Welcome to the first edition of Dogwood Daily, where we'll break down facts, stats, matchups, and other fun items of note. This episode will cover today's conference championship games and the upcoming Ultimus.
- This is the first ever Ultimus matchup between the Yeti and SaberCats.
- The SaberCats have returned to the Ultimus for the first time since S15. The Yeti most recently appeared (and won) just two seasons ago.
- This is the third straight season where both conference championship games featured one one-possession game.
- This was the first time since S13 that a conference championship game featured a pair of teams with mascots not ending in s.
- For the first time since S20, both home teams won their conference championship games.
- The two winning teams teams are a combined 2-3 in the Ultimus (Yeti: 1-2; SaberCats: 1-1)
- Both teams who kicked field goals first lost their conference championship games.
- The two losing teams were out-rushed by a combined total of 388-120.
- The Sailfish were the only team to score in all four quarters.
- Three of the four teams had a tackler in double-digits (SaberCats)
- Neither conference championship game featured a 100 yard rusher.
- Both conference championship games were one-possession affairs entering the fourth quarter (17-17; 7-3)
- Three of the four players of the game were from the losing teams.
- Only one team completed more than 32% of their third downs (SJS - 64.7%)
- Michael Witheblock (SAR) led all receivers with 121 yards, while Jamar Lackson (SJS) led all rushers with 94 yards.
- The longest rush of either game was by Otters' QB Franklin Armstrong (25 yards).
- Both NSFC teams outgained the two ASFC teams, with Sarasota leading the way (416 yards).
- The longest touchdown in either game was 8 yards.
- The two winning teams had a combined one receiver with more than 42 yards.
- The upcoming Ultimus will be the first since S21 to feature a 9-win regular season team.
- This is the third straight year where a team east of Texas does not make the Ultimus.
- These were the lowest combined scoring conference championship games since S2.
- The S24 Ultimus will feature the first and third ranked QBs in terms of regular season passer rating.
- It will also be a matchup of the leagues two top punters in yards per punt.
- On the other side of the coin, it will also feature two of the leagues three worst field goal percentage kickers.
- Despite being out paced the SaberCats in regular season tackles for loss (33-30), the Yeti have the huge edge in sacks (60-37).
- And this Ultimus will be a matchup of two of the three teams who had a punt return TD but not a kick return TD in the regular season.
- Congratulations to the SaberCats and Yeti and best of luck to both teams!