The Trine University football team (10-0) takes their unbeaten record into the postseason as the Thunder will face off against Monmouth (Ill.) Saturday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. ET in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Division III Football Championship, hosted at Trine University.
Trine earned the MIAA's automatic berth into the national tournament by virtue of a perfect 6-0 record against conference challengers. Coupled with a 4-0 non-conference record, the Thunder became the first team since 2010 to go unbeaten during the regular season, a feat last accomplished by Trine.
The Thunder are also the last MIAA team to win a game in the NCAA Championship, which also happened during the 2010 campaign.
Monmouth (Ill.) (9-1) earned an automatic berth for the Midwest Conference after defeating St. Norbert 9-6 in overtime Nov. 11.
Trine and Monmouth (Ill.) have a common opponent in Hope, where Monmouth posted a 27-20 win over the Flying Dutchmen in the season opener Sept. 2 while Trine defeated Hope 50-14 Oct. 21.
The winner of Trine/Monmouth (Ill.) will take on the winner of Franklin (8-2) and Wartburg (10-0) in a second round contest. The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (the 2017 NCAA Division III Football Championship game) is slated for Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
Tournament links
NCAA Division III Football page
2017 NCAA Division III Football bracket announcement
