Football

Twice as Nice: Assumption and Bentley Qualify for Division II Football Championship

Bentley Earned League's First-Ever AQ.

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. - For the first time since 2022, the Northeast 10 Conference will have multiple football programs competing in the NCAA Division II Championship - as Assumption and Bentley were both announced during the Selection Show on Sunday night. 

Bentley (7-3, 6-1 NE10) is the NE10's first-ever automatic qualifer, as it clinched the conference regular season title with a 20-17 win over Assumption on Nov. 8. After losing their first three games of the season, the Falcons rebounded - winning seven-straight contests on their way to securing the automatic bid and its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2019. Bentley will play top-seeded Kutztown on Saturday at 1 p.m. 

Assumption (8-2, 6-1 NE10) won eight of its last nine games this season, with its only two losses coming against Kutztown and Bentley. Most recently, Assumption defeated West Chester, 42-24, to help lead the program to its second NCAA Championship appearance in three years. The Greyhounds will play No. 4-seeded Indiana (Pa.) on Saturday at 1 p.m. 

The NCAA Division II Football Championship consists of 32 teams - 16 automatic qualifiers and eight at-large bids for super regions. 

Full schedule below:

First round: Saturday, Nov. 22
Second round: Saturday, Nov. 29 
Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 6
Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 13 | ESPN+
National championship: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 | ESPNU

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season.  The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.