AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific earned its first NCAA Division II football playoff berth in just its third year of NCAA postseason eligibility, picking up the No. 7 seed in Super Region Three after posting a 9-2 overall record and claiming the program's third Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in the past four years with a perfect 8-0 GNAC record.
The Cougars' first-round matchup is against No. 2-seed University of Sioux Falls, which is ranked No. 4 in Division II with a perfect 11-0 record. Azusa Pacific's all-time playoff history includes eight NAIA playoff appearances from 1998-2011, which also includes a 24-3 win at home over Sioux Falls in the quarterfinals of the 2004 NAIA playoffs.
Azusa Pacific's only two defeats this year came on the road against Colorado Mines and Colorado Mesa, who both also earned selection into the 28-team playoff field, and the Cougars finished with a No. 24 national ranking. Azusa Pacific finished the regular season with Division II's top red zone defense, and the Cougars rank second nationally in total turnover margin (plus-20).
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
NCAA Division II Football Playoffs: 1st Round
Azusa Pacific vs. Sioux Falls
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, 12 p.m. (CST)
LOCATION
Sioux Falls, South Dakota / Bob Young Field, USF Sports Complex (map)
WEATHER FORECAST (subject to change)
Daytime High Temperature: 31º
Game Time Conditions: Clear | 26º | Wind 6 mph WNW | Precipitation: 5% | Humidity 82% | Cloud Cover 2% | Sunset: 4:57 PM CST
TICKETS
Phone: 605-331-6791
Online: USFCougars.com/tickets
Pricing: Adult ($10), Child K-12 ($5), Seniors ($5)
LIVE COVERAGE
Live Video (free): Sioux Falls Athletics
Live Stats: Sioux Falls Athletics
Radio (local): KWSN AM 1230
Twitter & Instagram Story Updates: @APUCougars
GAME INFORMATION
Follow the links below to read game notes previewing Saturday night's game and follow live coverage online. You can also view the weekly press conference with head coach Victor Santa Cruz.
Week Twelve Game Notes: Azusa Pacific vs. Sioux Falls
AZUSA PACIFIC GAME DAY UNIFORMS
The game uniform combination is revealed on @APUCougars social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) every Friday morning for a Saturday kickoff.
