NEWSFLASH! Florida Tech Panthers To Host North Greenville University In Division II Playoff Game

By  //  November 13, 2016

GAME SET FOR PANTHER STADIUM SATURDAY

NEWSFLASH! The Florida Tech Panthers are IN! Florida Tech will host North Greenville University this coming Saturday at Florida Tech Panther Stadium in the 2016 Division II playoffs.

For the first time in the history of the program, Florida Tech football is headed to the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs after earning the No. 3 seed in Super Region 2.

The time of the game and ticket information is yet to be determined and will be released as soon as it is available.

One month ago, the first iteration of the regional rankings had the Florida Tech Panthers on the outside looking in at the playoffs, but FIT closed the regular season on a three-game winning streak to earn the first postseason opportunity in program history.

The Panthers took down new rival Valdosta and followed up with wins over West Georgia, on the road, and closed out the season on Saturday with a victory over Delta State at home on senior day.

Florida Tech climbed two spots from No.5 in the rankings last week, which would have had the Panthers traveling to play next week but at No.3 in Super Region 2, FIT will stay home for the programs first ever D2 playoff appearance.

The Panthers opponent, North Greenville University is one of only five D2 Independents. Ironically, The Gulf South Conference announced last spring that North Greenville University would join the conference known as the SEC of D2 football.

Located in Tigerville, S.C., just north of Greenville, NGU will be the second football-only member for the GSC and will have full integration into the schedule and access to championships and awards in 2018, boosting the conference’s football membership to 10 teams.

NGU finished the 2016 season 7-4 and 1-1 vs. teams Florida Tech played this past season. The Crusaders toppled West Alabama but fell to Newberry.

ABOVE VIDEO: North Greenville football earned its second ever bid to the NCAA playoffs on Sunday night earning the sixth seed in Super Region 2. The Crusaders will take on Florida Tech Panthers on Saturday in Melbourne, Floirda.

The Crusaders are led by quarterback Will Hunter, who has passed for 2,421 yards and 18 touchdowns, while running back Tracy Scott has racked up 826 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Of the 170 teams in D2 football, NGU has the No. 90 ranked defense (392 YPG) and the No.65 ranked offense. Conversely, the Florida Tech Panthers have the number No. 36 defense and No. 19 offense in all D2.

Gulf South Conference foe, the University of North Alabama finished the regular season undefeated and are the number one seed in Super Regional 2, earning a bye in the first week of play.

North Alabama’s opponent will be the winner of the matchup between Valdosta State and UNC Pembroke, the fourth and fifth seed, respectively.

VSU was ranked second in the original regional rankings, but fell to seventh in the second edition after a loss to Florida Tech. The Valdosta Blazers rebounded to win the final two games on their slate and now earn a trip to the playoffs in Kerwin Bell’s first year at the helm.

VIDEO: Florida Tech Secures School’s First Playoff Berth, Defeats Delta State 42-16Related Story:
VIDEO: Florida Tech Secures School’s First Playoff Berth, Defeats Delta State 42-16

The number two seed is Newberry, the SAC Champions and a team Florida Tech beat in Week 1 this season. Tuskegee will be in the seventh spot despite a tough loss in the final week of the regular season.

The winner of the Newberry/Tuskegee game will face either North Greenville, the sixth seed, or Florida Tech, the third seed.

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NEWSFLASH! The Florida Tech Panthers are IN! Florida Tech will host North Greenville University this coming Saturday at Florida Tech Panther Stadium in the 2016 Division II playoffs.