Full Breakdown
NCAA Division III Football Playoffs: 2025 Overview
11/17/2025, 12:08:16 AM
Final Regular Season and Playoff Implications
As the NCAA Division III football regular season concludes, teams are preparing for the playoffs, with Selection Sunday set for November 16, 2025. This pivotal weekend is crucial for teams aiming to secure their positions in the playoff bracket. The Division III playoff structure is divided into six regions, each featuring a one-seed team based on their performance throughout the season. The current one-seeds are Eastern (8-1), Johns Hopkins (9-0), Berry (8-1), Mount Union (9-0), Wartburg (9-0), and UW-River Falls (8-1).
Bethel Royals' Championship Victory
The Bethel Royals have made headlines by clinching the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) title, finishing the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and securing the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA playoffs. This marks their first MIAC championship since 2013. The Royals' success is attributed to their strong performance throughout the season, culminating in an undefeated conference record of 9-0.
Upcoming Playoff Schedule
The NCAA Division III Football Playoffs will commence with the first round on November 22, followed by the second round on November 29, and the third round on December 6. The national quarterfinals are scheduled for December 13, with the semifinals to be streamed live on ESPN+ on December 20. The championship game will be broadcast live on ESPN on January 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM Central Time.
SCAC Championship Weekend
In addition to the MIAC, the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) is hosting its championship weekend on November 15, 2025, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. This event features three matches: the fifth place game between Austin College and Centenary (LA), the third place game between Hendrix and Lyon, and the championship game featuring Texas Lutheran against McMurry. All games will be streamed live on FloCollege.
Notable Performances and Records
Several individual performances have stood out this season. Bethel's junior wide receiver Albert Rundell leads all levels of college football with 1,354 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, Saint John's senior tight end Joey Gendreau has emerged as a top performer among NCAA tight ends, averaging 6.7 receptions per game. Additionally, Saint John's recent victory over St. Scholastica marked a significant milestone, as they became the sixth NCAA Division III program to achieve 700 all-time wins.
Conclusion
The 2025 NCAA Division III football playoffs are set to showcase the talents of various teams and players, with the stakes high as they compete for national recognition. The upcoming weeks will be critical as teams finalize their playoff positions and prepare for the challenges ahead.
