NOTRE DAME COLLEGE AT VALDOSTA STATE

NCAA Division II national semifinal Noon, Dec. 8 Basmore-Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Ga. NDC 13-0, Valdosta State 12-0 ESPN3, Watch ESPN App

The winner plays either Ferris State or Minnesota State in the D-II national championship game on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. in McKinney, Texas.

NDC has played two down-to-the wire playoff games at home en route to the semifinal round, but must play on the road this week. … The NCAA re-seeds the final four teams, and the Falcons are the No. 4 seed with Valdosta State the No. 1. … NDC’s rushing defense ranks No. 5 nationally allowing just 74.2 yards per game. In its last five regular-season games, it allowed 9.8 points. In two playoff games, the D has allowed 31 points. … Marvelle Ross (VASJ) and Jaleel McLaughlin have combined for an NCAA record 4,314 all-purpose yards by two teammates in one season. McLaughlin became the first back in Mountain East Conference history to break 2,000 yards rushing, and Ross, also a standout punt returner with three return TDs, became the second individual to break 1,000 receiving yards. McLaughlin was named first-team AllAmerica by the American Football Coaches Association, and is one of nine finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the nation’s top player in D-II. … Ross said he and his teammates are excited about making history by advancing to a national semifinal but are staying grounded. The Falcons are without question big underdogs, but