St. John's, Bethel and Northwestern play in the first round of the D-III tournament while Bemidji State, Winona State and Minnesota State are on in Division II. Here's how to watch and follow the games.
DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND
Winona State at Bemidji State, 1 p.m.: Watch | Listen | Live stats
Preview: This will be the second meeting of the season in Bemidji between the two. Bemidji State won the first 34-24 on Sept. 17. ... Winona State (8-3) relied on a stout defense to earn its first appearance in the Division II playoffs since 2017. The Warriors were third in the NSIC in scoring defense (18.4 points per game), behind Bemidji State and Northern State, who tied for first (17.5 points per game). ... The Beavers (9-2), who are playing host to a playoff game for the first time in program history, have won nine consecutive games since starting the season with two losses — by a total of four points to MSU Mankato and Augustana. ... Beavers junior QB Brandon Alt, the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year, passed for 3,426 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Wayne State at Minnesota State Mankato, noon: Watch | Live stats
Preview: The NSIC South Division rivals are meeting in the playoffs for the first time. Wayne State (9-2), which has won four straight, is making its second appearance in the playoffs — its first since 2008. ... Sophomore Nick Bohn has passed for 2,117 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 716 yards and seven TDs for the Wildcats. ... The Mavericks (9-2) won their final five regular-season games to earn their first appearance in the playoffs since 2019, when they reached the DII championship game. ... Shen Butler-Lawson has rushed for 810 yards and 10 TDs and Hayden Ekern has passed for 13 TDs and rushed for seven TDs. ... The Mavericks lead the all-time series with the Wildcats 12-2 but the Wildcats have won the last two meetings, including 41-33 on Oct. 8 in Wayne, Neb.
DIVISION III PLAYOFFS
