Division II Football

Midwestern State University football player Robert Grays died Tuesday from injuries suffered when he made a tackle during the Mustangs' game Saturday against Texas A&M University–Kingsville.

On Wednesday, Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com reported Grays was taken to a local hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, on Saturday and then transported to a Houston medical facility, where he died. Trey Reed, the school's athletics department spokesman, confirmed the 19-year-old cornerback's death.

"Today we mourn the loss of one of our own," Midwestern State president Suzanne Shipley said in a statement. "Robert Grays died yesterday from critical injuries suffered in Saturday's game. I know you will join me in expressing the sincerest condolences of the MSU community to Robert's family and friends. Please keep them in your thoughts in the coming days."

She added: "Robert touched many lives while attending the university, but perhaps he will be remembered best for his smile. He was an inspiration on and off the field to those around him, and he will be remembered with love and affection by his friends, classmates, coaches and teammates."

MSU assistant coach Donte Ellington reacted to the news via Twitter:

NCAA Division II also posted a message of condolence on social media:

Grays was a sophomore corner from Houston who was majoring in general business, according to his official bio on the Mustangs' website. He registered 24 total tackles and two passes defended during his freshman season. He'd tallied 10 tackles through two games in 2017.

The family of Zack Langston, the former Pittsburg State University football player who fatally shot himself in 2014, is reportedly suing the NCAA for its handling of concussions. 

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com) reported the news Monday and noted the federal lawsuit was filed Friday. In addition to "questioning the governing body's handling of concussions, including more than 100 they say factored into Zack Langston's death," the suit accuses the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association of negligence.

Langston was 26 years old when he died.

The AP report cites the lawsuit allegations saying Langston suffered through behavioral issues and mood swings after he finished playing football. It also points out a private examination of Langston's brain revealed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE.

According to Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star, the lawsuit alleges the NCAA knew about the dangers of concussions and head-related injuries for decades, but "recklessly disregarded this information to protect the very profitable business of 'amateur' college football."

This comes after the AP reported in October the NCAA is facing 43 class-action lawsuits surrounding its handling of concussions.

Langston's family is seeking unspecified damages in the suit.

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Northern Michigan offensive lineman Anthony Herbert died at the age of 20 on Tuesday following a morning workout, per Justin P. Hicks of MLive.

Hicks cited a university spokesperson who said emergency crews could not resuscitate Herbert.

Hicks noted Herbert had returned to his room following the workout and breakfast when EMTs were then called for his medical emergency.

University President Fritz Erickson released a statement, per Hicks: "What caused his passing is unknown at this time, and right now our concern is for Anthony's family, friends, teammates, coaches and team staff, teachers and fellow students."

"In my brief time with Anthony, I could tell that he was a great young man," head coach Kyle Nystrom said in a statement, per Hicks. "He was well-respected by his coaches and teammates and was a leader on the offensive line. We are devastated by this tragedy, and we are keeping his family in our prayers."

Herbert started 11 games in the 2016-17 season and was a member of the All-GLIAC academic team, per Hicks.

Nicholas Turner, a junior defensive end on the Northwest Missouri State football team, was found dead in his dorm room Sunday, the school announced.

The Nodaway County coroner's office and local authorities are investigating, though no foul play is suspected. According to USA Today's A.J. Perez, the coroner's full autopsy report will be completed in 10 to 12 weeks.

Brendan Welch of the St. Joseph News-Press reported head coach Adam Dorrel informed his players of Turner's death during a celebration honoring Northwest Missouri State's Division II national championship.

Turner appeared in 12 games this past year, making 22 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also recorded a sack in the Bearcats' 34-7 victory over the Shepherd Rams in the D-II title game.

History will be made in the 2014 Division II Football Championship game Saturday, as both Colorado State-Pueblo and Minnesota State-Mankato have never won a national title.

The Thunderwolves reached the game by barely escaping against West Georgia 10-7 in the semifinals. The Mavericks, on the other hand, defeated Concord with ease, 47-13.

Both second-seeded teams have faced tough competition en route to Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and the competition only gets stiffer. Two teams that have never won the big game are sure to put on a show.

You won't want to miss out on the action.

When: Saturday, Dec. 20

Where: Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas

Time: 4 p.m. ET

TV Broadcast: ESPN2

Potent Offense vs. Powerhouse Defense

The Thunderwolves defense has been superb, allowing just 49 points in the three games of this tournament. Defensive end Darius Allen is a huge reason for that success, recording six sacks.

The pressure Allen puts on opposing quarterbacks also rushes them in the pocket and forces errant throws, therefore making the job of his secondary much easier.

Colorado State-Pueblo is a gritty team capable of playing in close games, something that is imperative on such a big stage. Head coach John Wristen knows the game his team played against West Georgia wasn't necessarily pretty, but it was more than enough to get the job done, as he told Skylar Rolstad of NCAA.com:

Every playoff game is a game where you’ve just got to find a way to survive and advance. Our guys found a way on Saturday [against West Georgia]. Statistics weren’t always in our favor but you’re not judged by statistics, you’re judged by you wins and losses, so I think when you can win a ball game like that it’s a good step because you gain a little confidence when you go through.

This type of mentality is what should help the defense hound the Mavericks' potent offensive weapons.

To illustrate MSU's strong unit, it's best to turn to their semifinal game against Concord. Per the Associated Press:

The Mavericks gained 498 yards of offense, with 268 yards rushing on 47 carries. Minnesota State Mankato had nearly 18 minutes more in possession time.

Mavericks quarterback Ricky Lloyd completed 14 of 18 passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns. Connor Thomas rushed for 123 yards and scored twice, becoming the school's career touchdown leader with 33.

MSU's game plan revolves heavily around Thomas, who is the career touchdown leader at the school. If the Thunderwolves can manage to clog up running lanes and pressure Lloyd to throw, the defense could find a ton of success.

Against a defense that allowed just 13.7 points per game this season, MSU won't find it easy to gain yards. It's going to be the ultimate battle of offense versus defense, with the more dominant unit leading its team to victory.

Prediction

It's evident the defense of both teams is going to be the focal point of this game, and Chad Courrier of the Mankato Free Press tweeted that he's expecting the same:

MSU was really only challenged once this season, a 24-21 overtime victory over Pittsburgh State. That was its lowest-scoring game of season, and the team only scored in the 20s one other time. Every other contest was 31 or higher.

The Mavericks also have played strong defense, allowing opponents to score just 12.9 points per game.

Rest assured this won't be a blowout, however. Expect Colorado State to put up a fight similar to the one Pittsburgh State did against MSU in late November.

When analyzing two teams playing in a title game, it's best to look at the teams who have proven themselves in close contests. Sure, MSU outlasted Pittsburgh State and went undefeated this year, but Colorado State's last two wins have come by a combined six points.

The Thunderwolves' only loss of the season came against Fort Lewis by one point, but they quickly responded with a 41-13 drubbing of Chadron State.

All signs point to this being a defensive struggle, but Colorado State's resilience is hard to ignore.

Look for the Thunderwolves to lock up this game early in the fourth quarter. Their defense will shut down the Mavericks the rest of the way.

Colorado State-Pueblo 23, Minnesota State-Mankato 17.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter at @kennydejohn.

The Tusculum College (Tennessee) Pioneers didn't have much problem beating the College of Faith Saints Thursday night, but not even the score tells the whole story of just how dominant the Pioneers were.

Tusculum (Division II) opened its season with a 71-0 victory, but the record-setting performance could have been much worse. This game was essentially over after the opening kickoff, which the Pioneers' Justin Houston took 65 yards for the score. That was just the start of things.

The score was 23-0 less than six minutes into the game and 55-0 at halftime. 

As dominant as the offense was, it was the team's defense that set NCAA records in the game.

Tusculum limited the College of Faith to minus-100 total yards, which obliterated the previous record of minus-69 yards set by Division II Fort Valley State against Miles in 1993. The Pioneers set that record while holding the Saints to minus-124 rushing yards, which bested the minus-112 rushing yards that Division III Coast Guard "allowed" against Wesleyan in 1989. The Pioneers defense recorded three safeties in the game, tying the Division II record set by Fort Valley in the same game against Miles.

Although Tusculum only came up with one turnover, its defense had no problem stopping the Saints. College of Faith failed to convert on any of its 13 third-down attempts and officially went 0-of-6 on fourth down.

It was just one game, but it was a night that none of the Pioneers—or the Saints—will ever forget.

[USA Today, Tusculum College Athletics]

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats became the college football Division II National Champions on Saturday with a 43-28 win over the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, giving them a perfect 15-0 season.

The Bearcats decided to be aggressive early, going for it on 4th-and-7 around the 30-yard line on their first drive.  Star quarterback Trevor Adams was able to find Reuben Thomas for the first down, with the wide receiver breaking several tackles on his way to a 29-yard touchdown to put the Bearcats up 7-0 early.

Things did not start off well for the Bears.  They were getting nothing with their triple-option offense, and after a field goal for Northwest Missouri State, they promptly fumbled the ball away.  Billy Creason ran the ball in for a four-yard touchdown just a few plays later, and suddenly the Bearcats were already up 17-0 with five minutes left in the first quarter.

Lenoir-Rhyne finally started to find some open lanes on the right side of the offense, breaking off a couple of nice runs on the next drive.  The ground game kept moving along, before Chris Robinson was finally able to get the Bears on the board on a three-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7.

But the defense for the Bearcats stepped up once again.  With just around six minutes left in the second quarter, Northwest Missouri State was able to force Lenoir-Rhyne to punt from its own one-yard line. The punt was then blocked, giving the Bearcats the safety, the ball and the momentum.  The Bearcats wrapped the half up with a field goal, going into the locker room up 22-7.

The Bearcats got the second half started quickly with a big 43-yard reception from Creason, but they were unable to score on the first drive after failing to convert on fourth down.  Lenoir-Rhyne started driving down the field, but the team fumbled once again on an attempted pitch, giving Northwest Missouri State the ball once again.

Adams was then able to find Thomas once again for a touchdown, this one coming on an impressive 30-yard strike down the middle of the field to put his team up 29-7 as the Bearcats continued to pull away.

Despite being injured and not able to start the game, quarterback Josh Justice came in for the Bears after Teverrius Jones limped off the field.  Shortly after, Justice was able to find Greyson Wells for a huge 59-yard touchdown to put his team back in the game once again.

But Justice wasn't able to inspire a magical comeback.  Brady Bolles was able to run the ball into the end zone during the fourth quarter after another bomb from Adams, putting the Bearacts up 36-14.  That didn't keep the Bears from trying some wild plays, however, as they ran the option pass with Corron Boston finding Wells for the 34-yard score.

The Bearcats wrapped things up with another touchdown from Adams to go up 43-21 with a 17-yard strike to Jason Jozaites in the back of the end zone.  Justice was able to grab a touchdown with just around a minute left, but the Bearcats got the win.

Adams had a great game for the Bearcats, going 15-of-25 with 272 passing yards and three touchdowns. Billy Creason was productive as well, putting up 125 total yards and a score on the ground.  For the Bears, Wells came up with just two catches, but they went for 93 yards and two scores.

Former D-II associate director Josh Looney congratulated the Bearcats and provided this picture.

This was the first national title for Northwest Missouri State since 2009, back when it had made five consecutive trips to the national championship game.  The Bearcats are hoping that they can repeat that kind of success now, as they proved to have a top-tier team this season.

For the Bears, this was their first appearance ever in the national championship, and while the players will be upset with the loss after coming so far, the fact that they made it this far says a lot about the development of their football program.

It was a fun game with plenty of big plays, and the Bearcats have once again become the top team in Division II football.

Lenoir-Rhyne (13-1) will take on Northwest Missouri State (14-0) for the Division II college football championship on Dec. 21 in Florence, Ala.

This is Lenoir-Rhyne University's first appearance in this game, and it is attempting become the first private school to win the title. The Bears are looking good to do just that. They steamrolled into this championship with a dominant win over West Chester in the semifinal, 42-14.

The Bears feature a strong rushing attack behind the triple-option offense.

Meanwhile, Northwest Missouri State advanced to the its eighth national championship game in program history.

The Bearcats earned this trip with a convincing 27-13 win over Grand Valley State in the semifinal. 

Unlike their opponent for this game, the Bearcats feature more of an aerial attack. To reach the championship game, Reuben Thomas caught seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Trevor Adams went 15-of-21 for 284 yards and two touchdowns.

These two schools will be meeting for the first time when they battle for the championship. 

Location: Braly Municipal Stadium, Florence, Ala.

Start Time: Dec. 21 at noon ET

TV Broadcast: ESPN2

Key Storyline: Will Justice be served? 

You'll have to excuse my terrible pun, but with Josh Justice lining up under center for the Bears, I couldn't resist.

Justice is a central figure in this game. In the semifinal win, he ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns. That fantastic performance is made even more impressive by the fact that it was just his second start. 

"I was pretty nervous week [sic] in my first start last week against North Alabama," Justice said, per the Charlotte Observer's Jim Utter, "but it’s just been some crazy and awesome stuff that has been happening in the last few weeks."

If Justice can keep making good decisions and grinding out yards on the ground, the Bears will be in great shape. 

Prediction: Lenoir-Rhyne 24, Northwest Missouri State 17

Lenoir-Rhyne will use its triple option to control the ball on offense. 

Meanwhile, the Bears have the defense to slow down Northwest Missouri State's aerial attack. In the semifinal, the Bears faced a West Chester team that was averaging 39.3 points and 479.2 offensive yards per game and shut it out in the second half.

The Winston-Salem State University Rams have won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference championship each of the last two seasons and advanced to the Division II National Championship game last year, where they fell to Valdosta State.

WSSU looked to repeat that feat this season after going 9-1 overall and 7-0 in conference play. Unfortunately, the Rams will not get the chance to defend their conference title.

The conference championship game was canceled Friday after WSSU starting QB Rudy Johnson was beaten up in a bathroom at a banquet the day before the game, with five players from the opposing Virginia State University Trojans being the assailants (h/t John Dell of the Winston-Salem Journal).

According to Dell, the attack occurred at the Albert H. Anderson Center on WSSU's campus. With the Rams hosting the championship game on Saturday, a banquet for both teams took place Friday afternoon on campus, during which Johnson was attacked in a restroom. Just two hours later, conference officials announced the cancellation of the game, with Johnson too injured to play due to the attack.

The Virginia State players who committed the attack have not been identified by name yet, but at least one has been taken into custody.

The cancellation of the game is actually much more detrimental to the Trojans than the Rams, as Virginia State sits right on the bubble to make the playoffs while WSSU is pretty much a lock to get in.  The Trojans were also looking for their first CIAA title since 1996, but that hope is also gone.

Whether Johnson will be back in time for the playoffs is still up in the air.