Division 2 Football Matchups To Watch Week 5

Hello Justin Berendzen here with my week 5 Matchups to watch in Division 2 for the week of October 5th 2024 highlighting teams and players in matchups for this week.

1.Slippery Rock University at Indiana University-Pennsylvania

The Rock up against the Crimson Hawks in what should be a very competitive PSAC matchup. The Indiana PA defense is led by redshirt senior defensive end Maurice Feazell who has 16 tackles, 6 TFLs and 4 1/2 sacks in 2024. Senior running back Idris Lawrence has 328 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns for Slippery Rock’s offense in the year. The Rock’s defense is led by graduate defensive lineman Todd Hill who has 21 tackles, 7 1/2 TFLs and 3 sacks this season. The Crimson Hawks offense has redshirt junior wide receiver Maurice Massey who has 196 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns in the season.

2.Grand Valley State University at Davenport University

This should be an interesting GLIAC matchup that might be worth watching. Davenport’s offense is led by redshirt senior running back Myren Harris who is a threat both in the run game and in the pass game with 256 rushing yards, 227 receiving yards and 3 total touchdowns in the 2024 season. For the Lakers defense they have senior defensive back Ian Kennelly who has 19 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 PBUs in the season. The Grand Valley State offense is led by sophomore running back Khalil Eichelberger who has 383 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the year. Defensively for the Panthers they have redshirt senior defensive back Christian Jones who has 18 tackles, 3 PBUs, 2 interceptions and 1 TFL in 2024.

3.University of Indianapolis at William Jewell College

This is my under the radar division two matchup of the week. I think William Jewell could sneak up on people. The Cardinals are led by redshirt senior running back Keaundre McCullough who has 686 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Greyhounds they have senior linebacker Clay Schulte who has 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2 sacks and 1 interception in 2024. For UIndy’s offense they have senior running back Jon Lewis who has 426 rushing yard and 6 rushing touchdowns this season. Defensively for William Jewell they have junior defensive lineman Justin Endicott who has 15 tackles, 5 1/2 TFLs and 4 sacks in the 2024 season.

4.University of Central Missouri at Fort Hays State University

We have the Mules against the Tigers for this matchup. The Tigers offense is led by senior running back Shane Watts who has 453 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in the season. Central Missouri’s defense is led by redshirt senior defensive LaDarian Paulk who has 17 tackles, 3 PBUs, and 2 interceptions in 2024. The Mules offense has redshirt senior wide receiver NyNy Davis who has 214 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns in the season. Fort Hays State defensively has senior defensive lineman Myles Menges who has 12 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks and 3 PBUs in the 2024 season.

5.Winston Salem-State University at Virginia Union University

This figures to be an interesting division two HBCU matchup. The Panthers are led offensively by senior running back Jada Byers who has 536 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in the 2024 season. Winston Salem State’s defense has senior defensive back Justin Fleming who has 40 tackles, 3 1/2 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 PBU on the year. For the Rams offense they have junior running back Trevon Hester who has 379 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns this season. Virginia Union’s defense has junior safety Donald Gatling who has 25 tackles, 2 PBUs and 1 interception in 2024.

Hula Bowl Contributor and Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen