That was fun, wasn't it? The D3 Football Playoffs are here and Week 1 saw some wild results, including Wartburg's thrilling victory over Franklin, Linfield's victory over red-hot Hardin-Simmons, and the six points scored against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
And yes, there be highlights. Don't forget to vote below. If I missed one, let me know @stockames12 on Twitter.
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FUMBLE LEADS TO TD FOR CWRU
TD CWRU on a play the Spartans fumbled. CWRU 7 IWU 0, 1:31 2nd Q #d3fb pic.twitter.com/rxI6IhdfVE
— Bob Quillman (@IWUhoopscom) November 18, 2017
Sometimes mistakes can lead to good things. Case Western Reserve QB Rob Cuda attempted to run the ball into the end zone from three yards out, but got stuffed on his attempt and (even worse) lost the football in the process. Luckily, Aaron Aguilar was there to scoop up the rock and run it into the end zone. That's how you turn lemons into lemonade, people.
Case Western handily beat Illinois Wesleyan 28-0.
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W&J DEFENSE STEPS UP IN HUGE VICTORY
FB: On Johns Hopkins' final drive of the game, W&J's defense sacks the QB three times on three consecutive plays to help seal today's 31-28 victory. Tom Marra had the first two sacks and Freddie McKissick had the third #prezpride #d3fb pic.twitter.com/93xCAJYo9u
— Washington & Jefferson Athletics (@wjathletics) November 18, 2017
This is one of those times where a number of plays deserve mention for doing one very BIG thing. In this case, leading by three, Washington and Jefferson's defense had to keep Johns Hopkins out of field goal range on the final drive of the game. Naturally, the Presidents' defense sacked the QB three consecutive times, leading to the stellar 31-28 win.
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HUBBARD BURNS PLYMOUTH STATE DEFENSE FOR LONG TEEDER
Right down the seam for a 37 yd TD on 4th and 2 and now it's Brockport 31 Plymouth St. 0 w/ 4:33 left in 1st half #D3FB @d3football pic.twitter.com/dfy3jAfkms
— Dave McKinley (@DaveMcKinley2) November 18, 2017
In one of this week's many blowouts, Brockport had a blast picking on Plymouth State's suspect secondary. At one point, facing a 4th and 2, DaQuan Hubbard snuck through defenders, snagged a pass from QB Joe Germinerio and then streaked down the field for a 37-yard TD.
Brockport ultimately won 66-0. And when you're converting 4th and 2s into touchdowns, it's pretty easy to see why.
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LINFIELD DEFENSE BULLIES HSU
The defense has been doing this all season long. 10 yard sack on 3rd down means another 3 and out for HSU. #d3fb #RollCats #Catdome pic.twitter.com/0JwN7Nfkda
— Linfield Football (@LinfieldFB) November 18, 2017
It's tough to truly appreciate a play via a GIF, but you can still appreciate the sheer awesomeness of Linfield's ferocious defense. In this instance, Mitchell Kekel and Asa Schwartz (at least, that's who I assume it is) reached Hardin-Simmons QB Landry Turner at the same time and the results look downright nasty. Linfield won the battle 27-13.
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INCREDIBLE DEFENSIVE PLAY LEADS WARTBURG OVER FRANKLIN
The game winner #Wartburg pic.twitter.com/4smOw7rGR7
— Trae Hestness (@TraeHestness) November 19, 2017
In a tight back-and-forth affair, Wartburg prevailed over Franklin in overtime 35-34, thanks to this final play in which defensive back Peyton Imhof batted away Chase Burton's pass to the back of the end zone.
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What was the D3 Football Play of the Week?
