Week 2 Games of the Week

While we didn’t make any selections in week one, we figure it’s better late than never.

Here are our selections for the Division 2, Division 3, and NAIA Games of the week from September 9th starting with a double-overtime thriller.

D1 Rejects selections for the D2 Games of the Week

DIVISION 2: (20)CSU Pueblo vs. (4)Grand Valley State

After a road loss at the hands of Colorado Mines in week 1, as convincing as the GVSU offense looked in the second half there were still questions about the Lakers under the new direction of Scott Wooster. A quick 21-0 lead on the Thunderwolves last night had many (including us) thinking this game would be blown open, but credit to Pueblo for sticking around with plays in all facets of the game.

This sneaking suspicion of a comeback became all the more real after Grand Valley’s starting QB Cade Peterson had to leave the game in the third quarter to undergo concussion protocol, leaving redshirt freshman Alex Thole under center with Avery Moore currently injured as well. The freshman quelled any doubt on his second snap, completed a 31-yard pass to Darrel Johnson and GV continued to score.

An interception in the fourth quarter from Terez Reid seemed like it may seal the deal for the Lakers, but a few plays later Pueblo would strike the equalizing blow with a 40-yard pick-six by way of Gary Seidenburger.

One more touchdown for both sides, including a catch from Pueblo’s Reggie Retzlaff as time expired, sent the game to overtime knotted up at 42 apiece.

The next three plays were ALL TOUCHDOWNS. Each team answered immediately, and just when we thought the trend would continue the Grand Valley secondary stepped up big-time and forced several incompletions to seal the win with the last ball defended by Cole Patritto.

An instant classic where we were reminded that even though these two squads have new men at the helm, the programs haven’t missed a step and will both go on to have promising years in their respective conferences.

D1 Rejects selections for the D3 Games of the Week

DIVISION 3: (6)Hardin-Simmons vs. (11)UW La Crosse

Making the trip up from Abeline Texas, this game was a tale of two halves for the Cowboys.

These teams went back and forth in the first half, answering opposing touchdowns with one of their own, leaving us with a tie game 14-14 late in the second quarter. La Crosse QB Keyser Helterbrand would run in the go-ahead score with just over three minutes left in the half and it felt like the Eagles were moving the ball at will.

That would all change in the second half.

Hardin-Simmons wasted no time getting back on the board; Noah Garcia took one 56 yards for a score only 39 seconds into the third quarter, and their defense was coming alive at just the right time.

Another TD in the third off the legs of Colton Marshall put HSU ahead and they never gave La Crosse a chance to fight their way back into this one.

The Cowboy’s defense answered the call and then some, pitching a shutout in the second half with three takeaways in the 4th quarter in an impressive road performance led by Senior LB Cade Michna who finished with 13 tackles (12 solo), a sack, and an interception.

NAIA: (2)Keiser vs. (9)Lindsey Wilson

This pick was an easy one, with a lot at stake for both squads coming off playoff runs in 2022.

Looking at just the final score, you wouldn’t know how dominant the Seahawk defense was into the fourth quarter. Keiser led by as much as 24 points before Lindsey Wilson started to put things together offensively.

The Blue Raiders got the ball with 12 minutes to go in the game, from which they’d go on to score three touchdowns. The extra point on the last score was no-good, leaving them behind by four points and unable to kick a field goal on their final drive, which ended on the Keiser 20-yard line.

A key win for a Keiser team that goes on the road this week to take on Division 2 foe Valdosta State out of the Gulf South Conference.