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2017 NCAA DIVISION II FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CENTRAL
Round 3 - Super Region Four Final
No. 5 Texas A&M-Commerce Lions at No. 2 Minnesota State Mavericks
Saturday, December 2 | Mankato, Minn. | Blakeslee Stadium | Noon |
For the first time in program history, your A&M-Commerce Lions will be playing a third postseason game! After the dramatic double overtime win over Central Washington, the Lions have advanced to the regional final round to take on second-seeded Minnesota State.
This is your one stop information source for all things related to the Lions' 2017 NCAA playoff berth. This will provide as much initial clarity as possible, and will be updated with information in advance of the game as more specific communication from NCAA representatives and Minnesota State University becomes available.
How do the playoffs work?
The NCAA Division II Football Committee announced the field of 28 teams for the 2017 NCAA Division II Football Championship with seven teams filling out each of the Super Region brackets. 12 first-round games were conducted on the campus of the higher seeded institution in each region last weekend. One team per super regional earned a first-round bye.
The second round winners have advanced to the regional final round with games on the campus of the higher seeded competing institutions. Winners in this round will advance to the national semifinals at various campus sites on December 9. The championship game will be played December 16, at 4 p.m. at Sporting Park in Kansas City and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.
What do we know about Minnesota State?
Athletics Website -
http://www.msumavericks.com/
From its founding in 1868 as Mankato Normal School, serving 27 students, this has been an institution where big ideas meet real-world thinking.
The school became Mankato State Teachers College in 1921, Mankato State College in 1957 and Mankato State University in 1975. In 1998, it took the name that stands today—Minnesota State University, Mankato. Although the first graduates earned one-or two-year degrees to become teachers, the University has been granting four-year degrees in a growing number of disciplines since 1927. The first master’s degrees were awarded in 1954, and the first doctorate was conferred in 2009.
The Maverick football team is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and has a 13-0 overall record, including 7-0 at home. They were the NSIC champions are are ranked No. 1 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll. The Mavericks defeated Colorado State-Pueblo in overtime in the first round, and beat Midwestern State in the second round.
TRAVEL
Is there a travel package for Lion fans?
NCAA Travel provides an easy and affordable way for family and fans to follow our student-athletes and team as we head to Mankato. Travel arrangements completed through NCAA Travel help support NCAA student-athletes. Please visit www.ncaa.com/travel to search and book online hotel, car and air travel, all in one easy transaction.
TICKETS
How much are tickets?
Ticket Procedure:
Per NCAA policy regarding fan seating for the visiting teams, 500 seats will be provided in a secured area immediately behind the visiting team bench.
Ticket Prices:
Reserved tickets $15.00
Adult general admission $10.00
Youth and senior citizen $ 5.00
College students (with ID) $ 3.00
Children (under age 5) Free
* Please note there will be no complimentary tickets for the playoffs.
Ticket sales will be handled in the following manner:
• There will be no phone orders accepted for the playoffs.
• Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.msumavericktickets.com. Tickets purchased online may be picked up on “game day” at the station outside the main entrance labeled “Advance Ticket Purchase Pick-up” beginning at 10:30 a.m.
• Fans can purchase tickets on game day at the stadium box office beginning at 10:30 a.m.
• Handicap spectators may contact Tim Marshall at 507-389-5884 for additional information on seating and parking.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
I cannot make the game, will it be on TV?
The game will be live-streamed by MSU. A direct link is
HERE.
Will the game be on radio?
Yes. The Lion Sports Radio Network - 89.9 KETR - will broadcast the game with Charlie Chitwood (Play-by-Play) and Brock Callaway (Color) on the call. Pre-game begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Lions Roar Weekly Radio Show will air one hour prior to kickoff. You can stream the broadcast at
www.KETR.org.
Will there be any watch parties in the area?
Yes. Here are the details:
COMMERCE
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| Luigi’s |
Mugs on the Square |
LION CHAMPIONS FUND – Official Dallas Area Watch Party
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Lakewood’s First and 10
6465 E. Mockingbird, #316
Dallas, TX, 75214
Kickoff at Noon (Opens at 11:30 a.m.)
A&M-Commerce Reserved Spirit Section
Food and drink specials if dressed in Lion spirit wear
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The watch parties will feature Lion drink and appetizer specials, and several Lion spirit giveaways during the game. For more information, contact
Lion Champions Fund Executive Director Taylor Phelps.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
From the North:
Travel south on Hwy, 169 to Mankato. Take Riverfront Drive Exit. Turn left (north) onto Riverfront Drive and continue to Stoltzman Road. Turn right (east) on Stoltzman Road and continue until you get to Stadium Road. Turn left onto Stadium Road and continue up the hill. Once you reach the top of the hill continue on Stadium Road for one block to Warren Street and you will see Blakeslee Stadium on the right hand side of the road.
From the South:
Travel North on Hwy.169 to Mankato. Take Riverfront Drive Exit. Turn left (north) onto Riverfront Drive and continue to Stoltzman Road. Turn right (east) on Stoltzman Road and continue until you get to Stadium Road. Turn left onto Stadium Road and continue up the hill. Once you reach the top of the hill continue on Stadium Road for one block to Warren Street and you will see Blakeslee Stadium on the right hand side of the road.
From the East:
Travel West on Hwy. 14 to Mankato. Take the Hwy. 22 Exit and travel south on Hwy. 22 to Hwy. 83. Turn right (west) on Hwy. 83 and continue to Victory Drive. Turn Left (south) on Victory Drive and continue to Stadium Road (this will be the first road on the right). Turn right on Stadium Road and continue approximately 1 mile to the corner of Warren Street and Stadium Road. Blakeslee Stadium will be on the left.
From the West:
Travel East on Hwy. 14 to Hwy 169 South. Take Riverfront Drive Exit. Turn left (north) onto Riverfront Drive and continue to Stoltzman Road. Turn right (east) on Stoltzman Road and continue until you get to Stadium Road. Turn left onto Stadium Road and continue up the hill. Once you reach the top of the hill continue on Stadium Road for one block to Warren Street and you will see Blakeslee Stadium on the right hand side of the road.
OTHER INFORMATION
What time do gates open?
10:30 a.m.
Where do I purchase official Lions gear?
Officially licensed gear for Lions fans can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Since it is a special accomplishment to achieve an NCAA playoff berth, is there a way to support the postseason excitement?
Absolutely! You can contact Lion Champions Fund Executive Director Taylor Phelps directly and discuss options to support our talented student-athletes and coaches.
