TODAY’S STATE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAMES
NCAA DIVISION II
No. 11 Abilene Christian (8-2) at No. 15 Washburn (9-2), 1 p.m. — With a win today in their first playoff appearance since 2005, the Ichabods can clinch the first 10-win season in school history and set up a rematch with MIAA champion Pittsburg State next Saturday. Washburn senior quarterback Dane Simoneau has thrown for 10,651 yards in his career and needs 41 more yards to pass Missouri Western’s Drew Newhart for second place in MIAA history. Abilene Christian junior quarterback Mitchell Gale is a Harlon Hill regional finalist and averages 332 passing yards per game.
NAIA
No. 10 Ottawa (9-2) at No. 8 Azusa Pacific (8-2), 7 p.m. — Ottawa is on an eight-game winning streak and clinched the KCAC’s lone NAIA playoff spot with a regular-season title. The Braves have their hands full in trying to stop one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NAIA in Azusa Pacific’s John van den Raadt, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior who has rushed for 1,087 yards and 15 touchdowns and thrown for 1,586 yards and 18 touchdowns. Ottawa senior wide receiver/kick returner Clarence Anderson, a Wichita native, was named the KCAC player of the year after becoming the first Brave to post three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.