Linfield downs Cortland State 38-22 in Div. III

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) - Backup quarterback Tommy Knecht threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third as No. 2 Linfield pulled away to a 38-22 victory over No. 25 Cortland State (N.Y.) in the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday.

The Wildcats (11-0) advance to the quarterfinals to face Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) on Dec. 5. Linfield is awaiting confirmation Sunday from the NCAA that it will host its third straight postseason game.

Knecht replaced Sam Riddle to start the third quarter with Linfield leading 14-10. Riddle, who was 17 of 19 passing for 172 yards and two touchdowns before hobbling off with an ankle injury, spent the second half with a walking boot on his right leg.

"I'm not really sure what the timetable is going to look like," said Riddle, the Northwest Conference offensive player of the year. "I don't know if I'll be able to play next week.

"I'm so happy that Tom came in for me like that. I'm proud of him, and he deserved it."

Knecht, a senior, finished 10 of 16 for 106 yards with an interception in his first extensive action of the season. His three touchdown drives followed Linfield interceptions by Mikey Arkans and Dylan Lewis, and a fourth-down stop by the Wildcat defense in Cortland State territory.

"Whenever your defense plays like that and you don't turn the ball over yourself," Linfield coach Joseph Smith said, "you're going to be pretty effective on offense."

Steven Ferreira passed for 232 yards and three touchdowns, two in the last two minutes, for the Dragons (9-3). He also had three interceptions after throwing only two all season.

Spencer Payne rushed 16 times for 89 yards and added six catches for 53 yards for Linfield, which reached 11 wins and the quarterfinal round for the fourth straight season.