Benedict College & Virginia Union have made the 2023 NCAA Division II Playoffs, per an announcement on NCAA.com's selection show. Benedict has been ranked as the top team in Super Region II so they will receive a bye in the opening round and will play the winner of the Lenoir-Rhyne (10-1) vs. Shepherd (9-2) matchup.

Benedict College had a resounding season in the SIAC. They went undefeated in the conference for the second year in a row, boasting the best scoring defense in Division II football as they hold opponents to 8.45 points per game. They beat Albany State 47-10 in the SIAC Championship held in Atlanta, Georiga on Saturday.

They also had an impressive out-of-conference record, beating Shaw University 52-0 in Week 1 as well as GSC newcomer Chowan University 31-3. Benedict looks to avenge their 23-6 loss to Wingate University in the 2022 playoffs.

Virginia Union also had another phenomenal season, even despite the injury to star running back Jada Byers. They started the season with a dominant win against struggling Morehouse College and went on to have resounding wins over Shaw University and Livingstone.

They lost to Fayetteville State in a low-scoring 10-7 contest in Week 4 minus Byers. However, they managed to win six straight games heading into the CIAA Championship including a 30-20 victory over red-hot Virginia State University. They beat Fayetteville State 21-10 in the CIAA Championship on Saturday.

As Benedict awaits their opponent, Virginia Union will play Kutztown (9-2). Although Virginia Union is a team in Super Region II, because of travel they are in the Super Region I bracket playing the third-ranked Golden Bears.

Benedict & Virginia Union's Opponents

Benedict & Virginia Union's path to a deep run in the NCAA Division II Playoffs won't be easy. Both of Benedict's possible opponents are formidable teams that will give the Tigers their biggest challenge of the season.

Lenoir-Rhyne had a phenomenal season in the SAC, finishing the year 10-1 with their only loss coming to Wingate University 34-30 in Week 9. They are a traditional Division II superpower that boasts similar statistics to Benedict. They average 38 points per game and hold opposing offenses to 10 points per game. They have a balanced offense, averaging 212 yards rushing and 215 yards passing.

Shepard University is also a formidable playoff foe, finishing the year 9-2 in the PSAC. Their two losses were to Kutztown 20-3, the opening-round opponent for Virginia Union,  and Bloomsburg 14-10. Shepard doesn't have as stout of a defense as Benedict or Lenoir-Rhyne, allowing 21 points per game and 216 passing yards a game. However, they've shown a proficiency to score, averaging 253 yards per game and 32 points a game.

Meanwhile, Virginia Union will face Kutztown, who finished the season 9-2 out the PSAC. Their two losses came to #23 ranked Assumption 31-20 and California (Pennsylvania) 31-20 in the first two weeks of the season. Since then, they rattled off nine straight victories including a 31-7 win over #4 Slippery Rock in the PSAC Championship.

Kutztown boasts a stout run defense, only giving up 83.5 yards rushing this season and they've only allowed six rushing touchdowns. This will be an interesting opponent for the Virginia Union Panthers to face as they feature a run-heavy offense built around Jada Byers.

Virginia Union will travel to play Kutztown on Saturday at a time to be announced. Meanwhile, Benedict will await the winner of Lenoir-Rhyne & Shepard and they will travel to play Benedict on Thanksgiving Saturday.