Three Great Midwest teams competed in the NCAA Playoff Opener on November 22nd: Ashland Eagles, Findlay Oilers and Northwood Timberwolves.

Advancing to the next round of the playoffs are the Ashland Eagles as they defeated the No.7-ranked Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in a final score of 32-7.

Despite the Bulldogs opening the scoring with a three-yard touchdown by Kyle Walljasper, that would be their only scoring of the day.

The Eagles would then respond with a 23-yard field goal from Manaki Watanabe.

Building off Eagles Watanabe's scoring were Jent Joseph, Chris Maloney and Russell Twinning who also assisted in the Eagles clinching the victory and advancing to the next round.

Not advancing to the next round are the Northwood Timberwolves as they fell to the Ferris State Bulldogs in a final score of 65-14 and the Findlay Oilers as they fell to the Minnesota St. Mavericks in a final score of 37-14.

The next round of the playoffs will take place on November 29 with the time to be announced, the Eagles will take on the Ferris St. Bulldogs.  The last time these two teams faced off was September 14 of 2024.  The Eagles fell to the Bulldogs in a final score of 43-3.

More information on this matchup, and all conference matchups, can be found HERE.