Three MIAA teams concluded their seasons this past Saturday, but for the tenth time in the last twelve seasons, an MIAA team is one of the final four teams remaining in the playoffs. Northwest Missouri State will host West Georgia on Saturday, and the winner will face the winner between Grand Valley State and Shepherd. In bowl action, the MIAA teams split the games, giving the conference a 4-1 record in non-conference games so far.

Mineral Water Bowl
Fort Hays State 22
Minnesota-Duluth 30

The Tigers offensive attack struggled for most of the game, but two one-play scoring drives in the first half gave them a 14-7 lead roughly halfway through the second quarter. The Tigers gained 159 yards in the first half, but 104 yards came on the two plays. The Bulldogs were even better in the second half as they were able to prevent the big plays and held the Tigers to just 22 yards of offense in the second half. Ft. Hays had a glimmer of hope in the 4th quarter when Daniel Lindsey ran the kickoff back after a Bulldog touchdown with under five minutes to go, and the subsequent 2 point conversion made it 30-22. The Tiger defense forced a punt to get the ball back with a couple minutes remaining, but three straight incompletions and a sack on 4thLive United Texarkana Bowl
Central Oklahoma 38
Southwestern Oklahoma State 21

The Bronchos offense had to work a little harder than it had the previous few games, but the defense came up big in the second half, forcing three turnovers to help the team beat its long time in-state rival in the 89th meeting between the two schools. After a back and forth first half that ended with a 28-21 Bronchos lead, the defense did not let the Bulldogs score the rest of the way. TJ Eckert endured being sacked six times and passed for 293 yards with two touchdowns and Clay McKenzie ran for 89 yards with two touchdowns to help the Bronchos finish with five consecutive wins and a 7-5 record after starting 0-4.

Super Regional 3 Final
Emporia State 17
Northwest Missouri State 38National Semifinal Preview

#1 West Georgia (12-1) at #1 Northwest Missouri St. (13-0) 2:30PM

For the fourth time since the playoffs expanded in 2004, the MIAA and GSC will face off for the right to play in the National Championship game. The MIAA won all three previous meetings, with Northwest Missouri State beating North Alabama in 2005 and 2008, and Pittsburg State beating Delta State in 2011. This year, the Bearcats face a team that made it to the national semifinals last year, as the Wolves lost at eventual national champion Colorado State-Pueblo 10-7.

West Georgia is a run-based offense, ranking 22ndthth in D2) and 84 tackles for loss (85th), so there is a chance that the Bearcats could be able to add to the 48 sacks (t-1st) and 127 TFLs (t-2ndth in D2).

With the fourth best turnover margin and the very best 3rd down defense in the D2 world, the Bearcat defense should be able to help out the offense. They may need it too, as, the Wolves defense has had a very good year, too. They are ranked right behind the Bearcats at #2 in total defense and allow only 139 yards per game through the air (3rdthst