NCAA D2 Football Play-Off Bracket

Indianapolis, Ind.----The NCAA announced the Division II football play-off field Sunday evening, and for the fourth time in the last five years the Wingate University Bulldogs have earned a bid. Wingate will travel to Virginia Union for the opening-round contest Saturday, Nov. 19. The Bulldogs are 9-2 overall, going 7-2 in SAC play.

Benedict is the top seed in the region, followed by Delta State, West Florida and Virginia Union. Benedict gets an opening round bye, with Delta State, West Florida and Virginia Union hosting games. Fayetteville State and Limestone round out the region. Delta State hosts Fayetteville State while West Florida will host Limestone.

Wingate continues its best stretch in program history, earning a fourth bid in five seasons. Wingate earned three straight bids from 2017 through 2019. The 'Dogs had just one bid all-time prior to the 2017 season, coming in 2010. Wingate has piled up 56 victories over the last six fall seasons, winning at least eight games every year. The 'Dogs are 56-16 overall and 37-10 in league play, leading the SAC in overall wins and conference victories.

The Bulldogs won nine games in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018 to earn play-off bids, while winning a program-record 10 games in the 2019 season for a third straight bid. After an eight-win season in 2021, Wingate has collected nine victories this year.

Wingate's first-ever playoff appearance was in 2010, when the 'Dogs won their first-ever SAC title and finished the season 9-3 overall with a 6-1 league mark. Wingate hosted an opening-round game that season, taking down Morehouse 63-41 before dropping a two-point game at #5 Albany State in the second round. The Bulldogs returned to the playoffs in 2017 after capturing the second SAC title in program history. Wingate earned hosting duties for the second time, welcoming West Florida to Irwin Belk Stadium in the opening round. The Argonauts not only upset the 'Dogs in the opening round, but made a run all the way to the national championship game. Wingate returned to the play-offs in 2018, knocking off #10 West Georgia in the opener on the road. The Bulldogs earned another bid in 2019, hosting West Florida, who knocked off Wingate in the opener en route to the 2019 national championship.

The 'Dogs have gotten it done with one of the top defenses in the nation. Wingate leads the country in tackles for loss and third down defense, ranking second in total defense and sacks and fifth in scoring defense. The Bulldogs are fifth in the nation in rush defense and sixth in pass defense. The 'Dogs have held seven of 11 opponents to 10 points or less this season.

Davon Gilmore leads the 'Dogs with 79 tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss, seven pass break-ups and 3.5 sacks. Jaquan Edwards also has 79 tackles, including eight TFLs. Marquise Fleming has piled up 19.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 14 QB hurries. DJ Horne has 15.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. Sirod Cook has added 11 TFLs and six sacks on the year, adding 11 QB hurries, while Justin Rhodes has 10.5 TFLs and four sacks. Tre Morrison has 16 pass break-ups and four interceptions, while Dequan Mosley has added four break-ups and three picks. Jordan Thomas has 10 break-ups on the season, adding 30 tackles and an interception.

Shaw Crocker has thrown for 2,009 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, adding 271 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The graduate student has 88 career TD passes, ranking second in program history. Alexander Wilson leads the balanced rushing attack with 543 yards and four touchdowns, going for 4.6 yards per carry. Kalen Clark has 483 yards and a TD on the season.

The receiving group is led by Myles Dillon with 31 catches for 381 yards and five TDs. Ra'Quan Simmons has 22 receptions for 338 yards and two scores. Kamal Desor also has 22 grabs for 296 yards and three touchdowns. Trevor Grant has 284 yards and four touchdown receptions.

Ethan Evans is the nation's top punter, averaging 47 yards per punt with 28 punts over 50 yards and 30 inside the 20, helping the 'Dogs rank third in the nation in net punting. He has also made nine of 15 field goals, all 35 PATs and has 37 touchbacks on 54 kickoffs. Simmons has piled up 270 punt return yards on the year, averaging 15.9 yards per return. Kyron Thomas has registered 246 kick return yards, averaging 20.5 yards per return.

The winner of Saturday's Wingate-Virginia Union game will travel to face top-seed Benedict on Nov. 26. The Super Region 2 title game is Dec. 3, with the national semifinals Dec. 10. The national title game will take place Dec. 17 in McKinney, Texas.

For complete schedules, game times, ticket information and how to follow, go to wingatebulldogs.com throughout the week and follow @WU_Bulldogs on Twitter.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. 

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.