Hello, Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my top 5 NCAA Division 3 Football matchups of week 2.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
This has the potential to be a tough road game for the defending champs. The Warhawks have senior wide receiver Tyler Holte who had 100 receiving yards and 1 touchdown against the Johnnies in week 1. Defensively for UMHB they have sophomore linebacker Johnny Smith-Rider who had 2.5 TFLs and 1 sack against Muhlenberg. The Crusaders offense has senior wide receiver Brandon Jordan who had 120 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in the week 1 win. Defensively for Whitewater they have sophomore defensive back Kyle Koelblinger who had 6 tackles and 1 interception against Saint John’s.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls at Saint John’s University(MN)
After Saint John’s huge win they have another ranked matchup in week 2 against River Falls and it sets up to hopefully be a hard fought game. The Johnnies offense has senior tight end Alex Larson who had 2 touchdowns against Whitewater in their big week 1 win. Defensively for the River Falls they have sophomore defensive lineman Carson Steen who had 4 tackles and 1 sack against Elmhurst in week 1. The Falcons offense has freshman wide receiver Ron Beauchamp who had 42 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in week 1. Defensively for Saint John’s they have senior defensive lineman Michael Wozniak who had 3.5 TFLs and 3 sacks against Whitewater.
Wheaton College (IL) at Trinity University(TX)
This should be a good battle between these 2 ranked teams. Trinity offensively has senior wide receiver Ryan Merrifield who had 113 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in Trinity’s first game. The Thunder offense has senior running back Giovanni Weeks who held 1,420 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021.For the Tigers defense they have senior defensive back Ezra Gore who had 9 tackles and 1 sack in week 1.
Carnegie Mellon University at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
This is another intriguing matchup. RPI’s offense has 5th year running back Dylan Burnett who had 85 rushing yards and 1 touchdown against Dickinson. Defensively for the Tartans they have junior defensive back Adrian Williams who had 11 tackles against Whitworth in week 1. Kris Hughes senior wide receiver had 190 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in Carnegie Mellon’s week 1 win. Defensively for RPI they have grad defensive lineman Amaechi Konkwo who had 6 tackles and 2 TFLs against Dickinson week 1.
University of Wisconsin-Stout at Wartburg College
I find this to be the under the radar matchup. Wartburg’s offense has junior wide receiver Drake George who had 66 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in week 1. Junior defensive back Cannon Griner held 86 tackles and 4 interceptions for the Blue Devils in 2021. The Stout offense has senior wide receiver Levy Hamer who had 962 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.For the defense of the Knights they have senior linebacker Owen Grover who had 13 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 1 interception in week 1.
