The 2023 NCAA DII football championship tournament includes 28 teams organized by four Super Regions. The NCAA selection committee will seed seven teams from each of the Super Regions. Each No. 1 seed will earn a first-round bye. Access games from the first round, second round, and quarterfinals on NCAA.com, as well as Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Google TV through NCAA Championships Pass. For more information on how the DII football championship works, refer to the following tournament schedule and scores: 2023 NCAA DII football tournament schedule, scores
Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 9, campus sites (All times ET)
Championship: Saturday, Dec. 16, McKinney, TX
First round: Saturday, Nov. 18
Second round: Saturday, Nov. 25
Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 2
*Host institution
The Ferris State DII football team established itself as a powerhouse after clinching back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022. Since its inauguration in 1973, a myriad of teams have risen to the occasion. Here is a comprehensive list of every DII national champion, with scores included.
YEAR CHAMPION
2023 – ?
2022 – Ferris State, coached by Tony Annese, with a 41-14 win over Colorado School of Mines, held in McKinney, Texas
2021 – Ferris State, coached by Tony Annese, with a 58-17 win over Valdosta State at the championship in McKinney, Texas
2020 – Canceled due to Covid-19
2019 – Coach Pete Shinnick led West Florida to a 48-40 victory over Minnesota State, held in McKinney, Texas
2018 – Kerwin Bell coached Valdosta State to a 49-47 win over Ferris State, at the McKinney, Texas championship
2017 – Colby Carthel led Texas A&M-Commerce to a 37-27 win over West Florida, in Kansas City, Kan
2016 – Northwest Missouri State, under coach Adam Dorrel, clinched a 29-3 win over North Alabama in Kansas City
2015 – Northwest Missouri State, under coach Adam Dorrel, took a 34-7 victory over Shepherd in Kansas City
2014 – A 13-0 win by Colorado State-Pueblo, coached by John Wristen, was secured against Minnesota State-Mankato in Kansas City
2013 – Northwest Missouri State, coached by Adam Dorrel, clinched a 43-28 win over Lenoir-Rhyne in Florence, Ala
2012 – Valdosta State, under coach David Dean, topped Winston-Salem State with a score of 35-7 in Florence, Ala
2011 – Tim Beck’s Pittsburg State obtained a 35-21 win over Wayne State (Mich.) in Florence, Ala
2010 – Delta State under Steve Campbell achieved a 63-34 victory over Bloomsburg, held in Florence, Ala
2009 to 1973 – See chart above
*Mississippi College’s participation in the 1989 Division II championship vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.