2025 NCAA Division II football season

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Total No. of teams161
Regular seasonAugust 28 – November 15, 2025
PlayoffsNovember 22 – December 20, 2025
National ChampionshipMcKinney Independent School District Stadium
McKinney, TX
December 20, 2025
2025 NCAA Division II football season
Total No. of teams161
Regular seasonAugust 28 – November 15, 2025
PlayoffsNovember 22 – December 20, 2025
National ChampionshipMcKinney Independent School District Stadium
McKinney, TX
December 20, 2025
ChampionFerris State
Harlon Hill TrophyCurtis Allen, RB, Virginia Union

The 2025 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level, began on August 28 and ended on December 20 with the Division II championship at the McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas.


  • Conference Carolinas resumed sponsoring football in 2025, after dropping the sport 50 years earlier prior to the 1975 season.
SchoolFormer conferenceNew conferenceRef
Barton BulldogsSACCarolinas[1]
Chowan HawksGulf SouthCarolinas[1]
Erskine Flying FleetGulf SouthCarolinas[1]
Ferrum PanthersODAC (D-III)Carolinas[2]
Jamestown JimmiesNorth Star (NAIA)NSIC[3]
Limestone SaintsSACSchool closed[4][5]
Mississippi College ChoctawsGulf SouthDropped program[6]
New Haven ChargersNE-10Northeast (D-I FCS)[7]
North Greenville TrailblazersGulf SouthCarolinas[1]
Shorter HawksIndependent (D-II)Carolinas[1]
UNC Pembroke BravesMountain EastCarolinas[1]

Headlines

  • January 17 – At the 2025 NCAA Convention, Division II's football-sponsoring delegates approved a proposal to award automatic bids to the playoffs for the conference champion of each football-sponsoring conference, replacing the earned access model.[8]
  • April 23 – In accordance with Division II championship policy, which states that automatic qualifiers must make up no more than 50% of the playoff field, the Division II Executive Board approved the expansion of the football playoff bracket from 28 to 32 teams, effective with the 2025 season.[9]

Kickoff games

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceRef.
August 31 No. T–24 Miles No. 19 Virginia Union Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium • Canton, Ohio (Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic)  3–45  3,280[10][11]
#Rankings from AFCA Coaches poll released prior to the game.

Top 10 matchups

This section lists games between top ten ranked teams in the AFCA Coaches poll during the season.

Regular season

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceRef.
August 28 No. 9 Pittsburg State No. 1 Ferris State Top Taggart Field • Big Rapids, Michigan  17–34  5,434[12]
September 27 No. 8 California (PA) No. 4 Slippery Rock Mihalik-Thompson Stadium • Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania  45–38  7,670[13]
October 4 No. 9 UT Permian Basin No. 5 Angelo State LeGrand Sports Complex • San Angelo, Texas  28–14  4,989[14]
October 18 No. 3 West Florida No. 8 West Alabama Tiger Stadium • Livingston, Alabama  23–16  4,789[15]
November 1 No. 7 CSU Pueblo No. 6 Western Colorado Mountaineer Bowl • Gunnison, Colorado  24–21  2,773[16]
#Rankings from AFCA Coaches poll released prior to the game.

Postseason tournament

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceRef.
November 22 No. 10 UT Permian Basin No. 4 CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl • Pueblo, Colorado (First round–Super region 4)  37–24  2,372[17]
November 29 No. 6 Pittsburg State No. 2 Harding First Security Stadium • Searcy, Arkansas (Second round–Super region 4)  21–37  2,125[18]
December 6 No. 10 UT Permian Basin No. 2 Harding First Security Stadium • Searcy, Arkansas (National quarterfinal)  28–34  2,775[19]
December 13 No. 2 Harding No. 3 Kutztown Andre Reed Stadium • Kutztown, Pennsylvania (National semifinal)  49–27  5,856[20]
December 20 No. 2 Harding No. 1 Ferris State McKinney ISD Stadium • McKinney, Texas (National championship game)  21–42  10,521[21]
#Rankings from AFCA Coaches poll released on November 17.

Upsets

Rankings

Conference standings

Super Region 1

2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 18 Johnson C. Smith y$^ 7–1  10–2 
No. 21 Virginia Union y^ 7–1  10–2 
Fayetteville State 6–1  6–4 
Virginia State 4–3  6–4 
Elizabeth City State 4–3  4–6 
Livingstone 3–4  5–5 
Winston-Salem State 2–5  4–6 
Bluefield State 2–5  3–7 
Bowie State 2–5  3–7 
Shaw 2–5  2–8 
Lincoln (PA) 0–7  0–10 
Championship: Johnson C. Smith 45, Virginia Union 21
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Mountain East Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 14 Frostburg State +^ 7–1  10–2 
Charleston (WV) + 7–1  8–3 
Glenville State 5–3  6–5 
Wheeling 5–3  6–5 
West Virginia State 4–4  5–6 
Fairmont State 3–5  6–5 
West Liberty 3–5  3–8 
Concord 2–6  4–7 
West Virginia Wesleyan 0–8  0–11 
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Northeast-10 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 24 Assumption +^ 6–1  9–3 
Bentley +^ 6–1  7–4 
Franklin Pierce 5–2  6–4 
Saint Anselm 4–3  5–5 
Southern Connecticut 4–3  4–6 
American International 2–5  2–8 
Post 1–6  4–6 
Pace 0–7  0–11 
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 3 Kutztown xy$^ 7–0  14–1 
Shepherd 6–1  7–4 
East Stroudsburg 5–2  8–3 
Lock Haven 4–3  6–5 
Shippensburg 3–4  3–8 
West Chester 2–5  4–7 
Bloomsburg 1–6  3–8 
Millersville 0–7  0–11 
West Division
IUP xy^ 5–1  7–4 
Edinboro x 5–1  7–4 
No. 22 California (PA) ^ 3–3  9–4 
Slippery Rock 3–3  6–4 
Clarion 2–4  6–5 
Seton Hill 2–4  4–7 
Gannon 1–5  1–10 
Championship: Kutztown 28, IUP 23
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll

Super Region 2

2025 Conference Carolinas football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
North Greenville y$^ 6–0  7–5 
UNC Pembroke y 5–1  8–3 
Ferrum* 3–3  4–7 
Barton 3–3  3–8 
Chowan 2–4  4–7 
Shorter 1–5  2–9 
Erskine 1–5  1–10 
Championship: North Greenville 34, UNC Pembroke 20
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Ferrum ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division III
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Gulf South Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 9 West Florida +^ 2–1  10–2 
Valdosta State +^ 2–1  6–5 
Delta State 1–2  7–3 
West Alabama 0–3  5–4 
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 South Atlantic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 4 Newberry $^ 8–1  12–2 
Wingate ^ 7–2  9–3 
Emory & Henry 6–3  8–3 
Carson–Newman 6–3  7–3 
Catawba 5–4  7–4 
Lenoir–Rhyne 5–4  6–5 
Mars Hill 4–5  5–6 
Anderson (SC) 3–6  5–6 
UVA Wise 1–8  1–9 
Tusculum 0–9  1–9 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 7 Albany State y$^ 8–0  12–2 
No. 20 Benedict y^ 7–1  10–3 
Kentucky State ^ 7–1  9–3 
Allen 5–3  6–5 
Edward Waters 4–4  5–5 
Fort Valley State 4–4  4–6 
Savannah State 3–5  4–6 
Tuskegee 3–5  4–7 
Morehouse 3–5  3–7 
Central State (OH) 3–5  3–7 
Miles 3–5  3–8 
Clark Atlanta 2–6  3–7 
Lane 0–8  0–10 
Championship: Albany State 22, Benedict 16
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll

Super Region 3

2025 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 7–0  16–0 
Grand Valley State 5–2  7–3 
Saginaw Valley State 5–2  6–5 
Michigan Tech 4–3  7–4 
Davenport 4–3  5–5 
Northern Michigan 2–5  3–8 
Roosevelt* 1–6  2–8 
Wayne State (MI) 0–7  0–11 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Roosevelt ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Great Lakes Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 10 Indianapolis $^ 8–0  11–2 
Truman ^ 7–1  8–4 
Upper Iowa # 6–2  9–3 
Missouri S&T 4–4  6–5 
Quincy 4–4  6–5 
McKendree 4–4  4–7 
Southwest Baptist 2–6  3–7 
William Jewell 1–7  3–8 
Lincoln (MO) 0–8  2–9 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Albanese Candy Bowl participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Great Midwest Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 19 Findlay +^ 8–1  10–2 
No. 15 Ashland +^ 8–1  10–3 
Northwood ^ 7–2  9–3 
Tiffin 6–3  7–4 
Hillsdale # 5–4  6–6 
Walsh 4–5  6–5 
Ohio Dominican 4–5  5–5 
Lake Erie 2–7  2–9 
Thomas More 1–8  1–10 
Kentucky Wesleyan 0–9  0–11 
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Albanese Candy Bowl participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
North
No. 16 Minnesota Duluth x$^ 9–1  10–2 
MSU Moorhead 7–3  8–3 
Northern State 6–4  7–4 
Bemidji State 4–6  4–7 
Mary 3–7  4–7 
Minot State 3–7  3–8 
Jamestown* 1–9  1–9 
South
No. 25 Augustana (SD) 8–2  9–2 
No. 8 Minnesota State x^ 7–3  10–4 
Wayne State (NE) x 7–3  7–4 
Sioux Falls 6–4  7–4 
Winona State 6–4  6–5 
Concordia–St. Paul 2–8  2–9 
SW Minnesota State 1–9  1–10 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Jamestown ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA
Rankings from AFCA poll

Super Region 4

2025 Great American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 2 Harding $^ 11–0  15–1 
Southern Arkansas 8–3  8–3 
Henderson State 8–3  8–3 
Ouachita Baptist 7–4  7–4 
Arkansas Tech # 7–4  7–5 
East Central # 6–5  6–6 
SW Oklahoma State 6–5  6–5 
SE Oklahoma State 5–6  5–6 
Arkansas–Monticello 2–9  2–9 
Oklahoma Baptist 2–9  2–9 
NW Oklahoma State 2–9  2–9 
Southern Nazarene 2–9  2–9 
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 13 Central Washington $^ 9–0  10–2 
No. 5 UT Permian Basin ^ 7–2  11–3 
Western Oregon 7–2  8–3 
West Texas A&M # 7–2  8–4 
Angelo State 4–5  6–5 
Texas A&M–Kingsville 4–5  5–6 
Eastern New Mexico 3–6  3–8 
Midwestern State 3–6  3–8 
Western New Mexico 1–8  2–9 
Sul Ross * 0–9  0–11 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Heritage Bowl participant
    * – Ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division III
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 6 Pittsburg State +^ 8–1  10–3 
No. 17 NW Missouri State +^ 8–1  9–3 
Central Oklahoma 6–3  6–5 
Fort Hays State 5–4  6–5 
Central Missouri 5–4  5–6 
Nebraska–Kearney 4–5  6–5 
Emporia State 4–5  5–6 
Missouri Western 2–7  3–8 
Washburn 2–7  3–8 
Missouri Southern 1–8  3–8 
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2025 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 11 CSU Pueblo $^ 9–0  10–2 
No. 23 Chadron State ^ 8–1  8–4 
No. 12 Western Colorado ^ 7–2  10–3 
Colorado Mines 5–4  7–4 
Colorado Mesa 5–4  6–5 
New Mexico Highlands 4–5  6–5 
Black Hills State 3–6  3–8 
South Dakota Mines 3–6  3–8 
Fort Lewis 1–8  2–9 
Adams State 0–9  0–11 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2025 NCAA Division II independents football records
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Northeastern State # –  9–3 

Postseason

Bracket

Host team indicated either by higher seed or * where applicable.

Super Region 1

First Round
November 22, 2025
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 29, 2025
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 6, 2025
Campus sites
         
1 Kutztown 52
Bentley 0
1 Kutztown 56
Assumption 19
4 IUP 20
Assumption 23
1 Kutztown 51
Frostburg State 29
2 Johnson C. Smith 7
Frostburg State 21
Frostburg State 23
* California (PA) 21
3 Virginia Union 24
California (PA) 27

Super Region 2

First Round
November 22, 2025
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 29, 2025
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 6, 2025
Campus sites
         
1 Albany State 35
Valdosta State 30
1 Albany State 14
Benedict 12
4 Wingate 24
Benedict 25
1 Albany State 24
3 Newberry 31
2 West Florida 43
North Greenville 19
2 West Florida 17
3 Newberry 24
3 Newberry 45
Kentucky State 24

Super Region 3

First Round
November 22, 2025
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 29, 2025
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 6, 2025
Campus sites
         
1 Ferris State 65
Northwood 14
1 Ferris State 56
4 Ashland 24
4 Ashland 32
Minnesota Duluth 7
1 Ferris State 52
Minnesota State 29
2 Findlay 14
Minnesota State 37
Minnesota State 35
3 Indianapolis 27
3 Indianapolis 57
Truman 14

Super Region 4

First Round
November 22, 2025
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 29, 2025
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 6, 2025
Campus sites
         
1 Harding 38
NW Missouri State 16
1 Harding 37
4 Pittsburg State 21
4 Pittsburg State 21
Chadron State 17
1 Harding 34
UT Permian Basin 28
2 Central Washington 20
Western Colorado 27
* Western Colorado 15
UT Permian Basin (OT) 21
3 CSU Pueblo 24
UT Permian Basin 37

Semifinals and championship

Teams were re-seeded prior to semifinals.

Semifinals
December 13, 2025
Hosted by higher seeded team 		Championship
December 20, 2025
McKinney, Texas
      
1 Ferris State 49
4 Newberry 17
1 Ferris State 42
3 Harding 21
2 Kutztown 27
3 Harding 49

Bowl games

Three bowl games were held which featured teams that did not qualify for the postseason tournament. This was up from only two bowls in past season, with the addition of the First Americans Bowl.

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceRef.
December 6 Arkansas Tech West Texas A&M Community National Bank & Trust Stadium • Corsicana, Texas (Heritage Bowl)  27–28  4,685[71]
December 6 Upper Iowa Hillsdale Brickyard Stadium • Hobart, Indiana (Albanese Candy Bowl)  37–28  382[72]
December 6 East Central Northeastern State Doc Wadley Stadium • Tahlequah, Oklahoma (First Americans Bowl)  21–56  4,977[73]
#Rankings from AFCA Coaches poll released prior to the game.

Coaching changes

See also

References

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