Fast Break
College football
Pirates denied spot in playoffs
The Whitworth Pirates thought they’d done enough to merit an NCAA Division III football playoff bid. The selection committee thought differently.
The two-time defending Northwest Conference champion Pirates (8-2, 6-0 NWC) were left out when the D-III playoff pairings were announced Sunday morning.
It’s been well documented that the NWC won’t receive an automatic bid until next season, when Menlo completes its probationary period. However, history seemed to be on Whitworth’s side. The Pirates had just one D-III loss to Redlands, which went on to win the SCIAC and qualify for the playoffs. Their only other loss was to NAIA Azusa Pacific.
It’s the first time the NWC champion hasn’t received a berth since joining NCAA D-III as a full member in 1998. Additionally, NWC teams are 18-10 in the playoffs with Pacific Lutheran (1999) and Linfield (2004) claiming national championships.
“I am most disappointed for our seniors,” Whitworth coach John Tully (pictured above) said in a university press release. “They have worked so hard this year and they will be very sad to find out our season is over.”
Whitworth, which went 1-1 in the playoffs last season, was competing for one of three Pool B berths. Those berths went to Case Western Reserve (10-0), Wesley (9-1) and Salisbury (9-1). Under the selection criteria, the Pirates were then considered for one of seven Pool C berths, but they were passed over there, too. Four Pool C bids went to schools with two in-region losses, compared to Whitworth’s one. In-region losses are a primary selection criteria for the committee.
Wisconsin-Eau Claire (8-2) jumped past Whitworth in the final west region rankings. UW-Eau Claire’s strength-of-schedule rating was slightly better (108) than Whitworth’s (121), according to D3football.com.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Cougars topple No. 4 USC
Sophomore Carly Dobratz netted the game-winner in the second half to lift Washington State to a 2-1 victory over fourth-ranked Southern California in a Pac-10 matchup at Pullman.
In defeating the Trojans (14-3-2, 6-2-1 Pac-10), the Cougars (11-5-3, 4-4-1) broke a 13-match losing streak against top-five opponents. It was the Cougars’ third straight home victory over USC.
The Cougars will find out today if they are selected for the NCAA tournament.
NFL
Sunday’s results
Bills 13, Dolphins 10
Rams 37, Saints 29
Broncos 27, Chiefs 11
Packers 34, Vikings 0
Steelers 31, Browns 28
Jaguars 28, Titans 13
Eagles 33, Redskins 25
Falcons 20, Panthers 13
Bengals 21, Ravens 7
Bears 17, Raiders 6
Cowboys 31, Giants 20
Cardinals 31, Lions 21
Chargers 23, Colts 21