HICKORY, N.C. -- Saturday afternoon, Lenoir-Rhyne will be in Georgia to face Valdosta State in the third round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.

  • The Bears (12-1) are coming off a 21-17 win over South Atlantic Conference foe Wingate last week to advance to face the Blazers
  • While the team is hesitant to admit that even they're surprised at their success, they did think the turnaround was bound to happen.
  • Lenoir-Rhyne kicks off against Valdosta State at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Bears (12-1) are coming off a 21-17 win over South Atlantic Conference foe Wingate last week to advance to face the Blazers, who are undefeated (11-0), ranked third nationally and average 53 points per game.

However, Lenoir-Rhyne Head Coach Drew Cronic is confident in his team.

"I think we're really good on defense," Cronic said. Adding, "And I think they (Valdosta State) haven't seen a team as good as us on defense."

Cronic is in his first year as head coach of the Bears who were coming off a three win season in 2017. While the team is hesitant to admit that even they're surprised at their success, they did think the turnaround was bound to happen.

"I knew our guys could do it. It was about buying in," said senior receiver T.J. Smith. "Buying into the program, to the system. That's the main thing and I'm surprised that we did it that fast."

Lenoir-Rhyne kicks off against Valdosta State at 1 p.m. Saturday.