PLAYOFF ROUNDUP

PLAYOFF ROUNDUP

Saturday’s Games

FCS SEMIFINAL

Eastern Washington 50, Maine 19

CHENEY, WASH.

Eric Barriere threw seven touchdown passes as Eastern Washington beat Maine, to advance to the national title game against powerhouse North Dakota State. Nsimba Webster caught four touchdown passes for third-seeded Eastern Washington (12-2), which was playing in the national semifinals for the fifth time in nine years. Barriere completed 21 of 30 passes for 352 yards and tied the school record for scoring passes in a game. Chris Ferguson threw for 325 yards for Maine (10-4), which was making its first appearance in the semifinals. Maine fell into a hole early. Eastern’s Josh Lewis intercepted a Ferguson pass deep in Maine territory and was tackled on the 1-yard line. Barriere threw a touchdown pass to Andrew Boston for a 7-0 lead. Ferguson fumbled near midfield on Maine’s next possession and Eastern recovered. Barriere threw a 3-yard pass to Jayce Gilder for a 14-0 lead. Barriere’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Webster gave the Eagles a 21-0 lead, still in the first quarter. Barriere’s fourth touchdown pass, a 16-yarder to Webster late in the second quarter, made it 28-0 at halftime.

DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP

Valdosta State 49, Ferris State 47

MCKINNEY, TEXAS

Rogan Wells tied an NCAA Division II championship game record with five touchdown passes and Valdosta State won its fourth national title with a victory over Ferris State. Ferris’ rally from an 11-point deficit fell short when Jevon Shaw’s two-point conversion pass sailed wide of Keyondre Craig at the back of the end zone with 1:37 left. Sophomore Wells, the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy for Division II’s outstanding player, outplayed Ferris State junior Jayru Campbell, the Hill Trophy winner. Wells passed for 349 yards, ran for 39 and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Ivory Durham IV. Campbell ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and had 99 yards passing and another TD. Ferris couldn’t stop Valdosta’s championship-game-record 374-yard passing attack, and the champions gave up 270 rushing yards to Ferris. The lead changed hands seven times before Valdosta (14-0) overcame a 34-31 deficit with two third-quarter touchdowns on passes from Wells to Joe Fortson Jr. and Travis Taylor. Valdosta State won its first title since 2012. Lio’undre Gallimore had 111 yards and two scores on four catches.

Associated Press