COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM OCTOBER 5TH

THE GORILLAS RULE THE WORLD – Call it Rise of the Planet of the Gorillas or whatever else you might like. Yesterday NCAA Division Two’s PITTSBURG (KS) STATE UNIVERSITY GORILLAS played host to NCAA Division ONE’s Abilene Christian University Wildcats and pulled off the upset! In what was one of the tightest and hardest-fought games of the day Gus the Gorilla’s team came out on top in the end by a score of 28-20.

NUMBER THREE TAKES A FALL – The 4th ranked GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS were on the road against the number 3 team in the nation, the SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS. This was the marquis matchup yesterday in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) but the Cougars seemed determined to give the game away with no less than FIVE turnovers. That inability to hold onto the ball helped fuel GVU’s 48-21 upset victory.

NUMBER ONE TAKES A FALL – Meanwhile down at the CCCAA level of college football, the AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE BEAVERS handed a rare defeat to the homestanding and top-ranked CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO RAMS. Even more surprising for fans of the storied CCSF football program was the sheer one-sidedness of the game. The final score in this humiliating smackdown was Beavers 34  Rams 13.  

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION – The defending national champions of NAIA college football, the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS, at last bounced back from the three-game losing streak that caused them to topple from the rankings. The Knights were visited by the number 23 ROBERT MORRIS (IL) EAGLES and defeated them in a thrilling 21-19 game for the ages. The Knights are now 2-3, the Eagles 4-2.  

OTHER TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA – The unranked FAULKNER UNIVERSITY EAGLES welcomed the 5th ranked and perennially overrated GEORGETOWN COLLEGE (KY) TIGERS football team and crushed them by a score of 55-31   ###   The NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY PRAIRIE WOLVES won a nailbiting 20-19 homestand against the number 13 DOANE TIGERS   ###   And the EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS logged their 2nd win of the 2013 season by sending the (21) MONTANA WESTERN BULLDOGS home with a 20-0 butt-kicking.     

TOP 25 UPSETS – D3 – Believe it or not there were no upsets in the D2 Top 25 so we’ll jump straight to D3. The METHODIST UNIVERSITY MONARCHS upset the visiting number 22 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS in a tight 24-21 affair   ###   … And the unranked LYCOMING COLLEGE WARRIORS welcomed the 21st ranked DELAWARE VALLEY AGGIES and toppled them by an equally tight 19-16 score.   

MORE CLASHES BETWEEN RANKED TEAMS – NAIA – The number 2 team in the nation, the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS, edged the visiting 14th ranked LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS in a 52-45 shootout   ###   The 6th ranked UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS notched a 28-17 road victory over the number 25 SIENA HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY SAINTS.     

AND YET STILL MORE CLASHES BETWEEN RANKED TEAMS – NAIA – Meanwhile the 11th ranked SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY FIGHTING BEES clashed with the homestanding and 22nd ranked WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN. The Fighting Bees handed an authoritative 53-34 beating to the Statesmen   ###   And the number 16 ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS held serve against the 19th ranked MONTANA STATE-NORTHERN LIGHTS 23-13.  

WHEN RANKED TEAMS COLLIDE – NCAA DIVISION TWO – There was just one meeting between ranked teams in D2 yesterday. The number 8 team in the nation, the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH BULLDOGS played host to the 23rd ranked SAINT CLOUD STATE HUSKIES. The Bulldogs completely outclassed the Huskies on both sides of the ball in this dogfight and sent them home reeling from a 34-7 smackdown.  

WHEN RANKED TEAMS COLLIDE- NCAA DIVISION THREE – As in D2 there was only one meeting between ranked teams in D3 yesterday. This battle of West Coast juggernauts saw the number 2 team in the nation, the LINFIELD COLLEGE WILDCATS, welcomed the 11th ranked PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY LUTES. The Wildcats played the Lutes like a – well, like a Lute – as they crushed them 29-0.   

HAPPY HOMECOMINGS – Among the Homecoming Games yesterday that saw the home team victorious: The (15) TABOR COLLEGE BLUE JAYS resumed their gridiron dominance of late by thrashing the SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS 42-3   ###   The (21) BAKER WILDCATS defeated the MIDAMERICA NAZARENE PIONEERS by a score of 37-20   ###   And the (18) VALLEY CITY STATE VIKINGS topped the PRESENTATION COLLEGE SAINTS 31-17.   

UNHAPPY HOMECOMINGS – Homecomings ruined by the visiting team: The (10) OTTAWA (KS) UNIVERSITY BRAVES kicked around the MCPHERSON BULLDOGS to the tune of 34-7   ###   Meanwhile the STERLING COLLEGE WARRIORS simultaneously ruined both Homecoming and Hyliningsfest for the BETHANY COLLEGE SWEDES by doubling up on them 54-27   ###   And the REINHARDT EAGLES are still wowing in their debut season of intercollegiate football, improving to 4-2 by edging the UNION (KY) BULLDOGS in a 21-18 Instant Classic.

A DOUBLE SHOT OF THAT OT LOVE – The ALFRED UNIVERSITY SAXONS went all the way to Double Overtime in their game with the visiting BUFFALO STATE BENGALS before a winner was determined. The Saxons came out of this gridiron marathon with a 39-33 triumph   ###   And the KING’S COLLEGE MONARCHS played road warriors in their 41-40 Double Overtime victory over the MISERICORDIA COUGARS.

THE CLOSEST OF CLOSE SHAVES – The MINNESOTA STATE-MOORHEAD DRAGONS traveled to face the NORTHERN STATE WOLVES and went home with a tight 47-46 shootout victory   ###   The ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY VIKINGS won 26-25 at the ST AUGUSTINE’S FALCONS   ###   And the LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS complete this look at one-point road wins with their 28-27 triumph over the STILLMAN TIGERS.  

AND THE AVENGERS KEEP ROLLING ALONG – The ever-tough ASA COLLEGE AVENGERS logged their third win in a row so far this season. In yesterday’s action the Avengers (how cool is that name) were on the road against the DEAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS. The gridiron pride of New York City, ASA College completely dominated the Bulldogs (one of the most over-used nicknames in college sports) in a 55-17 laugher.  

OUR DIVISION CAN BEAT UP YOUR DIVISION – Balladeer’s Blog chronicles the intense football rivalry between the NAIA and NCAA Division 3. Yesterday there was only one game played between an NAIA team and a D3 team. That matchup was between the NAIA’s MAYVILLE STATE COMETS and D3’s MACALESTER COLLEGE SCOTS. The Comets played road warriors and took down the Scots 26-18. mo   

NO, NOT THE FRENCH CONNECTION – THE CRIMSON CONNECTION – Yesterday saw the Crimson Connection game between the visiting BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY CHARGERS and the HASTINGS COLLEGE BRONCOS. These two rivals from the Great Plains Athletic Conference played blow for blow for 4 bone-shattering Quarters before the Chargers walked away with a 12-7 victory.

WORKING OVERTIME – Four Quarters wasn’t enough for these teams: The CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS defeated the visiting UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE BEARS in Overtime by a score of 49-42   ###   The FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY BRONCOS won a 35-29 homestand in the extra session against the CHOWAN HAWKS   ###   The OLIVET COLLEGE COMETS notched a 20-13 road win over the ALMA SCOTS in OT   ###   And the CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE COMETS likewise won on the road in OT. The Comets topped the SACRAMENTO PANTHERS 35-28.   

UNDER THE RADAR CLASSICS – NAIA – The EVANGEL UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS survived an invasion by the CULVER STOCKTON COLLEGE WILDCATS by a score of 34-28   ###   Meanwhile the MENLO COLLEGE OAKS won a 30-22 road game against the BELLEVILLE LYNX   ###   And the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY SPIRES defeated the BETHEL (KS) THRESHERS 45-37 in their own house.  

UNDER THE RADAR CLASSICS – D2 – The AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY COUGARS notched a 34-32 road win over the WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY WOLVES   ###   The VIRGINIA UNION PANTHERS toppled the homestanding LIVINGSTONE BLUE BEARS 32-25   ###   And the TIFFIN UNIVERSITY DRAGONS held serve against the MALONE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS by a score of 34-30.

UNDER THE RADAR CLASSICS – D3 – The KENYON LORDS traveled to face the OBERLIN COLLEGE YEOMEN and defeated them 21-14   ###   Meanwhile the FRAMINGHAM STATE RAMS withstood a 21-14 invasion from the MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH CORSAIRS   ###   And the BOWDOIN POLAR BEARS played road warriors by handing the TUFTS JUMBOS a tight 13-10 loss.

UNDER THE RADAR CLASSICS – NJCAA – The DAKOTA COLLEGE AT BOTTINEAU LUMBERJACKS traveled to face the NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE WILDCATS and eked out a nailbiting 14-13 victory   ###   The EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE GILA MONSTERS kept their mojo going with a 35-28 win over the visiting SNOW COLLEGE BADGERS   ###   And the MESA COLLEGE THUNDERBIRDS survived a 27-21 homestand against the PHOENIX COLLEGE BEARS.  

UNDER THE RADAR CLASSICS – CCCAA – The SADDLEBACK COLLEGE GAUCHOS won at the SANTA ANA COLLEGE DONS in a tight 21-15 result   ###   Meanwhile the CABRILLO COLLEGE SEAHAWKS defeated the homestanding COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS CORSAIRS 56-49   ###   And the GAVILAN COLLEGE RAMS won a 61-55 Overtime duel with the visiting WEST HILLS FALCONS.  

SAFETY FIRST – Okay, the title of this segment is just a little something for all the Harold Lloyd fans out there. Yesterday the WALDORF COLLEGE WARRIORS were on the road against the TRINITY BIBLE COLLEGE LIONS. The Warriors’ defense got a technical shutout yesterday since the only points that the Lions put on the board came from the Waldorf offense giving up a safety. The final score was Warriors 13  Lions 2.  

A DIFFERENT KIND OF RANKED TEAMS – The CURRY COLLEGE COLONELS won a very tight road clash with the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERS by a score of 26-21.   ###   … And the MILLSAPS COLLEGE MAJORS had a much easier time against  the visiting HENDRIX UNIVERSITY WARRIORS. The Majors defeated the Warriors by a score of 48-37.  

TROJANS AND TIGERS AND PARALLEL UNIVERSES – The TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TROJANS won a 20-17 homestand against the OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY TIGERS   ###   Meanwhile in another dimension two other teams called Trojans and Tigers reversed the outcome of that game. The DAKOTA WESLEYAN TIGERS won on the road against the DAKOTA STATE TROJANS by a score of 23-14.  

VARYING DEGREES OF BLOWOUTS – The DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS rose up for their first win of 2013 and trashed the visiting JAMESTOWN COLLEGE JIMMIES by a score of 27-7   ###   The (8) MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS looted and pillaged the CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY EAGLES 48-17   ###   And the BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS mauled the BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLING RAMS 41-25.      

“A BENTLEY … A BENTLEY … A BENTLEY!” – With apologies to all of you Russ Meyer enthusiasts. Yesterday saw the BENTLEY UNIVERSITY FALCONS collide with the SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE HAWKS. Bentley led 16-14 at halftime but late in the 4th Quarter trailed the Hawks by a score of 27-26. Falcons QB “Dangerous” Danny Guadagnoli rushed for a go-ahead touchdown with 2:42 left in the game. Bentley won 32-27.

WRANGLING A VICTORY – Yesterday the CISCO COLLEGE WRANGLERS lassoed a win by crushing the SOUTHEAST SPARTANS 43-10   ###  Also headed in the right direction are the BLINN COLLEGE BUCCANEERS, who defeated the KILGORE COLLEGE RANGERS 22-17 in their own house   ###   And the TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS, who routed the homestanding OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN 44-23.

LION-HEARTED – The SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS were on the road against the OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY BISON. The Big SAGU went home celebrating a 21-10 victory over the OBU Bison.   ###   And the TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE LIONS eked out a 31-29 home win over the SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE SAVAGE STORM. 

YO HO HO AND A BOTTLE OF RUM – The SANTA MONICA COLLEGE CORSAIRS sent the GLENDALE (CA) VAQUEROS home nursing a 44-28 loss   ###   The VENTURA COLLEGE PIRATES keelhauled the MOORPARK COLLEGE RAIDERS by a score of 54-21   ###   And the ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE MARAUDERS won a 40-35 game for the ages against the visiting LOS ANGELES VALLEY MONARCHS.    

ONE TEAM WAS PLAYING BASKETBALL – The (7) INDIANA UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA CRIMSON HAWKS eviscerated the MILLERSVILLE MARAUDERS 62-3   ###   Meanwhile the SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY RED RAIDERS keelhauled the SETON HILL GRIFFINS by a score of 73-27   ###   And the MERCYHURST LAKERS clobbered the CHEYNEY WOLVES in a 63-14 laugher. 

BOTH TEAMS WERE PLAYING BASKETBALL – The MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE KNIGHTS hosted the IOWA WESLEYAN TIGERS and came out on top in a 68-51 shootout   ###   The URSINUS BEARS won on the road against the MORAVIAN GREYHOUNDS 52-44   ###   And the MORRISVILLE STATE MUSTANGS won a 51-48 squeaker against the WILLIAM PATERSON PIONEERS.  

SHUTOUTS – Examples of defensive perfection from yesterday: The (9) HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY REDDIES logged a 42-0 road shutout of the NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE RANGERS   ###   The UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO BOLL WEEVILS won a 17-0 homestand against the ARKANSAS TECH WONDERBOYS   ###   And the UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS blanked the SHORTER UNIVERSITY HAWKS in their own house 41-0.  

THE BATTLE FOR THE WAGON – This battle is an annual game between the FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE DIPLOMATS and the DICKINSON COLLEGE RED DEVILS, both from the Centennial Conference. This year’s installment of that clash was not as competitive as fans of these programs night have been hoping for. The Diplomats negotiated their way to an easy 35-14 victory.  

PLAYING PRESIDENTIALLY – The TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS took it on the road and handed a 33-0 loss to the QUINCY HAWKS.   ###   And the WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS were likewise on the road, in their case against the BETHANY BISON. The Presidents let down the memory of the man from Independence, MO by losing to the Bison 24-19.  

NCCAA FINALISTS DOING WELL – Both the defending champions and the runners-up for 2012 in the National Christian College Athletic Association are churning out the wins this year, too. The champs, the GREENVILLE COLLEGE PANTHERS, won a 21-20 road epic against the CROWN COLLEGE STORM yesterday   ###   And the runners-up, the UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN (MN) EAGLES won a road game of their own against the MINNESOTA-MORRIS COUGARS 50-45.  

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