Cal Lutheran-Linfield to Battle in First Round of NCAA Football Playoffs

Kingsmen look to avenge '09 loss, repeat '10 victory

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 10:00 am

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - With a majority of the Cal Lutheran football team and coaching staff gathered at Richter Hall on the CLU campus, the group witnessed the release of the 2010 NCAA Division III Football Tournament bracket. The Kingsmen earned the No. 4 seed and will head up to play No. 5 Linfield on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Noon in the first round.

Bracket: 2010 NCAA D-III Football Championships



"When we scheduled (Linfield) we had it in mind that we would likely play them twice," said CLU Head Coach Ben McEnroe immediately following the conclusion of Sunday's announcement show. "There are no surprises this time. We have been through this before and know what to expect."

In 2009 Cal Lutheran headed up to Linfield in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs, dropping a 38-17 decision to the Wildcats. In the team's previous meeting the Kingsmen won a 47-42 decision over the Wildcats in Thousand Oaks during their season opener back on Sept. 11.

Cal Lutheran earned the automatic bid after clinching back-to-back outright Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) titles following its 24-0 victory over Occidental on Nov. 13.

Linfield did likewise in the Northwest Conference (NWC) going undefeated in league play after defeating Lewis & Clark 52-0 on the road this past Saturday.

The winner will move on to face the winner between No. 1 St. Thomas and No. 8 Benedictine in the second round on Saturday, Nov. 27.