NCAA D2 Football Bracket

Indianapolis, Ind.----The 2024 SAC champion Wingate University Bulldogs have earned a bid to the NCAA Division II football play-offs. The NCAA announced the full D2 brackets Sunday evening live on NCAA.com. The Bulldogs are the number two seed in NCAA Super Region 2, hosting Virginia Union Saturday, Nov. 23 at Irwin Belk Stadium. Wingate is 9-1 overall, riding a seven-game winning streak.

Valdosta State is the number one seed in the region, earning a first-round bye. Wingate is the two seed, while third-seeded West Alabama will host Lenoir-Rhyne. Miles is the number four seed and will host Carson-Newman.

This is Wingate's sixth NCAA D2 play-off bid in program history, all coming since 2010. This will be the fifth appearance in the last seven years for the Bulldogs. Wingate's last appearance came in 2022, when the 'Dogs advanced to the NCAA National quarterfinals for the first time in program history. This will be the fourth home play-off game for the Bulldogs and first since 2019. The two seed is tied for the highest in program history. Wingate was also the number two seed in 2017.

The Bulldogs have now won at least eight games in each of the last eight fall seasons. Wingate is 73-21 over the last eight years, going 49-13 in league play. The 'Dogs lead every team in the SAC in overall wins and conference victories during that time. Wingate is 85-40 at Irwin Belk Stadium since 2001.

The Bulldogs enter postseason play as one of the hottest teams in the country, riding a seven-game winning streak. That winning streak includes three shutouts. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 222-50 over the last seven games, culminating with Saturday's 28-13 victory over #19 Carson-Newman in the SAC title game. The victory gave Wingate its third SAC championship in program history.

Wingate has ridden one of the nation's most dominant defenses to their nine-win season. The Bulldogs lead the nation in third down defense, ranking second nationally in total defense, red zone defense, third in pass defense, fifth in scoring defense and eighth in tackles for loss. Reigning SAC and Region Defensive Player of the Year Marquise Fleming leads the nation in tackles for loss. The 'Dogs have held six different opponents to their lowest point total of the season this year.

The Bulldogs took on Virginia Union in the opening round of the 2022 play-offs, with Wingate rolling to a 32-7 road victory. A win for the Bulldogs against Virginia Union this week would lead to another home game on Nov. 30. Wingate would host the winner of the West Alabama vs. Lenoir-Rhyne contest on the afternoon of Nov. 30 at Irwin Belk Stadium. The national quarterfinals will be Dec. 7, with the semifinals Dec. 14. The national title game is set for Saturday, Dec. 21 in McKinney, Texas.

For more information on full game details, ticket information and coverage, be sure to check wingatebulldogs.com throughout the week, and follow @WU_Bulldogs on Twitter/X along with @wingatebulldogs on Instagram.