Hello, Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my top 5 NCAA Division 2 matchups of week 5.
Valdosta State University at Delta State University
Potentially tough road game for Valdosta here. The Statesmen are led offensively by senior wide receiver Dohnte Meyers who has 388 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 2022. Valdosta State’s defense has redshirt freshman linebacker Akil Lampley who has 19 tackles and 2 PBUs this season. The Blazers offense has senior running back Jamar Thompkins who has 353 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022. Defensively for Delta State, they have sophomore defensive back Marlon Windham who has 25 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 1 interception this season.
Saginaw Valley State University at Grand Valley State University
Saginaw Valley has a tough schedule for the next 3 weeks starting with this one on the road. Grand Valley’s offense has junior running back Tariq Reid who has 339 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Cardinals, they have senior linebacker Trevor Nowaske who has had 30 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2 interceptions in 2022. Saginaw Valley State’s offense has senior running back Isaiah Malcome who has 299 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Lakers, they have redshirt sophomore defensive back Damonte McCurdy who has 16 tackles, 3 PBUs, and 1 interception in 2022.
University of Sioux Falls at Augustana University (SD)
We have the Key to the City matchup here. Jarod Epperson has 324 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in 2022 for Augustana. Defensively for the Cougars they have redshirt junior linebacker Cody Jantzen who has 13 tackles and 3 PBUs this season. The Sioux Falls offense has grad running back Thuro Reisdorfer who has 486 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 2022. Defensively for Augustana, they have sophomore defensive back Peyton Buckley who has 26 tackles, 4 PBUs, and 2 interceptions.
Benedict College at Fort Valley State University
This is should be a Battle in the SIAC. Fort Valley State is led offensively by redshirt junior running back Emanuel Wilson who has 542 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Tigers, they have junior defensive lineman Loobert Denelus who has 14 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 5 sacks in 2022. The Benedict College offense has redshirt freshman running back Noah Zaire Scotland who has 313 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Wildcats, they have senior defensive back Tyler Moore who has 26 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1 interception in 2022.
Slippery Rock University at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
This is going to be an interesting matchup and could end up being a tough road test for Slippery Rock. IUP’s offense has redshirt sophomore running back Dayjure Stewart who has 364 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022. Jalen Dangerfield redshirt sophomore defensive back has 18 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 1 interception this season for The Rock. Slippery Rock’s offense has junior wide receiver Kyle Sheets who has 291 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively for IUP, they have senior defensive back Naszhir Taylor who has 10 tackles and 4 PBUs this season.
