DIVISION II playoffs first round, Saturday

Colorado State-Pueblo (9-2) at MSU Mankato (11-0), noon: Colorado State-Pueblo won its final four games to earn a share of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship. The Thunderwolves, the No. 7 seed in Super Region 4, average 406.9 yards per game (271.7 passing and 216.6 rushing) and 37.6 points per game. The No. 2-seeded Mavericks, who have gone unbeaten in the regular-season four times in the past six years, are averaging 291.7 rushing yards per game. RB Nate Gunn led the NSIC in rushing (1,115 yards) despite playing in just eight games. Mavericks QB Ryan Schlichte has thrown 21 TDs and been intercepted just three times. The teams have met only one other time — in the 2014 Division II championship game in Kansas City, Kan. The Thunderwolves won 13-0.

Texas A&M-Commerce (9-1) at Winona State (10-1), 1 p.m.: Texas A&M-Commerce, the No. 5 seed, has won five consecutive games since a 47-42 loss to Midwestern State on Oct. 7. The Lions, who are in the Division II playoffs for the third consecutive season, are averaging 40.4 points per game and have been held under 33 points just once (an 8-7 victory over North Alabama in their season opener). The fourth-seeded Warriors are in the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. They have intercepted 24 passes this season — the most in Division II. It is the first meeting between the programs.

Sioux Falls (9-2) at Midwestern State (9-0), 1 p.m.: Sioux Falls, the No. 6 seed, is in the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Cougars' losses were by 18 points to Winona State and by four to Minnesota State Mankato. Midwestern State, of Wichita Falls, Texas, is making its third consecutive postseason appearance after winning the Lone Star Conference title. The Mustangs are averaging 47 points per game. It is the first meeting between the programs.

DIVISION III playoffs first round, Saturday

St. John's (9-1) at North Central, Ill. (9-1), noon: The Johnnies, who have reached at least the second round of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, have won six consecutive games since a 20-17 loss to St. Thomas on Sept. 23. North Central, of Naperville, Ill., has won four consecutive games since a 42-20 loss to Wheaton. The Cardinals reached the second round of the playoffs last season. The Johnnies, ranked No. 7 in the final AFCA Division III poll, and the Cardinals, ranked No. 14, are meeting for the first time.

Eureka (8-2) at St. Thomas (9-1), noon: Eureka won the UMAC title — its first conference title in since 1995 — to qualify for the Division III playoffs for the first time. The Red Devils have been led by LeAnthony Reasnover, who has rushed for 1,834 yards and 31 TDs. St. Thomas is making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance and eighth in the past nine seasons. The Tommies have the top-ranked overall defense (147.1 yards per game) and rushing defense (24.1 yards) in Division III. The teams are meeting for the first time.

Joel Rippel