{"id":19637,"date":"2025-11-29T14:46:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T18:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/d3-football-playoffs-heat-up-with-mount-union-crushing-muhlenberg-42-0-today-but-wait-until-you-see-what-susquehanna-just-did\/"},"modified":"2025-11-29T14:46:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T18:46:17","slug":"14415-d3-football-playoffs-heat-up-today-with-16-second-round-games-mount-union-susque","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/14415-d3-football-playoffs-heat-up-today-with-16-second-round-games-mount-union-susque\/","title":{"rendered":"D3 football playoffs heat up with Mount Union crushing Muhlenberg 42-0 today, but wait until you see what Susquehanna just did"},"content":{"rendered":"

Division III football playoffs shift into second-round overdrive today with 16 games<\/b> happening simultaneously across the country. Mount Union<\/b>, Susquehanna<\/b>, Johns Hopkins<\/b>, and other powerhouse programs<\/b> battle today to punch their tickets to the quarterfinals on December 13. The intensity ramps up significantly as the field narrows from 32 to 16 teams.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • 32 teams competing<\/b> in the second round today, November 29, 2025<\/li>\n
  • Mount Union (No. 2 seed)<\/b> demolished Muhlenberg 42-0 this morning<\/li>\n
  • Susquehanna (No. 22 seed)<\/b> powered past Christopher Newport 28-7<\/li>\n
  • Johns Hopkins (No. 8 seed)<\/b> advances with 20-7 victory over Springfield<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    16 Games Today Reshape the Picture<\/h2>\n

    The second round features eight 12 p.m. ET kickoffs<\/b> and six 1 p.m. ET kickoffs<\/b> across campus stadiums nationwide. Games starting in the early afternoon slots include marquee matchups like John Carroll vs. Randolph-Macon<\/b>, Hope vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse<\/b>, and Franklin & Marshall vs. Eastern<\/b>. The staggered schedule<\/b> ensures every team plays simultaneously on the same Saturday.<\/p>\n

    The 32-team field comes from the original 40-team bracket<\/b> made up of 27 automatic qualifiers<\/b> (conference champions) and 13 at-large selections<\/b>. Eight teams received first-round byes, meaning today marks the entry point for the eight first-round survivors.<\/p>\n

    Mount Union’s Dominant Display Sets Tone<\/h2>\n

    Mount Union<\/b> sent an unmistakable message with their 42-0 shutout<\/b> victory over Muhlenberg in the second round. The No. 2-ranked Purple Raiders<\/b> faced Muhlenberg, who had upset Union (New York)<\/b> 34-26 in the first round. Mount Union powered through with complete defensive dominance<\/b>, holding Muhlenberg scoreless across all four quarters. The Purple Raiders hold a 116-22 all-time record in NCAA playoff games<\/b> (.841 winning percentage) and have reached the Stagg Bowl 23 times<\/b> since 1993, winning 13 NCAA championships<\/b> \u2014 an NCAA-record claim. Mount Union’s 10-0 regular season<\/b> and Ohio Athletic Conference championship<\/b> positioned them as a top threat for the national title.<\/p>\n

    Looking ahead, Mount Union faces a quarterfinal matchup<\/b> (if they advance) with a potential opponent from their bracket region. The powerful offensive unit<\/b> and stout defense<\/b> have them on a collision course with national contenders<\/b> like North Central (Illinois)<\/b> and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Team<\/td>\nSeed<\/td>\nRegular Season<\/td>\nStatus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Mount Union<\/b><\/td>\nNo. 2<\/td>\n10-0<\/td>\nAdvanced 42-0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Susquehanna<\/b><\/td>\nNo. 22<\/td>\n10-1<\/td>\nAdvanced 28-7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Johns Hopkins<\/b><\/td>\nNo. 8<\/td>\n11-0<\/td>\nAdvanced 20-7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    North Central (IL)<\/b><\/td>\nNo. 1<\/td>\n11-0<\/td>\nPlaying today<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    Cinderella Stories and Major Surprises Emerging<\/h2>\n

    Susquehanna’s 28-7 victory<\/b> over Christopher Newport showcased the River Hawks’ championship aspirations<\/b> as a No. 22 seed<\/b>. Johns Hopkins<\/b> demonstrated resilience with their 20-7 win<\/b> against Springfield, staying on course for a potential deep playoff run. Both teams capitalized on first-half scoring<\/b> and defensive pressure<\/b> in their matchups. Johns Hopkins came into this tournament after losing to Mount Union 45-37 in last year’s semifinals<\/b>, seeking redemption and a national championship appearance<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    The second-round format<\/b> emphasizes home field advantage<\/b>, as all games are played at the higher seed’s campus. This creates crowd energy advantages<\/b> and familiarity benefits<\/b> for teams who finished higher in the regular season standings or tournament seeding.<\/p>\n

    Quarterfinals Loom Large on December 13<\/h2>\n

    Winners of today’s 16 games will advance directly to quarterfinal competition on December 13<\/b>. The field of 16<\/b> represents the elite programs still standing after cutthroat playoff football. Following quarterfinals, the Final Four semifinals<\/b> happen on December 20, with the Stagg Bowl Championship on January 4, 2026<\/b>. This championship-winning format<\/b> spans over a month of intense competition. The ultimate champion<\/b> will be crowned at the Stagg Bowl<\/b>, college football’s longest-standing playoff tradition celebrating 60+ years of Division III excellence<\/b>. Can the defending champion North Central (Illinois)<\/b> repeat after their 41-25 victory last year<\/b> over Mount Union, or will Mount Union’s dominant squad<\/b> finally reclaim the crown?<\/p>\n

    \n“Mount Union has a 116-22 all-time record in NCAA playoff games, advancing to the Stagg Bowl 23 times since 1993 with an NCAA-record 13 championships.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 Mount Union Athletics<\/b>, Official Records<\/p>\n

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    Watch the Highlights<\/h3>\n