, who was once a WIU signee.

One more random note on Marian; their basketball coach is former Iowa and Butler Coach Todd Lickliter.

DII Championship
Saturday, Dec. 20, Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan.
Colorado State University - Pueblo (13-1) vs. Minnesota State - Mankato (14-0), 3p.m. CST
Broadcast live on ESPN 2

The ThunderWolves of Pueblo are looking for their first ever National Championship. Looks to be a pretty darn good team and I know Capt Obvious, they'd have to be darn good to make the Championship, but I'm talking about their week 2 convincing win over FCS Semi-finalist SHSU. Took down the Bearkats 46 to 21 in Huntsville.

The Mavericks of Mankato are also looking for their first ever National Championship. They knocked off Nielson's former squad Duluth in the second round of the playoffs and have a WIU connection in their offensive coordinator, Jason Eck who was our OL Coach in 2012.

DIII Championship
Friday, Dec. 19, Salem Stadium, Salem, Va.
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater (14-0) vs. Mount Union (14-0) 6p.m. CST
Broadcast live on ESPNU

This one brings us the usual suspects. Mount Union is looking for their 11th since 1996 and UW-Whitewater going for their 6th in the last 8 years. All 5 of Whitewater Championships have come against Mount Union including last years 52 to 14 victory. Mount Union has taken down Whitewater 3 times in the championship game.

This will be Coach Leipold's last game at the helm for Whitewater as he'll be tasked with taking over the struggling University at Buffalo program of the MAC.

A side note on Whitewater; they won the Triple Crown in mens sports taking home DIII NCAA Championships in Football, Basketball and baseball.

[ST_Lawson]

hey scott can we get the first one removed. Had to edit a few things and it reposted it.

Done, and cleaned up a bit for you (took out the quote part, so it looks like the original post, but it's the content from the second post).

[BobLovely]

I have tickets to the Division II contest here in Kansas City. Sporting Park is a great venue for this game.

Bob

[wiu712]

Sporting Park in Kansas City, KS
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