The Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks won their second Division III championship by defeating the Mount Union Purple Raiders, 38−28.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given to the most outstanding player in Division III football, was awarded to Blaine Westemeyer, offensive tackle from Augustana (IL).
[1] The 2009 NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs were the 37th annual single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division III college football.
[2] Twenty-three conferences met the requirements for an automatic ("Pool A") bid to the playoffs.
The ECFC and UMAC were in the first year of the two-year waiting period, while the ACFC and UAA failed to meet the seven-member requirement.