Pitt State, Northwest Missouri, Benedictine bow out in Saturday playoff football games
The MIAA conference sent two football powerhouses to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
But the postseason came to an end on Saturday for each of them.
Previously unbeaten Pittsburg State, ranked No. 4 nationally, fell to No. 5 Ferris State 17-14 in Big Rapids, Michigan, while No. 8 Northwest Missouri State lost to top-ranked Grand Valley State 13-8 in Allendale, Michigan.
Ferris State, the defending national champion, will play cross-state rival Grand Valley in the quarterfinals.
Pitt State fell behind Ferris State 14-0 before mounting a comeback. Caleb Lewis’ 9-yard touchdown run for the Gorillas tied the score at 14 with 5 minutes, 14 seconds left in the third quarter.
The defenses held until Ferris State kicked a 20-yard field goal with 9:47 remaning in the game. The Gorillas then drove 56 yards and got to the Ferris State 14-yard line with under a minute left. After a loss of yards and a penalty, Pitt State lined up for a 44-yard field-goal try — but the kick was wide right with 3 seconds left.
Pitt State forced four turnovers and also blocked a field-goal attempt in the game. The Gorillas, who won the MIAA crown, finished 12-1 this season.
Northwest Missouri, meanwhile, found itself locked in a defensive battle of its own with Grand Valley State. Northwest Missouri was down 7-0 at the half, but the Bearcats were able to grab an 8-7 lead on two field goals and a safety in the second half.
Grand Valley put together a 72-yard drive and scored the winning TD with just under 2 minutes to play. Northwest Missouri State’s last drive ended after two sacks and an interception thrown by Bearcat quarterback Mike Hohensee.
Kashan Griffin had five receptions for 133 yards for the Bearcats, who finished the season 10-3.
Northwest Missouri linebacker Andrew Dumas had 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
NAIA: Benedictine knocked out
The Benedictine Ravens lost 24-13 to Indiana Wesleyan in an NAIA quarterfinal game at Marion, Ind.
Three first-half turnover were costly as Benedictine (11-2) trailed 21-6 by halftime. Jahvi Blomquist and Gavin Spangler had 12 tackles each, and Zach Gill 12, for the Ravens’ defense. Rayshon Mills had a 51-yard run for Benedictine and finished with 92 yards on seven carries.
Indiana Wesleyan advances to the NAIA semifinals.
