BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Ferris State and Valdosta State come into the NCAA Division II championship game with numbers that are a Powerball Jackpot for offensive lovers.
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BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Ferris State and Valdosta State come into the NCAA Division II championship game with numbers that are a Powerball Jackpot for offensive lovers.
These offenses are money.
Check out below to see some scoreboard-spinning stats that suggest the 4 p.m. game Saturday between the two will be a scoring bonanza.
The most points in an NCAA DII championship game, by the way, is 110 in a four-overtime finale won by Northwest Missouri State over Carson-Newman, 58-42, in 1999. In regulation, Delta State beat Bloomsburg, 63-34, for a combined 97 points in 2000. Remember those numbers.
— 91 BETWEEN THEM
The two are scoring machines. Valdosta State leads the nation at 52.2 points per game and Ferris State is 15th at 38.8 points per game, good for 15th nationally.
— ALSO A 1,000 PER
Both are in the top eight nationally in total offense – Valdosta State is fourth at 526 yards per game and Ferris State is eighth with 494.3 yards per game.
— HOLDING GROUND
Ferris State leads the nation in first downs from its offense with 369; Valdosta State is fifth with 314.
— SCORING SPREE
Valdosta State has outscored opponents 679-269 this season and had a string of 12 games scoring 44 or more points before it was snapped last week in its 30-24 win over Notre Dame (Ohio) in the semifinals.
Ferris State has outscored foes 582-279.
— TOP QUARTERBACKS MEET
Given the stats, it’s no surprise two top quarterbacks meet for this game in Ferris State junior Jayru Campbell and Valdosta State sophomore Rogan Wells. Both were among nine finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
Campbell leads the nation in rushing yards for a quarterback (1,338), is fifth in passing efficiency (168.0), eight in rushing touchdowns (20) and 12th in total offense (298). He has completed 177 of 292 with 26 touchdowns against five interceptions for 202 yards a game.
Wells has thrown for 33 touchdowns against four interceptions and averages 209 yards a game pass on 190 of 333 (57 percent). He has also rushed for 693 yards and 11 touchdowns.
— DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING
So it may come down to whoever can slow the other’s offense will be the winner. Defensively, Ferris State allows 336 yards a game (229 passing) and allowed more than 30 points once (a 35-31 win over Grand Valley State on Oct. 13).
In four playoff games, the Bulldogs have allowed an average of just under 20 points a game.
Valdosta State’s defense allows 335 yards (211 passing) and allowed over 30 points twice, both midseason (including 42 to Mississippi College on Sept. 29).
In three playoff games, opponents have averaged just a tick over 20 points a game.
— PERFECTION AWAITS
Whoever wins will finish undefeated. Valdosta State is 13-0 and Ferris State 15-0 and looking to become first team in DII history to finish with 16 wins.
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Information from: The Grand Rapids Press:MLive.com, http://www.mlive.com
