#6 Lenoir-Rhyne (11-0) vs Miles (9-2)
Saturday, November 23 – 2 p.m.
HICKORY, N.C.
Live Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lr/
Live Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lr/
Listen Live: http://www.wsvmradio.com/listen-online.html
Game Notes: https://lrbears.com/documents/2019/11/22/GameNotesMC.pdf
 

For the fifth time in program history, the Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team has advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Bears have only lost once in their first NCAA Playoff game, coming in 2014 at the hands of Valdosta St. but are 3-1 all-time in playoff openers.
 
Miles is a new foe, meeting LR for the first time ever. The Golden Bears are in the Playoffs for just the second time in team history and are coming off the most wins in a single season in their history.
 
The Bears enter this one as the No. 2 seed in Super Region Two and Miles enters as the No. 7 seed. The winner will take on the winner of Bowie State and Carson-Newman who kick off at 1 p.m.
 
The matchup will feature two of the better defenses in all of Division II and rushing yards will be at a premium. The Bears rank No. 6  in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game at 77.1 while Miles slots in at No. 11, allowing just 85.7 rushing yards per game.
 
Speaking of defense, the Golden Bears will be looking to slow down LR DE Jaquan Artis who was named the South Atlantic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year. Artis ranks ninth in the nation with 12 sacks and 12th in the nation with 19.5 tackles for loss.
 
On offense, QB Grayson Willingham was named to the First Team All-Conference and is having another outstanding season. Already the owner of the single season passing touchdown mark and the career touchdown record in program history, Willingham ranks third in the nation in passing efficiency at 183.7. The redshirt-junior also ranks sixth in Division II in passing yards per completion. Sophomore RB Ameen Stevens led the conference in rushing touchdowns with 12.
 
The Bears are 11-0 for just the third time in program history and rank No. 6 in both the AFCA Coaches Poll as well as the D2Football.com poll. LR is one of three South Atlantic Conference teams to advance to the NCAA Playoffs, joining Wingate and Carson-Newman.
 
Prior to the game, LR will be hosting a Food Drive in partner with the Boy Scouts of America. Fans are asked to bring: soups, beef stew, chili, meats, vegetables, fruits, pasta and dry goods for donation. Their will be collections outside the stadium's main entrance as well as the Bears Club Pavillion entrance.