The list of team that have participated in the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs. The NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs began with eight teams in 1973 and expanded to include 16 teams in 1988, 24 teams in 2004, and 28 teams in 2015.

Current Division II members

Qualified teams

NCAA Division II Football Championship appearances
Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Total games Pct.
Albany State Golden Rams 14 1993 2021 3 14 17 .176
American International Yellow Jackets 2 2008 2013 0 2 2 .000
Angelo State Rams 8 1987 2022 7 8 15 .467
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys 3 1999 2009 2 3 5 .500
Ashland Eagles 8 1986 2022 3 8 11 .273
Assumption Greyhounds 4 2015 2022 3 4 7 .429
Augustana (SD) Vikings 7 1988 2023 2 7 9 .222
Bemidji State Beavers 3 2021 2023 3 3 6 .500
Benedict Tigers 2 2022 2023 0 2 2 .000
Bentley Falcons 3 2003 2021 0 3 3 .000
Bloomsburg Huskies 11 1985 2014 9 11 20 .450
Bowie State Bulldogs 6 1988 2021 3 6 9 .333
California (PA) Vulcans 7 2007 2017 7 7 14 .500
Carson–Newman Eagles 16 1993 2019 20 16 36 .556
Catawba Indians 7 1999 2015 5 7 12 .417
Central Missouri Mules 5 2002 2023 4 5 9 .444
Central Oklahoma Bronchos 4 1996 2003 3 4 7 .429
Central State Marauders 4 1983 1986 3 4 7 .429
Central Washington Wildcats 7 2002 2023 5 7 12 .417
Chadron State Eagles 8 1996 2012 3 8 11 .273
Charleston Golden Eagles 2 2015 2023 1 2 3 .333
Clarion Golden Eagles 1 1996 1996 2 1 3 .667
Colorado Mesa Mavericks 4 2000 2016 1 4 5 .200
Colorado Mines Orediggers 9 2004 2023 12 9 21 .571
CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves 9 2011 2022 9 7 16 .563
Concord (WV) Mountain Lions 2 2011 2014 2 2 4 .500
Davenport Panthers 1 2022 2022 0 1 1 .000
Delta State Statesmen 11 1998 2023 17 10 27 .630
East Stroudsburg Warriors 5 1991 2023 4 5 9 .444
Edinboro Fighting Scots 8 1989 2009 3 8 11 .273
Elizabeth City State Vikings 3 1981 2011 0 3 3 .000
Emporia State Hornets 4 2003 2016 3 3 6 .500
Fairmont State Falcons 1 2016 2016 0 1 1 .000
Fayetteville State Broncos 4 2002 2022 0 4 4 .000
Findlay Oilers 2 2017 2021 1 2 3 .333
Ferris State Bulldogs 14 1992 2023 26 12 38 .684
Fort Hays State Tigers 4 1993 2018 0 4 4 .000
Fort Valley State Wildcats 6 1982 2012 1 6 7 .143
Glenville State Pioneers 1 1997 1997 0 1 1 .000
Grand Valley State Lakers 22 1989 2023 38 17 55 .691
Harding Bisons 6 2012 2023 10 7 17 .588
Henderson State Reddies 4 2012 2023 1 4 5 .200
Hillsdale Chargers 3 2009 2018 2 3 5 .400
Indiana (PA) Crimson Hawks 19 1987 2022 22 19 41 .537
Indianapolis Greyhounds 8 2012 2023 2 8 10 .200
Kutztown Golden Bears 6 2010 2023 6 6 12 .500
Lenoir–Rhyne Bears 7 2012 2023 10 7 17 .588
Limestone Saints 2 2022 2023 0 2 2 .000
Mars Hill Lions 1 2011 2011 0 1 1 .000
Mercyhurst Lakers 1 2010 2010 1 1 2 .500
Michigan Tech Huskies 2 2004 2014 0 2 2 .000
Midwestern State Mustangs 8 2004 2017 2 8 10 .200
Miles Golden Bears 2 2012 2019 0 2 2 .000
Millersville Marauders 3 2002 2005 2 3 5 .400
Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs 12 2002 2021 14 10 24 .583
Minnesota State–Mankato Mavericks 14 1987 2023 15 14 29 .517
Mississippi College Choctaws 5 1979 1991 8 4 12 .667
Missouri Southern Lions 1 1993 1993 0 1 1 .000
Missouri Western Griffons 4 2006 2012 2 4 6 .333
Morehouse Maroon Tigers 1 2010 2010 0 1 1 .000
Nebraska–Kearney Lopers 5 2002 2021 2 5 7 .286
Newberry Wolves 5 2006 2021 2 5 7 .286
New Haven Chargers 9 1992 2023 10 10 20 .500
UNC Pembroke Braves 3 2009 2016 1 3 4 .250
North Greenville Crusaders 4 2011 2016 4 4 8 .500
Northeastern State RiverHawks 2 1999 2000 2 2 4 .500
Northern Michigan Wildcats 7 1975 1987 6 6 12 .500
Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 26 1984 2022 53 20 73 .726
Northwood Timberwolves 4 2000 2006 1 4 5 .200
Notre Dame Falcons 4 2018 2022 5 4 9 .556
Ohio Dominican Panthers 2 2013 2014 2 2 4 .500
Ouachita Baptist Tigers 5 2014 2022 1 5 6 .167
Pittsburg State Gorillas 20 1989 2023 27 18 45 .600
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 8 2000 2013 4 8 12 .333
Savannah State Tigers 1 1992 1992 0 1 1 .000
Seton Hill Griffins 1 2008 2008 1 1 2 .500
Shaw Bears 2 2007 2010 0 2 2 .000
Shepherd Rams 15 1998 2023 18 14 32 .563
Shippensburg Red Raiders 6 1981 2017 3 6 9 .333
Sioux Falls Cougars 4 2015 2019 1 4 5 .200
Slippery Rock 11 1997 2023 12 10 22 .545
Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm 1 2004 2004 0 1 1 .000
Southern Arkansas Muleriders 2 1997 2003 0 2 2 .000
Southern Connecticut State Fighting Owls 4 2005 2008 1 4 5 .200
Southwest Baptist Bearcats 1 2016 2016 0 1 1 .000
Texas–Permian Basin Falcons 1 2023 2023 0 1 1 .000
Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas 15 1988 2010 17 15 32 .531
Tiffin Dragons 2 2019 2023 0 2 2 .000
Truman State Bulldogs 4 1982 1994 0 4 4 .000
Tusculum Pioneers 1 2008 2008 1 1 2 .500
Tuskegee Golden Tigers 4 2013 2016 3 3 6 .500
Valdosta State Blazers 19 1994 2023 31 15 46 .674
Virginia State Trojans 2 2014 2017 1 2 3 .333
Virginia Union Panthers 11 1979 2023 0 11 11 .000
Washburn Ichabods 4 2005 2021 1 4 5 .200
Wayne State (MI) Warriors 1 2011 2011 4 1 5 .800
Wayne State (NE) Wildcats 2 1982 2022 0 2 2 .000
West Alabama Tigers 6 1975 2018 4 6 10 .400
West Chester Golden Rams 14 1988 2019 10 14 24 .417
West Georgia Wolves 9 1988 2021 6 8 12 .429
West Liberty Hilltoppers 1 2009 2009 1 1 2 .500
West Texas A&M Buffaloes 7 2005 2013 8 7 15 .533
Western Colorado Mountaineers 5 1992 2023 0 5 5 .000
West Florida Argonauts 5 2017 2023 12 4 15 .750
Wingate Bulldogs 5 2010 2022 4 5 9 .444
Winona State Warriors 7 2001 2022 1 7 8 .125
Winston-Salem State Rams 9 1978 2016 7 9 15 .438

Not yet qualified

NCAA Division II Football Championship appearances
Conference[a] Team Joined
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (5) Bluefield State Big Blues 2021
Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls 1973
Lincoln (PA) Lions 2011
Livingstone Blue Bears 1973
Saint Augustine's Falcons 2003
Great American Conference (6) Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils 1997
East Central Tigers 1998
Northwestern Oklahoma Rangers 2012
Oklahoma Baptist Bison 2015
Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm 2012
Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs 1998
Great Lakes Valley Conference (5) McKendree Bearcats 2012
Missouri S&T Miners 1973
Quincy Hawks 2012
Upper Iowa Peacocks 2005
William Jewell Cardinals 2012
Independents (2) Lincoln (MO) Blue Tigers 2001
Post Eagles 2022
Great Midwest Athletic Conference (4) Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers 1993
Lake Erie Storm 2010
Thomas More Saints 2023
Walsh Cavaliers 2012
Gulf South Conference (2) Chowan Hawks 2007
Shorter Hawks 2012
Lone Star Conference (3) Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 1985
Western New Mexico Mustangs 1994
Western Oregon Wolves 2001
Mountain East Conference (4) Frostburg State Bobcats 2019
West Virginia State Yellow Jackets 1997
West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats 1993
Wheeling Cardinals 2019
Northeast 10 Conference (3) Franklin Pierce Ravens 2019
Pace Setters 1993
Saint Anselm Hawks 1999
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (6) Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears 2002
Mary Marauders 2007
Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons 1978
Minot State Beavers 2011
Northern State Wolves 2000
Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 1993
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (2) Gannon Golden Knights 1993
Lock Haven Bald Eagles 1980
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (5) Adams State Grizzlies 1990
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets 2011
Fort Lewis Skyhawks 1990
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys 1991
South Dakota Mines Hardrockers 2011
South Atlantic Conference (4) Barton Bulldogs 2021
Emory and Henry Wasps 2021
Erskine Flying Fleet 2021
UVA Wise Cavaliers 2013
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (5) Allen Yellow Jackets 2021
Clark Atlanta Panthers 1980
Edward Waters Tigers 2021
Kentucky State Thorobreds 1973
Lane Dragons 1993

Former NCAA Division II members

Former NCAA Division II teams that sponsored football at D-II level and had made at least one appearance in playoffs but had left NCAA Division II.

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Total Pct.
Abilene Christian Wildcats [FCS] 6 2006 2011 3 6 9 .333
Akron Zips [FBS] 1 1976 1976 2 1 3 .667
Alabama A&M Bulldogs [FCS] 2 1979 1989 1 2 3 .333
Alcorn State Braves [FCS] 1 1974 1974 0 1 1 .000
Bethune–Cookman Wildcats [FCS] 1 1977 1977 0 1 1 .000
Boise State Broncos [FBS] 3 1973 1975 1 3 4 .250
Bryant Bulldogs [FCS] 2 2006 2007 0 2 2 .000
Butler Bulldogs [FCS] 3 1983 1991 0 3 3 .000
Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo Mustangs [FCS] 3 1978 1990 4 2 6 .667
Cal State Northridge Matadors [D1] 1 1990 1990 0 1 1 .000
Central Arkansas Bears [FCS] 2 2001 2005 2 2 4 .500
UCF Knights [FBS] 1 1987 1987 1 1 1 .500
Central Michigan Chippewas [FBS] 1 1974 1974 3 0 3 1.000
Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens [FCS][b] 5 1973 1979 7 4 11 .636
Eastern Illinois Panthers [FCS] 2 1978 1980 5 1 6 .833
Eastern Kentucky Colonels [FCS] 1 1976 1976 0 1 1 .000
Grambling State Tigers [FCS] 1 1973 1973 1 1 2 .500
Hampton Pirates [FCS] 3 1985 1993 1 3 4 .250
Jacksonville State Gamecocks [FBS] 10 1977 1992 15 9 24 .625
Lehigh Mountain Hawks [FCS] 3 1973 1977 3 2 5 .600
Lindenwood Lions [FCS] 2 2019 2021 1 2 3 .333
LIU Post Pioneers [FCS] [c] 6 2002 2018 3 6 9 .333
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs [FBS] 2 1973 1974 4 1 5 .800
Massachusetts Minutemen [FBS] 1 1977 1977 1 1 2 .500
Merrimack Warriors [FCS] 1 2006 2006 1 1 2 .500
Montana State Bobcats [FCS] 1 1976 1976 3 0 3 1.000
Morgan State Bears [FCS] 1 1979 1979 0 1 1 .000
Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks [D1][d] 10 1978 2008 2 10 12 .167
New Hampshire Wildcats [FCS] 2 1975 1976 1 2 3 .333
Norfolk State Spartans [FCS] 1 1984 1984 0 1 1 .000
North Alabama Lions [FCS] 21 1980 2016 35 18 53 .660
North Carolina Central Eagles [FCS] 3 1988 2006 1 3 4 .250
North Dakota Fighting Sioux [FCS][e] 14 1975 2007 18 13 31 .581
North Dakota State Bison [FCS] 17 1976 2000 30 12 42 .714
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks [FCS] 1 1977 1977 0 1 1 .000
Northern Colorado Bears [FCS] 9 1980 2002 12 7 19 .632
Northern Iowa Panthers [FCS] 1 1975 1975 0 1 1 .000
Portland State Vikings [FCS] 8 1987 1995 12 8 20 .600
Presbyterian Blue Hose [FCS] 1 2005 2005 0 1 1 .000
Puget Sound Loggers [D3] 1 1981 1981 0 1 1 .000
Sacramento State Hornets [FCS] 1 1988 1988 2 1 3 .667
Santa Clara Broncos [D1] 1 1980 1980 1 1 2 .500
South Dakota Coyotes [FCS] 4 1973 2006 4 4 8 .500
South Dakota State Jackrabbits [FCS] 1 1979 1979 0 1 1 .000
Tarleton State Texans [FCS][f] 5 2001 2019 4 5 9 .444
Tennessee–Martin Skyhawks [FCS][g] 1 1988 1988 1 1 2 .500
Texas A&M–Commerce Lions [FCS] 8 1990 2019 11 7 18 .611
Texas State Bobcats [FBS] 3 1981 1983 6 1 7 .857
Towson Tigers [FCS] 3 1983 1986 1 3 4 .250
Troy Trojans [FBS] 3 1984 1987 7 1 2 .875
UC Davis Aggies [FCS] 18 1977 2002 15 18 33 .455
UNLV Rebels [FBS] 2 1974 1976 1 2 3 .333
Western Carolina Catamounts [FCS] 1 1974 1974 0 1 1 .000
Western Illinois Leathernecks [FCS] 1 1973 1973 0 1 1 .000
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers [FBS] 2 1973 1975 4 2 6 .667
Wofford Terriers [FCS] 3 2002 2005 2 3 5 .400
Youngstown State Penguins [FCS] 3 1974 1979 3 3 6 .500

Defunct programs

Currently NCAA Division II teams that sponsored football at D-II level and had made at least one appearance in playoffs but dropped their football programs.

Team Appearances First Last Wins Losses Total Pct.
Azusa Pacific Cougars 2 2016 2018 0 2 2 .000
Florida Tech Panthers 2 2016 2018 0 2 2 .000
Humboldt State Lumberjacks[h] 1 2015 2015 1 1 2 .500
St. Cloud State Huskies 5 1989 2013 4 5 9 .444
Western Washington Vikings 1 1999 1999 0 1 1 .000

Notes

  1. ^ According to conferences in football, not necessarily a team's primary conference.
  2. ^ Delaware will move to FBS in 2025.
  3. ^ After the 2018–19 school year, Long Island University merged the athletic programs of its two campuses—Division I LIU Brooklyn and Division II LIU Post—into a single Division I program under the LIU name. All varsity sports previously sponsored by either campus continued to be sponsored by the new LIU program, which inherited LIU Brooklyn's Division I and Northeast Conference memberships. The new nickname of Sharks was announced on May 15, 2019.[1][2]
  4. ^ The athletic program rebranded itself as the Omaha Mavericks after dropping football.
  5. ^ North Dakota changed its nickname to Fighting Hawks in 2015, several years after it moved to FCS.
  6. ^ The program was branded as "Tarleton State" during its entire Division II tenure. The word "State" was dropped from the athletic branding, but not the university name, when the program moved to Division I. Most outlets have yet to adopt this change.
  7. ^ The program changed its brand to "UT Martin" several years after moving to Division I. The university name has not changed.
  8. ^ The university changed its name to California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in January 2022, well after football was dropped. The athletic program is now known as the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks.

Program changes

See also

References

  1. ^ "Long Island University Announces Unification Into One LIU Division I Program" (Press release). LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  2. ^ "Welcome to the Shark Tank: Long Island University Chooses the Shark as New Mascot" (Press release). Long Island University. May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.

External links

NCAA Division II football
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