Delta State Tops Shepherd, 29-17, in NCAA DII Semi-Finals
@ DELTA STATE 29, #18 SHEPHERD 17 (NCAA SEMI-FINALS)
For the second week in a row, Delta State overcame a 7-0 deficit to advance in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs, topping Shepherd University at home, 29-17, en route to a berth in the National Title Game.
The first-time foes traded scores throughout the first half, but DSU held a 17-14 edge heading into intermission capped by a 33-yard field goal by Matt Snyder as time expired. SU lit the scoreboard on the game’s opening possession, capping a 15-play, 8:52 drive with a touchdown at the six-minute mark. The Statesmen answered on their first possession when Bill Franks ran in a 12-yard TD at 1:21, then took a 14-7 edge at 7:15 in the second frame via wide out LJ Castile’s 29-yard scoring grab. The Rams tied matters at 4:42, but Snyder gave the home team a three-point edge at the break.
The teams battled through soggy field conditions in the second half as the third quarter was delayed for 39 minutes due to lightning. The Statesmen upped their advantage to 23-14 behind a 64-yard touchdown grab by Carlton Ollie at 5:17 in the third frame, but Shepherd closed within six points via a field goal with 40 seconds on the clock.
Neither offense found traction in the final 15 minutes until Delta State iced the contest with just 2:46 remaining when Castile caught a six-yard score on a key third down possession.
DSU running back Trevar Deed led all players with 104 yards on 20 carries, while quarterback Micah Davis passed for 193 yards and three scores. Castile collected five passes for 64 yards and a pair of scores. Box score