Area college football: Saturday's playoff games

Defending D-II champ UMD faces Grand Valley State, while St. Thomas plays host to Coe in the D-III playoffs.

By JOEL RIPPEL

Last update: November 27, 2009 - 1:01 AM

NCAA Division II

Grand Valley State (11-1) at Minnesota Duluth (11-1), noon

For the second consecutive year, these two teams meet in the quarterfinals. Last year in Allendale, Mich., Minnesota Duluth defeated Grand Valley State 19-13 in overtime. The Lakers, who are ranked No. 3 in the Division II poll, have won five consecutive games since their only loss of the season (27-24 at Hillsdale on Oct. 24). The Lakers defeated Hillsdale 44-27 last Saturday to avenge that loss. James Berezik has rushed for 1,153 yards while averaging 6 yards per carry, and Brad Iceik has passed for 2,561 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Lakers. UMD, which is ranked No. 4 in the Division II poll, defeated Nebraska-Kearney 42-7 last Saturday for its 10th consecutive victory. Isaac Odim has rushed for 1,741 yards and 29 TDs for the Bulldogs.

NCAA Division III

Coe (10-1) at St. Thomas (10-1), noon

Both Coe and St. Thomas have reached the second round of the Division III playoffs for just the second time in school history. Coe upset St. John's 34-27 in Collegeville, Minn., last Saturday, while St. Thomas, making its first playoff appearance since 1990, defeated Monmouth 43-21. Coe sophomore quarterback Brad Boyle, who passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in leading the Kohawks past the Johnnies, was the MVP of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while St. Thomas sophomore receiver Fritz Waldvogel was named the MIAC MVP. The teams have played only twice previously in football. St. Thomas won 21-12 in Cedar Rapids in 2004, and in the 2005 season opener, Coe defeated the Tommies 24-21 in St. Paul.

Recent Gophers stories

Macklin, Parsons each score 20 as Florida beat Mississippi State 69-62 in SEC play - November 27, 2009

Macklin, Parsons each score 20 as Florida beat Mississippi State 69-62 in SEC play - Vernon Macklin and Chandler Parsons each scored 20 points to lead Florida to a 69-62 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday. More