Division II Football

Division II Championship 2012: Valdosta State vs. Winston-Salem Score and Recap

Dec 15, 2012

The Blazers put the heat on Winston-Salem early and often. They held a 21-0 lead at halftime and went on to beat the Rams 35-7 in the Division II Championship.

The Rams came into the game 13-0, averaging 42 points per game.

To shut down such an explosive attack was impressive. Although, the Rams lost this game for themselves.

Every time I watch the Division II championship—OK, this is only the third year—this is the way I wish the BCS would settle on a champion. The Blazers' win culminated a 24-team tournament, and because of this format, there is no doubt who the best Division II team is. 

This was Valdosta State's third Division II championship.

Here are the biggest moments and performances from the Division II Championship.

Starting With a Bang

Matt Pierce took the opening kickoff back 97 yards to set the tone and boost the Blazers' confidence. This put the Rams in an unfamiliar situation, trailing early.

Too Many Turnovers

The Rams turned the ball over two times in the first half, and that thwarted any opportunity for the team to get anything going in the first half.

The second half wasn't much better. 

Kameron Smith was picked off on the first drive of the second half. The pass was accurate, but it bounced off the hands and pads of Jahuann Butler and into the hands of Dominique Wheeler.

Perhaps the biggest turnover came in the third quarter when Smith carelessly handled the ball on a scramble inside the Blazers' five-yard line. He was stripped and the ball was recovered by the Blazers in the end zone.

The Rams had an opportunity to bring the game within a score, but that glimmer of hope went out the window. The Rams turned the ball over six times in all.

No Kicking Game

The Rams almost never go for field goals, as they don't have a player on the roster they trust to convert. That hurt them in this game. On a few drives, it would have been a big boost for the Rams to get points on the board.

Because they couldn't kick a field goal, the Blazers got two huge fourth-down stops in the first half.

Valdosta couldn't effectively punt the ball either. The Rams couldn't get the edge in field position because of this issue. They had to make long drives against the best defense they faced all year. 

Despite moving the ball all game, finishing drives was a major issue.

The Final Dagger

After the key fumble from Smith, the Blazers punctuated an 80-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Cayden Cochoran to Quin Roberson.

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Division II Championship 2012: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule and More

Dec 13, 2012

For those unable to curb their hunger for BCS bowls to cap off the 2012 FBS college football season, a lesser-known but extremely exciting matchup is on tap for the Division II national championship.

The undefeated Winston-Salem Rams will take on the Valdosta State Blazers at Braley Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala., on Saturday night in what should be an intriguing showdown.

Both teams were No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Division II bracket, and everything went according to plan after each had a first-round bye.

West Texas A&M proved no match for the unblemished Rams in the semifinals, falling by a decisive score of 41-18. But the Blazers aren't strangers to spoiling teams' storybook seasons, as they did in their own semifinal triumph over previously 13-0 Minnesota State-Mankato by a score of 35-19.

Here is a look at the information you need to know as kickoff approaches for what should be an epic clash.

When: Saturday, Dec. 15, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Where: Braley Municipal Stadium, Florence, Ala.

TV: ESPN2

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Betting Line (h/t Sport Bet): Winston-Salem (-1.5)

Road to the Championship

Winston Salem State

Round Opponent Result
2 Shippensburg 37-14
Quarterfinal Indiana (Pa.) 21-17
Semifinal West Texas A&M 41-18

Valdosta State

Round Opponent Result
2 West Alabama 49-21
Quarterfinal Carson-Newman 48-26
Semifinal Minn. St.-Mankato 35-19

Key Storyline: A Battle of Prolific Offenses

Both teams are more well known for their explosive offenses, which can put up points with the best of them.

Winston-Salem QB Kameron Smith is second in the nation in Division II with 9.42 yards per pass attempt and has thrown 42 touchdowns to just nine interceptions on the year (h/t WSSURams.com). The Rams' vertical passing game sets up the multifaceted ground attack, keyed by Smith's capability as a runner.

Not to be overlooked, RB Maurice Lewis has had a stellar year himself, rushing for 13 touchdowns and 969 yards on just 185 carries. Smith has scampered for over 503 yards, but 181 of those have been wiped out, primarily by sack yardage.

The Rams' 85 touchdowns as a team tops Division II (h/t NCAA.com).

For the Blazers, two 1,000-yard rushers headline: running backs Cedric O'Neal and Austin Scott. The dynamic duo has combined for 22 touchdowns, and quarterback Cayden Cochran has accounted for nine scores himself on the ground.

Cochran is similarly athletic and efficient to the Rams' Smith, throwing just eight interceptions, countered by 25 touchdowns.

With two dual-threat QBs squaring off backed by solid running games, the high-scoring potential should make for the most exciting aspect of this matchup, as Smith and Cochran are indicators of where the future of the game's most important position is headed.

X-Factors

Winston-Salem State

This is uncharted territory for the program, as the Rams are recent arrivals to the Division II scene (2010). It is clearly a different team this time around, but a significant amount of history hangs in the balance.

It will be interesting to see how the Rams handle their shot at an historic year in the elevated level of competition, while Valdosta State has had experience winning championships, in 2004 and 2007.

The hiring of Connell Maynor in 2009 has keyed the emergence of the Winston-Salem program within Division II—and resulted in the exceptional offense the team now sports.


Valdosta State

Valdosta State ranks tied for 17th in turnover margin, while the Rams are more of an opportunistic defense, forcing 43 on the season, the most in Division II.

Cochran has to be judicious with the football, since the sixth-ranked rush defense of the Rams is sure to game-plan to stuff the run and force the QB to put the ball in the air.

Don't underestimate the signal-caller's resolve, as he and his family have had to endure two destroyed houses in the past 18 months, according to a report by the AP. Cochran's father, Chris, discussed how his son has dealt with the situation and how Cayden was glad his family survived the destruction of both homes (h/t Salisbury Post):

I’m thinking [Cochran will] use it as motivation. That’s just the way he is. He thinks things happen for a reason and he’s just happy we weren’t there.

I bet he has a great game. That’s just what he does. He’s always been that kind of kid. He’s just a great leader and when other things are falling apart, people have always looked to him.

There's always the potential for parental bias, but Cochran's story and obvious mental fortitude are rather amazing.

Prediction: Winston-Salem State 42, Valdosta State 35

As Ed Hooper of The Valdosta Daily Times points out, the Rams played in a weaker Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, whose teams were a combined 38-44 in 2012.

Despite their perceived lack of stern regular-season contests, there is plenty of reason to believe that Maynor's bunch will get it done against the Gulf South Conference runners-up.

The ground attack of the Blazers will eat up clock, but the Rams have the stout run defense capable of forcing the Blazers to become one dimensional. That will help them win the turnover battle—and ultimately the game.

Smith and company will also prove to be too much for the Valdosta State defense, as Jahuann Butler and Jameze Massey both average over 20 yards per catch and have 26 combined touchdowns.

Their threat for the big play is much greater and will prove to be the difference for the Rams, who will become the fifth team to go undefeated en route to a Division II national championship.

Division II Football: Cal U Remains Unbeaten, Knocks off Edinboro 24-14

Sep 15, 2012

The California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans defeated the Edinboro Fighting Scots 24-14 in a Saturday night PSAC matchup. Cal U came into the game with a 2-0 record.

Those two victories came from two hard-fought games against nationally ranked Hillsdale (Mich.) and Kutztown. Edinboro was looking for their first win of the season after dropping last week’s game to Bloomsburg 30-14.

Starting off on the right foot, Cal U would take an early lead thanks to sophomore kicker Cody Nuzzo's 22-yard field goal. This would be the only score of the first quarter. Edinboro would finally answer with a one-yard touchdown run by John Washington.

Edinboro would hold the lead for the majority of the second quarter until Vulcan quarterback Peter Lalich connected with Mike Williams for a 32-yard touchdown pass to put the Vulcans up 10-7 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, Cal U would strike again. Peter Lalich would complete his second touchdown pass of the night to Nadir Brown. The Vulcans held a 17-7 lead over the Fighting Scots.

Living up to their name, the Fighting Scots would not give up. Edinboro would score quickly with quarterback Cody Harris connecting with Duane McKelivin for his only touchdown pass of the night. With 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Vulcans needed to close out this game. My favorite play of the game helped the Vulcans do just that.

Peter Lalich completed a standard slant route to R.J. Thomas for what seemingly would be a small gain. Thomas would withstand a big hit and break the attempted tackle before taking the ball for a 54-yard gain. The ball would be spotted at the 1-yard line, and Cal U would eventually score on a Lamont Smith rushing touchdown.

Now up 24-14 with nine minutes left in the game, Mike Conway's Vulcan defense would step up and shut down the Scots offense. Vulcan defensive linemen B.J. Stevens and Paul Everson would sack Edinboro Harris three times in a row.

The next Cal U drive was about running time off the clock. The Vulcans ran the clock down to two minutes before Edinboro would get the ball back. With so little time and with the Vulcans defense harassing the opponent's quarterback, Edinboro would fail to score again and the Vulcans would walk out with a 24-14 victory.

The victory would not come without some concerns. Throughout the game, Cal U committed penalty after penalty, amassing 14 for a total of 108 yards. If Cal U wants to remain undefeated, they will need to address the penalty situation.

First-year head coach Mike Kellar brings his 3-0 No. 6-ranked Vulcans back home to California, Penn. to host arch rival Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in the annual Coal Bowl. IUP has been playing tough football so far this season, posting a 3-0 record and outscoring their opponents 131-6 in the three games combined.

After shutting out their last two opponents, IUP will be a formidable challenge for the Vulcans.

All California/Edinboro game stats obtained at http://www.calvulcans.com/boxscore.aspx?path=football&id=1981.

Division II Football 2012: Top 25 Reshuffles with 3 Losses in Top 5

Sep 13, 2012

Previous No. 3 Northwest Missouri State, No. 4 Midwestern State (TX) and No. 5 Wayne State (MI) all lost over the weekend to give the Division II AFCA Coaches' Poll a different feel heading into Week 3.

No. 1 Pittsburg State (KS) retains the top spot while Minnesota-Duluth stays steady at No. 2. Colorado State-Pueblo moves up three spots to No. 3 and Grand Valley State (MI) jumps to No. 4 after scoring 83 points in its Week 2 conference and home opener.

Albany State (GA) and Hillsdale (MI) drop out of the Top 25 as Ashland (OH) and Colorado School of Mines make their initial Top 25 appearances of the 2012 season.

Week 3 features just one game pitting a pair of Top 25 teams against one another as No. 21 Kutztown (PA) visits No. 12 Bloomsburg (PA) on Saturday, September 15.

Rank School (1st votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. Week Two Next Game
1. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) (29) 2-0 749 1 D. Central Oklahoma, 34-19 Sept. 15 at Southwest Baptist (Mo.)
2. Minnesota-Duluth 2-0 716 2 D. Winona St. (Minn.), 38-16 Sept. 15 at Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)
3. Colorado St.-Pueblo 2-0 680 6 D. Northwestern Oklahoma St., 41-24 Sept. 15 at Western New Mexico
4. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 2-0 662 7 D. Notre Dame (Ohio), 83-46 Sept. 15 at Tiffin (Ohio)
5. Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) (1) 2-0 603 8 D. Concord (W.Va.), 30-22 Sept. 15 vs. Morehouse (Ga.)
6. California (Pa.) 2-0 601 10 D. No. 11 Kutztown (Pa.), 48-45 Sept. 15 at Edinboro (Pa.)
7. New Haven (Conn.) 2-0 548 12 D. St. Augustine’s (N.C.), 24-21 Sept. 15 at Pace (N.Y.)
8. Missouri Western St. 2-0 512 14 D. William Jewell (Mo.), 56-0 Sept. 15 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
9. Washburn (Kan.) 2-0 474 15 D. Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 45-20 Sept. 15 vs. Northeastern St. (Okla.)
10. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.) 2-0 435 18 D. Malone (Ohio), 37-14 Sept. 15 vs. Findlay (Ohio)
11. Humboldt St. (Calif.) 2-0 373 17 D. Azusa Pacific (Calif.), 42-17 Sept. 15 vs. Simon Fraser (B.C.)
12. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 2-0 368 19 D. Edinboro (Pa.), 30-14 Sept. 15 vs. No. 21 Kutztown (Pa.)
13. Northwest Missouri St. 1-1 362 3 Lost to Central Missouri, 31-21 Sept. 15 vs. Fort Hays St. (Kan.)
14. Texas A&M-Kingsville 2-0 320 24 D. No. 9 Abilene Christian (Texas), 16-13 Sept. 15 vs. West Texas A&M
15. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 2-0 270 21 D. Stillman (Ala.), 31-0 Sept. 22 vs. Arkansas Tech
16. Midwestern St. (Texas) 0-1 247 4 Lost to Tarleton St. (Texas), 20-17 Sept. 13 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce
17. Indiana (Pa.) 2-0 220 23 D. Cheyney (Pa.), 56-0 Sept. 15 vs. Lock Haven (Pa.)
18. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 1-1 212 20 D. Fort Valley St. (Ga.), 62-14 Sept. 15 vs. Angelo St. (Texas)
19. Wayne St. (Mich.) 0-1 181 5 Lost to Ashland (Ohio), 7-0 Sept. 15 vs. Lake Erie (Ohio)
20. Abilene Christian (Texas) 1-1 171 9 Lost to No. 24 Texas A&M-Kingsville, 16-13 Sept. 15 vs. Tarleton St. (Texas)
21. Kutztown (Pa.) 1-1 157 11 Lost to No. 10 California (Pa.), 48-45 Sept. 15 at No. 12 Bloomsburg (Pa.)
22. Ashland (Ohio) 2-0 155 NR D. No. 5 Wayne St. (Mich.), 7-0 Sept. 15 at Ferris St. (Mich.)
23. Colorado School of Mines 2-0 115 NR D. South Dakota Mines, 71-7 Sept. 15 vs. Black Hills St. (S.D.)
24. West Alabama 1-1 111 13 Lost to Samford (Ala.), 34-6 Sept. 15 vs. Mississippi College
25. Delta St. (Miss.) 1-1 96 22 D. Elizabeth City St. (N.C.), 26-7 Sept. 22 vs. North Alabama


Dropped Out: Albany St. (Ga.) (16), Hillsdale (Mich.) (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota St.-Mankato, 80; Central Missouri, 79; Hillsdale (Mich.), 75; Henderson St. (Ark.), 26; West Georgia, 26; West Texas A&M, 25; Tarleton St. (Texas), 24; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 19; Harding (Ark.), 13; Michigan Tech, 12; Shippensburg (Pa.), 9; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 6; East Central (Okla.), 4; Wayne St. (Neb.), 4; New Mexico Highlands, 3; Newberry (S.C.), 2; North Carolina-Pembroke, 2; Charleston (W.Va.), 1; Morehouse (Ga.), 1; Urbana (Ohio), 1.

Minnesota State Football Coach Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Aug 24, 2012

The head coach of the Minnesota State football team has been arrested on charges relating to child pornography, the Mankato Free Press reported.

Todd Hoffner, 46, was arrested late Tuesday morning and booked at the Blue Earth County Jail.

Hoffner was reportedly escorted off the field during practice on Friday, August 17, and placed on administrative leave. Minnesota State University, Mankato, has offered no comment on the issue, other than to say the university is not aware of any allegations involving Minnesota State students or other staff members.

Hoffner's current contract with Minnesota State was recently renewed for four seasons, and his yearly salary of $101,000 is supplemented by an additional benefits package worth about $31,000 annually.

The news release also stated that “the university's top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, program participants, and the community.”

On the heels of the child abuse scandal at Penn State, this type of allegation has been met with similar shock and anger in Mankato, a town of about 40,000.

As more information is released, the details become more and more shocking. Reportedly, videos of nude children found on the Minnesota State University-issued cell phone led to the initial investigation. The children in the video, allegedly shot by Hoffner, are of his three children, all under the age of 10. The video reportedly shows his children jumping around while nude, but Hoffner's attorney, Jim Fleming, argued at Hoffner's bond hearing that the videos were not of a pornographic nature and did not include any sexual activity or pretense.

Bail was set at $10,000 on the condition that Hoffner not be alone with his children, or $40,000 without conditions.

After the bond hearing, Fleming told reporters, “There is nothing in that video that is descriptive, graphic, abusive or exploitative.” He described the video as “private family moments that were videotaped.”

Head coaching duties have been turned over to offensive coordinator Aaron Keen.

Minnesota State is coming off of a 9-3 season, which saw the Mavericks capture a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title. The Mavericks defeated Northeastern State in the Mineral Water Bowl after not being selected for the playoffs.

Hoffner took over in 2008 and led Minnesota State to a 9-3 record and Division II playoff berth after a 5-6 finish in 2007.

The Mavericks also made the playoffs in 2009 and finished 10-2. Hoffner is 34-13 overall. Minnesota State is unranked to begin the season but received votes in the AFCA Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll. The NSIC preseason coaches' poll placed the Mavericks third in the conference, with one first-place vote, while being picked to win the South Division.

NCAA Division II College Football: 2012 Preseason Coaches Poll Released

Aug 14, 2012

The American Football Coaches Association released its annual preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll for Division II football.

Last season's national champion, Pittsburg State (Kansas) begins 2012 where it ended 2011—in the No. 1 spot. The Gorillas earned 21 out of 30 possible first-place votes, and finished with 720 points.

Minnesota-Duluth was the only other program to receive more than one first-place vote, receiving five to begin the season in the No. 2 spot.

The other first-place vote-getters were No. 3 Northwest Missouri State, No. 4 Midwestern State (Texas), No. 5 and 2011 runners-up Wayne State (Michigan), and No. 9 Winston-Salem State (North Carolina).

Both No. 7 Grand Valley State (Michigan) and No. 8 Valdosta State (Georgia) begin the season in the top 10 despite finishing 2011 unranked, ending the two longest Top 25 streaks in Division II.

Week 1 will feature three Top-25 vs. Top-25 games. No. 24 West Texas A&M travels to No. 6 Colorado State-Pueblo on August 30, No. 17 Hillsdale (Michigan) visits No. 11 California (Pennsylvania) on August 30, and No. 22 Albany State (Georgia) hosts No. 23 North Greenville (South Carolina) on September 1.

Rank School (1st votes) 2011 Rec. Pts. 2011 Rank* Season Opener Head Coach
1. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) (21) 13-1 720 1 Aug. 30 at Northeastern St. (Okla.) Tim Beck
2. Minnesota-Duluth (5) 11-3 661 6 Aug. 30 at Southwest Minnesota St. Bob Nielson
3. Northwest Missouri St. (1) 11-3 613 5 Aug. 30 vs. East Central (Okla.) Adam Dorrel
4. Midwestern St. (Texas) (1) 10-1 582 7 Sept. 8 at Tarleton St. (Texas) Bill Maskill
5. Wayne St. (Mich.) (1) 12-4 502 2 Sept. 8 at Ashland (Ohio) Paul Winters
6. Colorado St.-Pueblo 11-1 481 9 Aug. 30 vs. No. 24 West Texas A&M John Wristen
7. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 8-3 473 NR Sept. 1 at Western Oregon Matt Mitchell
8. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 6-4 415 NR Sept. 1 at Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.) David Dean
9. Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) (1) 13-1 386 3 Sept. 1 vs. North Carolina-Pembroke Connell Maynor
10. Abilene Christian (Texas) 8-3 367 16 Sept. 1 vs. McMurry (Texas) Ken Collums
11. California (Pa.) 10-3 347 15 Aug. 30 vs. No. 17 Hillsdale (Mich.) Mike Kellar
12. Kutztown (Pa.) 11-2 329 13 Aug. 30 vs. St. Anselm (N.H.) Raymond Monica
13. New Haven (Conn.) 11-2 322 8 Sept. 1 vs. Merrimack (Mass.) Peter Rossomando
14. Delta St. (Miss.) 11-3 290 4 Sept. 1 vs. Fort Valley St. (Ga.) Jamey Chadwell
15. West Alabama 8-4 274 23 Sept. 1 at Clark Atlanta (Ga.) Will Hall
16. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 9-3 266 17 Aug. 30 vs. Sioux Falls (S.D.) Scott Underwood
17. Hillsdale (Mich.) 8-3 228 NR Aug. 30 at No. 11 California (Pa.) Keith Otterbein
18. Missouri Western St. 9-3 218 18 Aug. 30 vs. Central Missouri Jerry Partridge
19. Shepherd (W.Va.) 9-2 199 22 Sept. 1 at Shippensburg (Pa.) Monte Cater
20. Washburn (Kan.) 10-3 187 11 Aug. 30 vs. Nebraska-Kearney Craig Schurig
21. Humboldt St. (Calif.) 9-1 183 20 Aug. 30 vs. Colorado Mesa Rob Smith
22. Albany St. (Ga.) 8-4 149 NR Sept. 1 vs. No. 23 North Greenville (S.C.) Mike White
23. North Greenville (S.C.) 11-3 139 12 Sept. 1 at No. 22 Albany St. (Ga.) Carroll McCray
24. West Texas A&M 8-3 132 25 Aug. 30 at No. 6 Colorado St.-Pueblo Don Carthel
25. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 9-2 129 21 Aug. 31 at Stonehill (Mass.) Danny Hale

*– Ranking in final AFCA Division II Poll of 2011


Others Receiving Votes: Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 128; North Alabama, 128; Nebraska-Kearney, 122; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 100; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 96; Central Missouri, 72; Indianapolis (Ind.), 70; Mars Hill (N.C.), 57; Indiana (Pa.), 49; North Carolina-Pembroke, 47; Elizabeth City St. (N.C.), 44; Minnesota St.-Mankato, 41; Colorado School of Mines, 40; East Central (Okla.), 33; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 32; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 18; Miles (Ala.), 15; Concord (W.Va.), 9; Tarleton St. (Texas), 9; West Georgia, 9; Morehouse (Ga.), 7; Ashland (Ohio), 6; Michigan Tech, 6; Southern Connecticut St., 6; Central Washington, 4; Henderson St. (Ark.), 3; Assumption (Mass.), 2; West Virginia Wesleyan, 2; Azusa Pacific, 1; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 1; Harding (Ark.), 1.

Division II College Football: Underrated and Under the Radar

Jan 31, 2012

They should have a TV channel dedicated to the lower divisions of football, like Division II. I've seen the national championships they actually air on TV, but never a regular season game.

I'm not going to lie. The games that I have seen are just as good, if not better than Division I football games. I've kept up with some of the games online, since I can't seem to watch them on TV.

Sometimes you'll see a team put up 70 points, and other times a team may be shut down completely.

There are always hard hits, crazy plays, and beautiful passes.

If you watch one of these games, you'll probably gain more respect for Division II and Division III football. The players may not be quite as talented as some Alabama Crimson Tide players, but they are going up against players that are equally as talented as they are.

This means that the skills balance out and that the games appear to be just like Division I. The same goes for Division III.

Then you have teams that move up a division and eventually become powerhouses, a prominent example being Boise State.

They went from a darn good Division II team to a Cinderella team at the next level up. The past few years Boise State has become a household name.

If you agree with what I just said, then we should join forces and start our own Division II football channel. I am completely kidding if you didn't already know that.

I can't see into the future, but I can guess, and my guess is that in the near future, you'll see a new Division I national powerhouse that came up from Division II, just like Boise State did. It may take close to a decade for this team to become powerful, but all they have to do is win games. This brings recruits, and a larger fan base, which means a better program overall.