The 2019 DII football season is creeping closer. The bulk of the season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 5, with 2018 national runners-up Ferris State amongst a slew of DII football opening night games.
2019 PRESEASON POLL: Here's what we learned from the AFCA top 25 | Full rankings
Elizabeth City — who travels to FCS Hampton on August 31 — and Morehouse — which opens in the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Classic against FCS Alabama A&M — get the season underway the weekend of August 31, but the majority of the DII football slate begins the weekend of Sept. 5.
2018 RECAP: Valdosta State defeats Ferris State 49-47 | 11 numbers from record-setting game
Though there are some action-packed games Thursday night, the Saturday, Sept. 7 slate, including reigning national champion Valdosta State, gets the 11-week grind of the DII football rolling. That’s when 28 teams begin their quest to find a slot in the 2019 DII football championship playoff bracket.
Always in Attack Mode 🔥. #ATTACK pic.twitter.com/85uElABsxs
— Valdosta State Football (@valdostastatefb) June 12, 2019
This season’s tournament begins with first-round action on Nov. 23. Four rounds will follow each week before culminating in the national championship game on Dec. 21 at McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas — the second-straight season the title game returns to McKinney.
DII FOOTBALL HEADS TO TEXAS: McKinney ISD to be host until 2021
Nine of the 28 DII football championship tournament teams commence the 2019 season on Thursday night, including an opening night matchup between Ouachita Baptist and Harding, two 2018 playoff teams. Here are some of the bigger matchups from the Thursday night slate and every game from the top 25 and those receiving votes for opening weekend.
DII FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: How the DII tournament works
TOURNEY FAQS: New bracket format, explained | How the tourney works
HARLON HILL TROPHY: A complete history | Rivers III wins 2019 award
DII HISTORY: Most played rivalries | Winningest teams | Championship history
