List of NCAA Division II football championship appearances by team explained

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

Teams in bold participated in the 2023 postseason.
Updated through the 2023 national championship game, held on December 16, 2023

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

Not yet qualified

Conference	Team	Joined
style= colspan=8	NCAA Division II Football Championship appearances
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (4)	Bluefield State Big Blues	2021
	Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls	1973
	Lincoln (PA) Lions	2011
	Livingstone Blue Bears	1973
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 Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1)	Roosevelt Lakers	2024
Great Lakes Valley Conference (6)	Lincoln (MO) Blue Tigers	2001
	McKendree Bearcats	2012
	Missouri S&T Miners	1973
	Quincy Hawks	2012
	Upper Iowa Peacocks	2005
	William Jewell Cardinals	2012
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
Gulf South Conference (2)	Erskine Flying Fleet	2021
Independents (1)	Shorter Hawks	2012
Lone Star Conference (4)	Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds	1985
	Sul Ross Lobos	2024
	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 (4)	Franklin Pierce Ravens	2019
	Pace Setters	1993
	Post Eagles	2022
	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
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (2)	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)	Anderson Trojans	2024
	Barton Bulldogs	2021
	Emory and Henry Wasps	2021
		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

Teams in yellow are ineligible for the playoffs due to a transition to Division II.

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.

Appearances	First	Last	Wins	Losses	Total
6	2006	2011	3	6	9
1	1976	1976	2	1	3
2	1979	1989	1	2	3
1	1974	1974	0	1	1
1	1977	1977	0	1	1
3	1973	1975	1	3	4
2	2006	2007	0	2	2
3	1983	1991	0	3	3
3	1978	1990	4	2	6
1	1990	1990	0	1	1
2	2001	2005	2	2	4
1	1987	1987	1	1	1
1	1974	1974	3	0	3
5	1973	1979	7	4	11
2	1978	1980	5	1	6
1	1976	1976	0	1	1
1	1973	1973	1	1	2
3	1985	1993	1	3	4
10	1977	1992	15	9	24
3	1973	1977	3	2	5
2	2019	2021	1	2	3
6	2002	2018	3	6	9
2	1973	1974	4	1	5
1	1977	1977	1	1	2
1	2010	2010	1	1	2
1	2006	2006	1	1	2
1	1976	1976	3	0	3
1	1979	1979	0	1	1
10	1978	2008	2	10	12
2	1975	1976	1	2	3
1	1984	1984	0	1	1
21	1980	2016	35	18	53
3	1988	2006	1	3	4
14	1975	2007	18	13	31
17	1976	2000	30	12	42
1	1977	1977	0	1	1
9	1980	2002	12	7	19
1	1975	1975	0	1	1
4	2018	2022	5	4	9
8	1987	1995	12	8	20
1	2005	2005	0	1	1
1	1981	1981	0	1	1
1	1988	1988	2	1	3
1	1980	1980	1	1	2
4	1973	2006	4	4	8
1	1979	1979	0	1	1
5	2001	2019	4	5	9
1	1988	1988	1	1	2
8	1990	2019	11	7	18
3	1981	1983	6	1	7
3	1983	1986	1	3	4
3	1984	1987	7	1	2
18	1977	2002	15	18	33
2	1974	1976	1	2	3
9	1988	2021	6	8	12
1	1974	1974	0	1	1
1	1973	1973	0	1	1
2	1973	1975	4	2	6
3	2002	2005	2	3	5
3	1974	1979	3	3	6

Defunct programs

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
Azusa Pacific Cougars	2	2016	2018	0	2	2
Florida Tech Panthers	2	2016	2018	0	2	2
Humboldt State Lumberjacks	1	2015	2015	1	1	2
	5	1989	2013	4	5	9
Western Washington Vikings	1	1999	1999	0	1	1

Notes

Program changes

Program has since joined Division I FBS.
Program has since joined Division I FCS.
Program has since joined NCAA Division I but has dropped football.
Program has since joined Division III.
College has closed its doors.

References

Web site: Championships . 2019 Division I Football Records Book . NCAA.com . NCAA . 2019 . 23 November 2021 . PDF .

External links

Past winners