Division 2 NCAA Football Top Matchups Week 2: Mega Edition

Hello, Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my mega edition of Division 2 football matchups week 2 this week is absolutely loaded and that’s why I’m doing a mega edition of 8 matchups which still isn’t all the good matchups for Division 2 this week but I can only put in so many matchups each article.

Ferris State University at Lenoir-Rhyne University 

This is going to be a tough road game for Ferris State and a really intriguing nonconference test. Lenoir-Rhyne offensively has sophomore running back Dwayne McGee who had 2021 1,669 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. The Bulldog’s defense has junior defensive lineman Caleb Murphy who had 10 tackles and 3 TFLs in Ferris State’s first game. Xavier Wade is Ferris State’s top wide receiver who had 94 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in week 1 against Central Washington. The Bears defense has senior defensive back Malik Taylor who in Lenoir-Rhyne’s first game had 13 tackles and 1 interception.

Angelo State University at Colorado School of Mines 

Another very intriguing matchup in a jam-packed week 2 Division 2 football schedule. Colorado Mines’s offense includes redshirt senior wide receiver Josh Johnston who had 126 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in their close tough loss at Grand Valley State in week 1. Defensively for Angelo State, they have junior linebacker Daron Allman who held 50 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 4 PBUs in 2021. The Rams offense has grad wide receiver Noah Massey who had 75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in Angelo State’s week 1 win against Chadron State. Defensively for the Orediggers, they have redshirt senior defensive back Jaden Williams who had 7 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 1 interception against Grand Valley State in week 1.

Grand Valley State University at Colorado State University-Pueblo 

Both these 2 teams had huge wins in week 1. The Thunderwolves offense has redshirt sophomore wide receiver Andrew Cook who had 140 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in their week 1 win against Midwestern State. Defensively for Grand Valley, they have sophomore defensive back Ian Kennelly who had 6 tackles and 1 forced fumble in their week 1 win against Colorado Mines. The Lakers offense has sophomore wide receiver Jahdae Walker who had 132 receiving yards in week 1. Defensively for Colorado State-Pueblo, they have senior defensive lineman Trey Botts who had 5 tackles and 1 TFL in week 1.

Bowie State University at Saginaw Valley State University 

Even though Saginaw Valley is not ranked this has the potential to be a tough road game for Bowie State because Saginaw Valley always has good teams. Saginaw Valley’s offense has sophomore running back Dante Barthwell who had 82 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in their week 1 win. Defensively for Bowie State, they have redshirt senior defensive lineman Joshua Pryor who had 73 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, and 6 sacks in 2021. Offensively Bowie State has Keshane Hinckley who had 106 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in Bowie State’s week 1 win against New Haven. Defensively for Saginaw Valley, they have senior linebacker Trevor Nowaske who held 84 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks in 2021.

Pittsburg State University at University of Nebraska-Kearney (Thursday)

Got the Lopers up against the Gorillas in a Thursday night MIAA contest. The Lopers are led offensively by dual-threat redshirt senior quarterback TJ Davis who had 129 rushing yards in their week 1 win against Missouri Southern State. Defensively for the Gorillas, they have grad defensive back Brandon Mlekus who had 68 tackles and 5 PBUs in 2021. Pittsburg State’s offense has senior wide receiver Bryce Murphy who in week 1 had 112 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns against Central Missouri. Defensively for the Lopers, they have senior linebacker Jimmy Harrison who had 10 tackles and 1.5 TFLs in their week 1 game against Missouri Southern State.

University of Indianapolis at Tiffin University 

The reason why I decided to do 8 matchups this week is that matchups like this are still very important even though both teams aren’t ranked Tiffin and U of Indy seem on paper to be very intriguing. Tiffin’s offense has senior running back Darius Pinnix who had 668 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in 2021. Defensively for the Greyhounds, they have Kiave’ Guerrier who had 69 tackles and 12.5 TFLs in 2021. Toriano Clinton is the leader of the U Indy offense he had 151 rushing yards and 1 touchdown in their week 1 game against Saint Xavier. Defensively for Tiffin, they have senior linebacker Sir’Zion Dance who had 6 tackles and 1 sack in Tiffin’s first game against Walsh.

Slippery Rock University at West Chester University 

This sets up to be a tough road game for Slippery Rock. West Chester offensively has redshirt senior running back Phil Poquie who had 629 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 2021. The Slippery Rock defense they have senior linebacker Brandon Tuck-Hayden who had 10 tackles and 1 PBU in their opening game against Wayne State. Cohen Russell junior wide receiver had 82 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in Slippery Rock’s first game. 

University of Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota State University-Mankato 

Even though neither of these 2 teams is ranked they are both very close to becoming ranked and that should make this a game to watch. Minnesota State offensively has senior wide receiver Jalen Sample who had 92 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in the upset of Bemidji State in week 1. The Bulldog’s defense has redshirt senior linebacker Brad Dati who had 9 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack in Duluth’s win over Southwest Minnesota State in week 1. Offensively Minnesota Duluth has Grad wide receiver Armani Carmickle who had 104 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in the week 1 win. The Mavericks defense has senior defensive back Alijah McGhee who had 8 tackles 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception in Minnesota State’s upset win in week 1.