THEY`RE IN!
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Gorillas Receive Invitation to NCAA-II Playoff Field
PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University football team was selected to complete in the NCAA Division II playoffs Sunday (Nov. 6) when the 24-team national field was announced on ESPNews.
The Gorillas (8-3) received the No. 5 seed in the Southwest Region and will face No. 4 seed University of Nebraska-Kearney (9-2) next Saturday (Nov. 12) at Noon (CST) at UNKs Cope Stadium at Foster Field in Kearney, Neb.
Pitt State will make its 14th appearance in the NCAA-II national playoffs since joining Division II in 1989. The Gorillas, the 2004 NCAA-II National Runner-up, have posted a 17-13 all-time record in NCAA-II playoffs. Pitt State captured the 1991 NCAA-II National Championship and finished as the national runner-up three times (1992, 1995, 2004).
Nebraska-Kearney (9-2), champion of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, is making its second all-time trip to the NCAA-II playoffs. The Lopers dropped a 58-40 decision to Texas A&M University-Kingsville in their only other NCAA-II playoff appearance in 2002.
While the two schools havent met on the gridiron since 1988, the Gorillas and Lopers were once familiar foes in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference. UNK holds an 8-7 advantage in the series, but Pitt State has won the last five decisions between the schools.
Ticket information is pending Sunday afternoon and will be announced when made available.
The winner of the Pitt State - UNK match-up will advance to the regional semifinals to face No. 1 seed West Texas A&M University on Nov. 19 at Canyon, Texas. The Buffalos (10-1) claimed the Lone Star Conference South title with a 30-26 victory over Tarleton State University Saturday.
The other half of the Southwest Region bracket pits No. 3 seed Angelo State University (9-2) against No. 6 seed Northwest Missouri State University (7-3), with the Rams hosting the Bearcats Nov. 12 at San Angelo, Texas. The ASU - NWMSU winner will advance to face No. 2 seed Washburn University on Nov. 19 at Topeka, Kan.
Courtesy: PSU Sports Information
