GREENVILLE, Ill. - With a 47-21 victory against Minnesota Morris in what became the defacto UMAC conference championship game on Saturday afternoon, the Greenville football team clinched their first appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Greenville left little doubt in how the game would finish, taking immediate control with a 73 yard touchdown drive on the first possession of the game.  It was culminated by a 19 yard touchdown run by Paul Garrett.

Early in the second quarter, Greenville went ahead 13-0 following a 13 yard touchdown pass from Chase Butterfield to Delrey Crowder with 14:24 to go in the half.  Less than four minutes later, Butterfield ran the ball into the end zone from one yard out, and GU was on top 20-0.

Butterfield connected with Garrett on a 19 yard touchdown pass with 5:34 remaining in the half to put GU up 27-0.

Before the half ended, Morris and Greenville each added a touchdown, taking the score to 33-7 at halftime.  GU's final TD of the half was a 60 yard run by Garrett.

In the third quarter, the Cougars tightened the game to 33-21 with two touchdowns, but Garrett answered again with a touchdown at the end of the third quarter to make the score 39-21.  Greenville added a 15 yard touchdown run by Butterfield and a two-point conversation pass to Antonio Harris for the final margin of victory.

Greenville ended with 514 yards of total offense, outgaining Morris by 150 yards.

Garrett ran the ball 23 times for 227 yards, and Butterfield was 14-of-18 for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

Crowder was the leading receiver with five receptions for 82 yards.

GU's defense was led by 12 tackles from Greg Urbanc and 10 tackles by Lakari Benjamin.

Turjon McLaurin ended with two and a half quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.  Benjamin and Brandon Martin each had fumble recoveries.

The Panthers (8-2) will discover their NCAA playoff destination on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. when the NCAA presents their selection show.