Carson-Newman To Play At Grand Valley State In Football Semifinals

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The kickoff for Saturday's Division II national semifinal between Carson-Newman and Grand Valley State has been set for 3:30 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Mich., officials announced today.

The 10th-ranked Eagles (11-2) and third-ranked Lakers (12-1) will square off in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The winner of Saturday's contest will face the winner of California (Pa.) and Northwest Missouri State in the national championship on Dec. 12 in Florence, Ala.

C-N is making its fifth appearance in the semifinals and first since 1999. The Eagles advanced to the round of four with a 24-21 victory over No. 5 North Alabama on Saturday afternoon in Braly Municipal Stadium. The win was C-N's first ever in Florence, Ala.

The Eagles have been to three Division II national title games all-time, with the last being in 1999. C-N is 0-3 in those contests.

Grand Valley State advanced to the semifinals by defeating defending national champion Minnesota Duluth, 24-10, on Saturday. The Lakers are making their seventh trip to the semifinals and fourth in the last five years.

Grand Valley State has advanced to the national championship game in Florence five times and has won four titles, with the last two coming back-to-back in 2005 and 2006.

Saturday's meeting will be just the second between the Eagles and Lakers. C-N defeated Grand Valley State, 42-9, in its season opener in 1984.

Tickets for Saturday's game are $15 and can be purchased at Lubbers Stadium on game day.