NAIA
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS were hosting the defending National Champions – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS COUGARS. Just as much as the Mustangs were fighting USF they were also fighting their history of playoff chokes in recent years.
After nabbing a quick 21-7 1st Quarter lead Morningside College saw the Cougars pull to 28-14 at Halftime and 28-21 in the 3rd before forcing Overtime with a 28-28 tie to end the 4th. This time the Mustangs didn’t choke and after shutting out USF in the extra session they scored a TD for a 34-28 OT triumph.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS traveled to take on the KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COYOTES. Not only did this clash end in an Upset but it was an odd tale of two halves. By the break the Coyotes had come back from being down 13-0 in the opening Quarter to trailing the Ravens by a much tighter score of 20-14.
After the break Benedictine College proceeded to utterly dominate the game. They led Kansas Wesleyan 40-21 in the 3rd Quarter then put up 3 more points in the 4th to seal a 43-21 Upset. December 15th in Daytona Beach it will be the Ravens vs the Mustangs for the 2018 NAIA title.
NCAA DIVISION TWO
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS welcomed the TARLETON STATE TEXANS yesterday. The Texans kept the Mavericks off the scoreboard for three entire Quarters, leading 3-0 in the 1st Quarter and 10-0 at Halftime, a score that remained unchanged to end the 3rd. In the 4th Quarter Minnesota State roared back to win the game 13-10.
SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The home-standing NOTRE DAME COLLEGE FALCONS clashed with the SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY ROCK (sic) in this contest. A 7-3 Falcons edge in the opening Quarter became a 21-10 lead by the Half. From there a steady rainfall made the 2nd Half a defensive struggle. The Rock pulled to within 21-17 but no further as Notre Dame College advanced to the Semifinals.
THIRD QUARTERFINAL – The FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS took it on the road Saturday to do battle with the OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TIGERS. The Bulldogs never really let the favored Tigers in the game as they parlayed a 27-0 Halftime lead into a 37-14 blowout victory when everything was said and done.
FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – This game pitted the VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS against the visiting LENOIR-RHYNE UNIVERSITY BEARS. This game was even more lopsided than the Ferris State-Ouachita Baptist clash. The Blazers held a commanding 34-7 lead at the break on their way to a SIXTY-ONE to TWENTY-ONE beatdown.
NCAA DIVISION THREE
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR CRUSADERS hosted the SAINT JOHN’S UNIVERSITY JOHNNIES on Saturday. A 7-0 1st Quarter lead for the Crusaders turned into a 7-3 game by the midpoint. The 3rd Quarter ended with UMHB on top of the Johnnies 14-3 but in an action-filled 4th Quarter the Crusaders had to hold on for a tight 21-18 win.
SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT WHITEWATER WARHAWKS were out to prove that they really are back as they took on their guests the BETHEL (MN) ROYALS. The Warhawks led the Royals 23-12 come Halftime, then coasted to a 26-12 victory.
THIRD QUARTERFINAL – Up next the JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BLUE JAYS mixed it up with the visiting RENSSELAER POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTE ENGINEERS. The 1st Quarter ended in a 7-7 tie before the Blue Jays went up 17-7 at the break. From there Johns Hopkins University outscored the Engineers 20-7 to win it 37-14.
FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – Wrapping up the Division Three Quarterfinals was this game between the defending National Champions – the UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS and their guests the MUHLENBERG COLLEGE MULES. The Purple Raiders held a close 14-7 lead at the Half but then got more and more separation, defeating the Mules 38-10.
NCAA DIV TWO BOWL GAMES
LIVE UNITED BOWL – In this Bowl Game the MISSOURI WESTERN STATE GRIFFONS squared off against the SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY MULERIDERS. The 1st Half seemed like this would be a blowout, as the Griffons led 10-0 in the 1st Quarter and 20-0 at Halftime. After the break the Muleriders outscored Missouri Western 25-10 as the Griffons held on by their fingertips for a 30-25 victory.
HEART OF TEXAS BOWL – This annual Bowl double-header is unique in that one game features an NCAA Division 2 matchup and the other features an NJCAA matchup. The UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA BRONCHOS (sic) played the ANGELO STATE RAMS in the D2 ticket. The Rams led 14-10 at the break and 24-13 in the 3rd Quarter. The Bronchos exploded for 28 points in the 4th to win it 41-34.
CORSICANA BOWL – The EMPORIA STATE HORNETS took on the UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO BOLL WEEVILS in this Bowl. After a 6-6 1st Quarter tie the Hornets took an 18-9 advantage into the locker room. By the end of the 3rd Quarter the Boll Weevils had cut the ESU lead to just 24-19 but the Hornets squeezed out a little more room for a 30-22 triumph.
MINERAL WATER BOWL – From Excelsior Springs, MO came this D2 Bowl which pitted the MISSOURI S&T MINERS against the MINNESOTA STATE AT MOORHEAD DRAGONS. A 6-0 Dragons lead in the opening Quarter was the only MSU-Moorhead advantage the entire game. By Halftime the Miners were on top 21-9 and they never looked back from there, going on to win the game in a FIFTY-ONE to SIXTEEN blowout.
NJCAA BOWL GAMES
SALT CITY BOWL – The storied HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS took the field against the NAVARRO COLLEGE BULLDOGS yesterday. The Blue Dragons converted a 7-0 1st Quarter edge into a 21-6 lead by the midpoint. Neither team scored in the 3rd Quarter, followed by Hutchinson College putting it away by a final score of 35-6.
VALLEY OF THE SUN BOWL – In this Bowl the BLINN COLLEGE BUCCANEERS went head to head with the SCOTTSDALE COLLEGE FIGHTING ARTICHOKES. A very early 7-0 Buccaneers lead remained unchanged until the Fighting Artichokes knotted things up at 7-7 right before Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Blinn College up 17-7 and a fierce Scottsdale rally in the 4th fell short as the Bucs won it 23-20.
EL TORO BOWL – Staying in Arizona for the moment the LACKAWANNA COLLEGE FALCONS went up against the ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE MATADORS in this game. The Falcons led 7-0 in the 1st Quarter and 17-3 at the break. The Matadors pulled to within 17-10 in the 3rd Quarter and with neither team scoring in the 4th, 17-10 was the final tally as well.
HEART OF TEXAS BOWL – The NJCAA matchup in this Bowl double-header event pitted the KILGORE COLLEGE RANGERS against the PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS. The Rangers achieved Defensive Perfection, shutting out the Aztecs. By the Half Kilgore College was in front 15-0 and by the time all was said and done the Rangers had triumphed 28-zip.
RED GRANGE BOWL – A very wet game saw the NASSAU COLLEGE LIONS do battle with the NORTHLAND COLLEGE PIONEERS. The Lions seized control from the start, scoring on their first four possessions to end the 1st Quarter with a 17-0 lead. The Pioneers made it a 17-6 game in the 2nd but Nassau College led 24-6 by Halftime. From there the Lions coasted for a 46-6 blowout win.
SUNDAY’S NJCAA BOWLS
GRAPHIC EDGE BOWL: FEATURE GAME – The Main Event in this Double-Header Bowl Event pitted the IOWA WESTERN COLLEGE REIVERS against the SNOW COLLEGE BADGERS. A 6-0 1st Quarter edge for the Reivers became 13-7 at the midpoint. The Badgers pulled to within 16-14 to end the 3rd Quarter but Iowa Western held on for a 19-17 victory in the end.
MIDWEST CLASSIC BOWL – The BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES did battle with the NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN. The Golden Norsemen were on top 21-19 come Halftime but the Grizzlies went up 26-21 in the 3rd Quarter on their way to pulling off a 34-30 Upset.
GRAPHIC EDGE BOWL: OPENING GAME – Kicking off this Bowl Double-Header was the game between the IOWA CENTRAL COLLEGE TRITONS and the MONROE COLLEGE MUSTANGS. The Tritons led 14-6 in the 1st Quarter and 21-6 to end the 2nd. After the break the Mustangs outscored Iowa Central College 14-13 but the Tritons won it 34-20.
MISSISSIPPI BOWL – The JONES COUNTY COLLEGE BOBCATS took the field against the EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE GILA MONSTERS. The Gila Monsters held their only lead of the game at 7-3 in the opening Quarter. Halftime saw the Bobcats on top 13-7. In the 2nd Half Jones County College shut out Eastern Arizona College for an authoritative 27-7 rout.
Many helmets courtesy of the Helmet Project.
Balladeer's Blog 
Benedictine College is the way to go! Love the Ravens!
Always good to hear from the fans!
Minny State Mavericks! Yes!
Always good to hear from the fans.
Iowa Central College doesn’t get the pub they deserve.
I can certainly agree with you on that.
Too bad Benedictine blew it in the championship game.
I understand.
Valdosta State is it, y’all!
Always good to hear from the fans.
Benedictine College will be back in the playoffs this year!
Quite possibly so.
Benedictine got robbed.
I’m not sure how you mean.
Awesome! I never knew these teams even existed!
Thanks! I’m always happy to spread the word!
Hey, how’s it going?
I want to pass along some very important news that everyone needs to hear!
In December of 2017, Donald Trump made history by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Why is this big news? Because by this the Jewish people of Israel are now able to press forward in bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible.
Jewish Rabbis have publicly announced that their Messiah will be revealed in the coming years who will be a leader and spiritual guide to all nations, gathering all religions under the worship of one God.
Biblical prophecy tells us that this Jewish Messiah who will take the stage will be the antichrist “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). For a time he will bring about a false peace, but “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (Matthew 24:15)…then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).
More importantly, the power that runs the world wants to put a RFID microchip in our body making us total slaves to them. This chip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically in Revelation 13:16-18:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. This Mark couldn’t be spiritual because the word references two different physical locations. If it was spiritual it would just say in the forehead. RFID microchip implant technology will be the future of a one world cashless society containing digital currency. It will be implanted in the right-hand or the forehead, and we cannot buy or sell without it. Revelation 13:11-18 tells us that a false prophet will arise on the world scene doing miracles before men, deceiving them to receive this Mark. Do not be deceived! We must grow strong in Jesus. AT ALL COSTS, DO NOT TAKE IT!
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).
People have been saying the end is coming for many years, but we needed two key things. One, the Third Temple, and two, the technology for a cashless society to fulfill the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast.
Visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see proof for these things and why the Bible truly is the word of God!
If you haven’t already, it is time to seek God with all your heart. Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. He wants to have a relationship with you and redeem you from your sins. Turn to Him and repent while there is still hope! This is forever…God bless!
“EITHER HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ULTIMATELY OWES ITS ORIGIN TO MINDLESS MATTER OR THERE IS A CREATOR…” – JOHN LENNOX
We all know God exists. Why? Because without Him, we couldn’t prove anything at all. Do we live our lives as if we cannot know anything? No. So why is God necessary? In order to know anything for certain, you would have to know everything, or have revelation from somebody who does. Who is capable of knowing everything? God. So to know anything, you would have to be God, or know God.
A worldview without God cannot account for the uniformity and intelligibility of nature. And why is it that we can even reason that God is the best explanation for this if there is no God? We are given reason to know or reject God, but never to know that He does not exist.
It has been calculated by Roger Penrose that the odds of the initial conditions for the big bang to produce the universe that we see to be a number so big, that we could put a zero on every particle in the universe, and even that would not be enough to use every zero. What are the odds that God created the universe? Odds are no such thing. Who of you would gamble your life on one coin flip?
Is there evidence that the Bible is the truth? Yes. Did you know that the creation accounts listed in the book of Genesis are not only all correct, but are also in the correct chronological order? That the Bible doesn’t say the Earth was formed in six 24-hour days but rather six long but finite periods of time? That the Bible makes 10 times more creation claims than all major “holy” books combined with no contradictions, while these other books have errors in them? The Bible stood alone by concurring with the big bang saying, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1); and says our universe is expanding, thousands of years before scientists discovered these things. Watch a potential life-changing video on the front page of http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM with Astronomer(PhD) Hugh Ross explaining all these facts based on published scientific data. He has authored many books, backed even by atheist scientists.
Jesus fulfilled more than 300 Messianic prophecies concerning His birth place, details of His life, His mission, His nature, His death, and His resurrection. He came to pay a debt that we could not, to be our legal justifier to reconcile us back to a Holy God; only if we are willing to receive Him: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him, through faith, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus says if we wish to enter into life to keep the commands! The two greatest commands are to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself. All the law hang on these commands. We must be born of and lead by the Holy Spirit, to be called children of God, to inherit the kingdom. If we are willing to humble ourselves in prayer to Jesus, to confess and forsake our sins, He is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking of Him; giving us a new heart, leading us into all truth!
Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. The everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels due to disobedience to God’s law. If we do the same, what makes us any different than the devil? Jesus says unless we repent, we shall perish. We must walk in the Spirit, producing fruits of love and forgiveness, so we may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh being hatred, fornication, drunkenness and the like. Whoever practices such things will not inherit the kingdom (Galatians 5:16-26). If we sin, we may come before Jesus to ask for forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2). Evil thoughts are not sins, but rather temptations. It is not until these thoughts conceive and give birth by our hearts desire that they become sin (James 1:12-15). When we sin, we become in the likeness of the devil’s image, for he who sins is of the devil (1 John 3:8); but if we obey Jesus, in the image of God. For without holiness, we shall not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
The oldest religion in the world is holiness (James 1:27). What religion did Adam and Eve follow before the fall? Jesus, Who became the last Adam, what religion does He follow? Is He not holy? He never told us to follow any religion or denomination but to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). There are many false doctrines being taught leading people astray. This is why we need the Holy Spirit for discernment. Unlike religion, holiness cannot be created. It is given to us from above by the baptism of the Spirit. Jesus is more than a religion; He is about having a personal relationship with the Father. Start by reading the Gospel of Matthew, to hear the words of God, to know His character and commandments. Follow and obey Jesus, for He is the way, the truth, and the life!
Terrific coverage of these lower divisions!
Thank you very much!