2024 NCAA Division III Football Playoffs Overview

The 2024 NCAA Division III football playoffs kick-off on Saturday, November 23, culminating in the prestigious Stagg Bowl on January 5, 2025. This year, the playoffs feature a 40-team single-elimination bracket, including 28 teams that earned automatic qualifications and 12 selected at large by the DIII Football Committee.

Last year's champion, the Cortland Red Dragons, who secured their first national title, will look to defend their glory amid a competitive field that includes notable teams such as Mount Union and North Central (Ill.).

Key Dates for the 2024 NCAA DIII Football Playoffs

Here's a look at the important dates for the playoffs:

• First Round: Saturday, November 23
• Second Round: Saturday, November 30
• Third Round: Saturday, December 7
• Quarterfinals: Saturday, December 14
• Semifinals: Saturday, December 21
• National Championship (Stagg Bowl): Sunday, January 5

Broadcast Information

Fans can catch all the action through various channels:

• TV Channels: ESPN
• Live Streams: ESPN+, Fubo TV. Limited time subscriptions are available for ESPN+ (12 months for 9) and Fubo TV (first month at $59.99).

2024 NCAA DIII Football Playoffs Bracket

The playoffs will feature 16 teams competing in the first round:

• Maryville (TN) vs. Berry
• Endicott vs. Alfred St.
• John Carroll vs. Mt. St. Joseph
• Wisconsin-La Crosse vs. Northwestern-St. Paul

First Round Results

Here are the outcomes from the first round of the tournament:

• Maryville (TN) 20, Berry 16
• Endicott 44, Alfred St. 0
• John Carroll 52, Mt. St. Joseph 7
• Wisconsin-La Crosse 59, Northwestern-St. Paul 14
• Bethel (MN) 31, Coe 26
• Mary Hardin-Baylor 29, Trinity (TX) 22
• Whitworth 21, Pomona-Pitzer 13
• King's (PA) 32, Ursinus 29

Features of the Tournament

The 2024 tournament is noteworthy not only for its competitive spirit but also due to several teams entering with perfect records. With 11 teams boasting undefeated statuses, fans can expect exciting matchups as the playoffs progress.

Top Teams to Watch

1. Mount Union – Coming off a dominant victory against John Carroll with a score of 42-7, Mount Union is a team to watch as they aim for another championship title.
2. North Central (Ill.) – Having a strong postseason presence, they are looking to reclaim the title they narrowly missed last season.

Championship History

Historically in DIII football, no team has repeated as champions since Wisconsin-Whitewater achieved back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014. Here are some recent champions:

• 2023: Cortland def. North Central (Ill.) 38-37
• 2022: North Central (Ill.) def. Mount Union 28-21
• 2021: Mary Hardin-Baylor def. North Central (Il.) 57-24

As the playoffs unfold, anticipate thrilling confrontations and remarkable displays from top teams in pursuit of the elusive Stagg Bowl triumph. For those looking to catch each moment, stay tuned to ESPN and ESPN+ for live coverage as the road to the championship continues.