MSU, St. Thomas Headline Area NCAA Football Action

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Northern Sun conference champion Minnesota State has the weekend off. The Mavericks have extra time to rest before they host their first playoff game.

They'll play either Harding or Northwest Missouri State in Mankato on Nov. 24.

The unbeaten Mavericks are the top seed in their region, receiving one of eight byes in the NCAA Division II tournament. They would play at home until the national championship game in Florence, Ala., if they keep winning. This is their sixth postseason appearance. Their last win came in 1991.

Rival Minnesota Duluth plays a first-round game on Saturday at Missouri Western State.

In Division III, St. Thomas starts the 32-team field at home on Saturday against St. Norbert after reaching the semifinals last year. MIAC foe Bethel plays at Concordia of Chicago.