thSemifinals recaps

North Alabama 23
Shepherd 13rd and long situations, doing just enough to help out his defense. The Rams finished the season 13-1 and won their second straight Super Region One championship in the playoffs, while the Lions won their 11th straight game after dropping the season opener to FCS playoff team Jacksonville State.

Ferris State 20
Northwest Missouri State 35

The Bulldogs converted a 3rdndrdrdth semifinal game in school history. Ferris State finished with 284 yards of offense, with 108 coming on the ground, and just 11 first downs. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs averaged 493ypg and 263 yards rushing per game, and ended the season with a 12-3 record and their second trip to the semifinals in school history. The Bearcats finished with 415 yards of offense with 147 coming via the rushing attack, winning their 29th straight game and improving to 14-0 on the year.

2016 National Championship Game Preview

#3 North Alabama (11-1) vs. #1 Northwest Missouri State (14-0) 3PM


These two teams will meet for the third time in history, with all of the games coming in the playoffs. The Bearcats won both previous matchups, defeating the Lions 25-24 at Braly Stadium in the 2005 semifinals, and 41-7 at a cold and windy Bearcat Stadium in the 2008 semifinals. The Bearcats and Lions are #1 and #2, respectively, in scoring defense in the nation, and with the forecast calling for some inclement weather, points will be at an absolute premium even more than they usually are in a championship game.

NWMSU Offense vs UNA Defense

The Bearcats averaged 480 yards per game this year (15thth in D2) and just 13.3 points a game. Northwest is 12th in the country in 3rd down conversions, while the Lions are 44th in 3rd down defense. The Lions defense allows just 4.37 yards per play, which was the same as Harding. Still, one advantage the Bearcats have is red zone scoring; they are #1 in D2 in that category, and UNA ranks 109th in D2 in Red Zone defense, allowing scores 80% of the time. The issue for the Bearcats will be putting sevens on the board instead of threes, as UNA has only allowed 11 TD out of 31 Red zone trips on the season.

NWMSU run vs. UNA run defense

The Bearcats average 186 yards per game running the ball (44thth in D2) and had some troubles stopping the run against a team that was more of a passing team this season.

Advantage: NWMSUthth in team passing efficiency, it will be interesting to see which unit perseveres, and the Bearcats will likely continue to try and spread the ball around. The Bearcats have only allowed 12 sacks on the year, while the Lions have gotten to the QB 22 times (100th in the country). The Lions allow an average of 181 yards per game through the air (22nd in D2) but only 5.08 yards per attempt (2ndAdvantage: UNA


UNA Offense vs. NWMSU Defensend in D2) and scores 38.8 points per game (18th). North Alabama ranks 48th on 3rd down offense, and they will need to get good yardage on first and second down, as the Bearcats have the nations 8th ranked 3rd down defense, allowing conversions just 27.6% of the time.

UNA run vs. NWMSU run defense

The Lions average about 197 yards per game (34th) and 4.42 yards per rush (57thAdvantage: NWMSU

UNA pass vs. NWMSU pass defense

North Alabama averages 240.5 yards per game through the air (69th) but a very respectable 8.67 yards per attempt (16th). Tucker is 26th in D2 in passing efficiency, completing 61% of his passes with 21 TDs against 10 INTs. One big problem for the Lions is that they have given up 32 sacks on the year (128thrdth in passing yards allowed (173ypg) and are tenth in pass efficiency defense, and they have returned five interceptions for touchdowns this year.

Advantage: NWMSU


Special TeamsndAdvantage: Push


CoachingAdvantage: Slightly NWMSU


IntangiblesAdvantage: NWMSU


Overall OutlookNorth Alabama 10
Northwest Missouri State 17

(Last week: 1-0)
(Postseason: (6-1)
(Season: 55-18)

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