With the conclusion of the 2022 NJCAA Division III Football regular season and the final national poll, the NJCAA has announced that North Dakota State College of Science and DuPage (IL) have been selected to compete in the 2022 NJCAA Division III Football Championship.  The Wildcats and the Chaparrals will square off on the campus of College of DuPage at Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium in Glen Ellyn, IL on Saturday, December 3 at 12:00 PM CT.  The championship game will stream on ESPN+ as part of a multi-year media rights agreement with ESPN.  

North Dakota SCS earned the No. 1 spot in the final poll of the regular season with a 9-1 record.  The Wildcats concluded the 2022 season on a seven-game win streak and claimed the Minessota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) title by defeating then-No. 1 Minnesota State 19-0 on November 6.  North Dakota SCS is led offensively by sophomore quarterback Graedyn Buell who leads the nation with 23 passing TDs and ranks sixth nationally with six rushing TDs.  One of Buell's favorite targets is receiver Marselio Mendez.  The sophomore leads the nation with 12 receiving TDs so far this season and ranks second nationally with 78.2 receiving yards per game. Despite strong offensive leaders, the Wildcats' deep all-around offense leads the nation in several categories including passing yards per attempt (9.9), passing yards per completion (17.6), and rushing attempts (418).  On the defensive side of the ball, North Dakota SCS is led by Erik Lumpkin with 65 total tackles, seven sacks, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions so far this season.  

DuPage earned the No. 2 spot in the final poll of the regular season with an 8-2 record, including wins against three Division I opponents.  The Chaparrals bring one of the most dynamic offenses in the country into the national title game.  DuPage leads the nation in points per game (38.2), yards per game (452.5), passing touchdowns (28), and rushing yards per game (240.1).   Quarterback Gavin Sukup ranks fifth in the nation in passing TDs (15) and rushing TDs (6).  Receiver Matthew Brown is tied for fourth in the nation in receiving TDs with seven.  The Chaparral running back trio of Brian Trobel, Samson Zander, and Jaden McGill each average more than 44 yards per game.  Defensively, DuPage is led by Guy Goss and Michael Walker with 58 and 55 tackles this season respectively.  Sophomore Byron Puryear has added seven sacks for the Chaps. 

North Dakota SCS and DuPage last faced on October 19, 2013, when the Chaps defeated the Wildcats 12-7.

Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium has played host to the Red Grange Bowl since 2016.  

For all national championship updates, visit: 2022 NJCAA Division III Football Championship

Release and graphics courtesy of the NJCAA.