2022 Trinity bracket
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Trinity (Texas) Tigers
| Seed: | No. 1, Trinity bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 6, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2457 |
| Stadium: | Trinity Multi-Sport Stadium (3500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | SAA |
| Head coach: | Jerheme Urban (Trinity, Texas '03) |
| Career record: | 60-24 (.714) |
| Base offense: | Pro style |
| Base defense: | 4-3 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 12-13 (1994, 1997-2005, 2007, 2011, 2021) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 373 | 106 |
| How they got here: | Pool A, SAA champ |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The defense opens the game with a first-quarter shutout. In eight of Trinity's 10 wins, the defense has opened the game with a shutout in the opening quarter, allowing the offense to establish a lead. Meanwhile, the offense is converting close to 50 percent of its third downs, aided by a strong day from the top passing attack in the SAA. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Tucker Horn has little time to wait for his receivers' routes to develop as the opposing defensive front tallies four sacks or more (average allowed 2.4 sacks/game). Trinity has a reliable rushing attack, but the passing game has accounted for 61 percent of its scores, and is vital to the Tigers' 37.3 points per game. If the defense gives up 100 yards on the ground, it's also a sign that it's been a challenging day for a unit that has been a stone wall for much of 2022. |
| This season's turning point: | It was a 20-point win, but one of the few times Trinity needed a comeback to do it, as Centre took a 14-0 first quarter lead on its home turf. The Tigers responded to the test well, putting 17 on the board in the second, but it seemed that falling behind and being shut out in the first quarter spurred Trinity to success over the final two games of the regular season, in which opponents were held scoreless in seven of those eight quarters. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .534 (55) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 142.2/280.2 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 46.2/159.1 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.5/3.7 |
| Leading passer: | Tucker Horn, 238.8 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Justin Carmouche, 45.2 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Ryan Merrifield, 67.5 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Caleb Harmel, 55 (24) |
| Leader in sacks: | Michael Jewett, 5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Trey King, 3 |
| How far can they go? | This is a tough bracket. Any number of wins, including zero, is a reasonable outcome. |
Linfield Wildcats
| Seed: | Likely No. 2 seed, Trinity bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 5, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | McMinnville, Ore. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 1363 |
| Stadium: | Maxwell Field (2250) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | NWC |
| Head coach: | Joe Smith (Linfield '93) |
| Career record: | 147-27 (.845) |
| Base offense: | Single-back spread |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 28-15 (2000, 2002-05, 2009-17, 2019, 2021) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | 2004 |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 428 | 94 |
| How they got here: | Pool A, NWC champ |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Limiting the run and pressuring the quarterback has spelled doom for opposition offenses, Linfield's punt return team is one of the finest in Division III, and Linfield has an embarrassment of offensive riches to pick and choose from. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Giving up big pass plays has bit the 'Cats occasionally during the season but have steadily improved in that department. |
| This season's turning point: | Sophomore Blake Eaton establishing himself as QB1 during the season opener at Huntingdon after accounting for six touchdowns in the victory. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .561 (26) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 167.9/292.7 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 47.7/172.0 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.5/3.7 |
| Leading passer: | Blake Eaton, 256.3 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Connor McNabb, 66.0 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Joel Valadez, 77.3 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Blake Rybar, 52 (37 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Travis Swanson, 8.5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Colby Kalaukoa and Ben Baxter, 2 |
| How far can they go? | The second-round game should be a nice test and we will see from there. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders
| Seed: | Likely No. 3, Trinity bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 3, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | Belton, Texas |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2930 |
| Stadium: | Crusader Stadium (8766) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | ASC |
| Head coach: | Larry Harmon (South Dakota State) |
| Career record: | 9-1 (.900) |
| Base offense: | Spread |
| Base defense: | 4-3 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 48-16 (2001-02, 2004-19, 2021) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | 2016*, 2018, 2021 |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 445 | 146 |
| How they got here: | Pool A, ASC champ |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The offense is staying balanced, keeping the opposing defense on its toes as the Cru utilizes an experienced group of running backs and receivers to keep the chains moving. On defense, look for the front seven to stop the run behind the line of scrimmage. Rushing defense has been a strong suit for the Cru, especially once the linebackers get involved in run support. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defense struggles to get off the field on third down and allows multiple completions on short passing routes. Opponents have found offensive success in the form of short passes anywhere from five to 10 yards upfield, between the safeties and linebackers. And watch for the offense in the red zone. The Crusaders have been challenged at points to come away with touchdowns and not field goals on trips to the red zone at several points during this season. |
| This season's turning point: | The Crusaders dropped a regular season game for the first time since 2015 at UW-Whitewater in Week 2, failing to convert in a goal-line situation late in the fourth quarter. Since then, the Cru has won its last eight, all but one of which were decided by a margin of 21 points or more. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .509 (101) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 208.6/261.2 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 88.3/194.3 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 7.2/4.3 |
| Leading passer: | Kyle King, 250.0 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Aphonso Thomas, 71.8 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | K.J. Miller, 70.2 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Durand Hill, 88 (49 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Sante Parker Jr., 8.5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Eleven with 1 |
| How far can they go? | At any moment, a switch could flip and the Cru could become the favorite to win the whole thing again. |
Wheaton (Ill.) Thunder
| Seed: | Likely No. 4, Trinity bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 15, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | Wheaton, Ill. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2325 |
| Stadium: | McCully FIeld (5000) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | CCIW |
| Head coach: | Jesse Scott (Wheaton '09) |
| Career record: | 18-4 (.818) |
| Base offense: | Spread/multiple |
| Base defense: | 4-3 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 17-12 (1995, 2002-04, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014-16, 2019, 2021) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 457 | 170 |
| How they got here: | Pool C |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They are picking up first downs (No. 1 nationally) and getting off the field on third down. The Thunder is No. 5 in the country in total offense behind QB Will Bowers (76% completions) and RB Giovanni Weeks (1,379 yards from scrimmage). Defensively Wheaton is No. 11 in the country in third down defense. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense is turning it over and settling for field goal attempts in the red zone, and the defense is giving up big plays. Wheaton was exceptional at taking care of the ball (five interceptions/five lost fumbles) and their defense is designed to avoid the big play. |
| This season's turning point: | The Sept. 10 game at Trinity. Wheaton came into the season with just six returning starters (one on defense, five on offense) and a quarterback who was new to the team, against the ninth-ranked Tigers who had 21 returning starters. Scheduling that game and then playing them into overtime in a one-point loss gave this team all the experience they needed to get back to the playoffs. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .550 (33) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 224.3/291.2 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 83.8/210.1 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 7.2/4.8 |
| Leading passer: | Will Bowers, 264.4 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Giovanni Weeks, 106.3 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Ben Bonga, 70.7 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Jalen Shaffer, 74 (55 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Philip LoChirco, 7.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Sam Bell, 5 |
| How far can they go? | Wheaton has certainly played some quality programs this season, and should be well-prepared for a playoff game or two. |
Bethel Royals
| Seed: | Likely No. 5, Trinity (Texas) bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 13, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | Arden Hills, Minn. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2248 |
| Stadium: | Royal Stadium (3500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | MIAC |
| Head coach: | Steve Johnson (Bethel '79) |
| Career record: | 226-102-1 (.688) |
| Base offense: | Pro style |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 11-10 (2000-01, 2003, 2006-07, 2010, 2012-13, 2018, 2021) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 422 | 205 |
| How they got here: | Pool C |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The defense is keeping the ball in front of them and making big plays, and Jaran Roste is making big plays with his leg and also finding Joey Kidder and Micah Niewald deep downfield. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They can't move the ball on the ground or in the air and it doesn't matter how well the defense gets after the opposing quarterback. There is a stark difference between Bethel against Augsburg (240 yards on 38 carries) and St. John's (49 yards on 21 carries) and these were each games which Roste started and had to leave the game because of pain or injury. |
| This season's turning point: | Getting Roste back in time for the first St. John's game. It was a big lift for the Royals in front of a great crowd and he really asserted himself in the second half of the game and made the difference. But will he play in the postseason? |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .605 (5) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 152.1/265.3 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 82.4/243.9 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.2/5.1 |
| Leading passer: | Jaran Roste, 224.22 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Bryce Kunkle, 65.6 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Micah Niewald, 89.6 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Matthew Feldick, 85 (56 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Aidan Thomas, 4.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Jacob Holmen and Matthew Feldick, 2 |
| How far can they go? | Based on the draw, they won't go far without their No. 1 QB. |
Huntingdon Hawks
| Seed: | Likely No. 6, Trinity bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 20, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | Montgomery, Ala. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 830 |
| Stadium: | Charles Lee Field at Samford Stadium (2500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | USAC |
| Head coach: | Mike Turk (Troy State '89) |
| Career record: | 130-58 (.691) |
| Base offense: | Pro style |
| Base defense: | 3-4 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 2-5 (2009, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 406 | 202 |
| How they got here: | Pool A, USAC champ |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Kahari McReynolds has plenty of room to run behind the strong offensive line, matching his average of 5.9 yards per carry. And while the defense keys in on McReynolds, look for one of the Hawks' three receivers with 20-plus receptions to come up with a big passing gain. Defensively, keep an eye on the Huntingdon secondary making it a long day for the opposing quarterback. The Hawks have 17 interceptions, and many of those start with the defensive line applying pressure. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Landon Cotney has little time to sit in the pocket and is instead forced to scramble and throw on the run. Linfield was the only team that really got into the backfield consistently against the Hawks, and shut them out in the fourth quarter of that one. Defensively, they?ve struggled at times to limit the opposing passing attack, at 217 yards per game, and it could be a sign of trouble if the opposing offense is picking up more first downs through the air than on the ground. |
| This season's turning point: | Methodist nearly ruined Huntingdon's playoff pursuit on Oct. 22, but the Hawks pulled out a 38-35 road win despite allowing 473 yards of total offense. Since that point, they've given up just 21 points over three games, eclipsing 350 yards of total offense in each of those wins. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .511 (99) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 209.0/264.9 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 103.2/216.2 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.6/5.2 |
| Leading passer: | Landon Cotney, 247.1 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Kahari McReynolds, 114.9 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Conner Bradford, 67.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Tucker Spence, 72 (33 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Casey Peppers, 5.5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Tyrell Davis, 5 |
| How far can they go? | In another bracket, they could hawk things up, but this is not really favorable for them. |
Hardin-Simmons Cowboys
| Seed: | Likely No. 7, Mary Hardin-Baylor bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 9, Week 11 2022 |
| Location: | Abilene, Texas |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 1614 |
| Stadium: | Shelton Stadium (4000) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | ASC |
| Head coach: | Jesse Burleson (Hardin-Simmons) |
| Career record: | 88-30 (.746) |
| Base offense: | Spread |
| Base defense: | 4-3 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 4-10 (1999-2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2015-18) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 454 | 157 |
| How they got here: | Pool C |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Gaylon Glynn and Kevi Evans are on the same page. The quarterback-receiver duo has been strong all season, combining for 45 completions, 873 yards, and eight scores. Meanwhile, look for the rushing attack staying fresh, moving the ball upfield in the form of short, consistent gains. Defensively, if the Cowboys are forcing field goals, rather than touchdowns, it's a good day. Opposing offenses have reached the red zone exactly 20 times this season, and only eight of those drives ended in touchdowns. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defensive line is unable to win the battle in the trenches and the opposing offense is rarely facing a third down. Both have been strong suits for much of the season, but in the loss to UMHB, and narrow win over Howard Payne, those factors played into their opponent's success. Offensively, you'll know it if the rushing attack, the best in the ASC, is getting bottled up in the backfield, unable to open up pass-play opportunities on the outside. |
| This season's turning point: | Halftime against Howard Payne on Oct. 29. With already one loss in the ASC play, HPU appeared well on its way to handing HSU a second, taking a 19-7 lead at the half. But a switch flipped for the Cowboys, who scored 21 unanswered in the second half, and followed that with largely one-sided wins over Austin and Texas Lutheran in the final two weeks of the regular season. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .478 (157) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 232.6/224.5 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 103.2/166.8 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 7.0/4.1 |
| Leading passer: | Gaylon Glynn, 211.0 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Myles Featherston, 56.1 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Kevi Evans, 87.3 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Terrell Franklin, 75 (37) |
| Leader in sacks: | Matt Mitchell and Braden Hargrove, 3 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Brock Bujnoch, Terrell Franklin, Jamel LaFond, 3 |
| How far can they go? | This is a bracket in which they are not set up for a ton of success, but HSU definitely has a chance to advance past the first round. |
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens
| Seed: | Likely No. 8, Trinity bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | Never ranked |
| Location: | Claremont, Calif. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2515 |
| Stadium: | Merritt Field (2500) |
| Playing surface: | Grass |
| Conference: | SCIAC |
| Head coach: | John Walsh (Amherst '97) |
| Career record: | 33-22 (.600) |
| Base offense: | Spread |
| Base defense: | 3-4 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | First trip |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 354 | 165 |
| How they got here: | Pool A, SCIAC champ |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Skylar Noble's combination of pass and run game keeps opposing defenses guessing, and guessing wrong, and he's able to use that to get key carries for the rest of the backfield as well as the occasional end around. Defensively they find their way into the opposing backfield, where Graham Olson has 12 tackles for loss and George Cutting and Nicholas DelBiaggio have 8.5 apiece. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defense needs to come up with takeaways, especially interceptions, which they have only eight of all season, and Noble is not able to break loose for any long runs. There's a difference between not needed to (Nov. 12 vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Sept. 24 vs. Whittier) and not able to (Sept. 10 vs. Redlands, a 1-point win and Oct. 29 at Redlands, an overtime loss). |
| This season's turning point: | A span of 28 consecutive points, including a punt block return for a touchdown, which took a 7-0 deficit against archrival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps to a 28-7 lead with 5:37 left. Winning the Sixth Street Rivalry game in fairly dominating fashion is a nice momentum turner as the Sagehens enter the unknown of their first-ever playoff trip and first game against Linfield. |
| Strength of schedule (rank): | .438 (213) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 164.0/280.8 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 60.9/178.1 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.1/4.0 |
| Leading passer: | Skylar Noble, 230.3 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Skylar Noble, 77.3 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Quinten Wimmer, 68.7 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Thomas McConnell, 66 (29 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Graham Olson, 9 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Garrett Pittman and Alexander Wood, 2 |
| How far can they go? | As far as Noble can carry/throw them. |