It's here, folks! D3 football is back, and already we've had some remarkable upsets — how about Illinois Wesleyan beating UW-Whitewater 17-10? Everyone saw that coming, right?
Of course, the week also brought with it an assortment of incredible highlights for us to enjoy. Here be the Top 5. Feel free to vote for which one is the absolute creme de le creme.
Let's do this thing.
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Xadrian Wilkins Scrambles to Convert Blocked Field Goal
I'm a bit confused with this one, since there's literally nothing explaining when this play happened during the game; and no stats indicating its overall contribution. From what I gather, MacMurray had just scored and was lining up to kick the extra point. Except, the kick was blocked by Rockford. Luckily for MacMurray, the ball landed right in the hands of Xadrian Wilkins, who plowed through defenders to convert the extra point.
If anyone wants to shed some light on the proceedings, feel free to message me @stockames12 on Twitter.
In any event, it was a stellar, and very fortuitous play.
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Late Fumble Lifts Ferrum to Victory Over Emory & Henry
#SCtop10 Montel Lee forced fumble with 1:11 left in the game and no timeouts. Set up game winning TD. 13-8 Final over Emory & Henry #d3fb pic.twitter.com/WTfU95cfdY
— Ferrum Football (@FerrumFootball) September 3, 2017
Leading 8-6 with a little over a minute left on the clock, Emory and Henry needed only run out the remaining time 60-plus seconds. A solid plan, except Ferrum opted for a different ending.
Facing a new set of downs on Emory & Henry's side of the field, Ferrum's Montel Lee forced Sam Wagner to fumble the ball. Lee scooped up the ball and was taken down on the 28-yard line. A few plays layer, Zack Clifford' found Johnny White for what turned out to be the game-winning score.
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Awesome 23-Yard Nate Hodapp TD Reception
WR Nate Hodapp with the 23 yard TD reception to put the Warriors up 21-0 over Lyon. 7:22 left in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/aGs5MuwnzO
— Hendrix Football (@HendrixFootball) September 3, 2017
This game wasn't particularly close — Hendrix won 56-28 — but it still offered a fair share of entertainment, not least of which was Nate Hodapp's leaping touchdown catch against two Lyon defenders. Very Gronk-like.
Hodapp finished the night with nine catches, 141 receiving yards and three touchdowns. QB Miles Thompson, who made the beautiful, 23-yard throw, ended with 346 passing yards and five touchdowns on 27-of-35 attempts.
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Tip Drill Leads to JCU Touchdown
Tip drill for a @JCUSports touchdown. #d3football #NCAATop10 pic.twitter.com/AsPotl4nZt
— NCAA Division III (@NCAADIII) September 2, 2017
This was one of the more awesome plays from Saturday, in what was probably the most high-profile matchup — UW-Oshkosh v John Carroll.
While the Titans would ultimately prevail 23-17, JCU came away with the play of the night.
Late in the second quarter, facing a wall of defenders, JCU QB Anthony Moeglin scrambled out of the pocket and threw up a prayer intended for William Woods. The pass came up short, but Woods made a play for the ball leaping high against a defender. The young receiver couldn't haul in the pass, but instead tipped the ball, which then sailed into the hands of Eddie Williamson. The 5-foot-9 junior receiver then raced down the sideline and dove into the end zone for the improbable score.
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Nick Murgo INT Seals Washington & Jefferson's Win Over St. John Fisher
FB: Murgo seals W&J's 37-27 win over No. 23 St. John Fisher with this late 4th quarter interception #prezpride #d3fb pic.twitter.com/0jQ6acqlOb
— W&J Athletics (@wjathletics) September 2, 2017
With time winding down, and trailing 37-27, St. John Fisher needed a miracle. Well, a quasi-miracle did happen … just for the other team.
On a 1st and 10 at W&J's 47-yard line, Fisher QB Joshua Michels attempted a pass in the middle of the field that was easily scooped up by Washington and Jefferson defensive back Nick Murgo, who ran 20-yards before being brought down.
The play more or less ended the contest, and gave Washington & Jefferson its first win of the season.
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Ok, now your turn. Which one of these videos stood out to you? Vote below!
VOTE: D3 Football Play of the Week (1)
