One last round of congratulations to the champions of every college football division covered here at Balladeer’s Blog.
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
National Champions – GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS
Runners-Up – Keiser University Seahawks
2024 Champions – Grand View University Vikings
Independent College Football Teams
My National Champions – NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders)
Runners-Up – Williamson College of the Trades Mechanics
2024 Champions – Newport News Apprentice School Builders Continue reading
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This year’s title tilt featured the 2023 champions – the IOWA WESTERN COLLEGE REIVERS – against the 2024 champions – the HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS. 
ROUND TWO: GAME ONE – The BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS played host to the CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY TIGERS. The Ravens led 7-0 in the 1st Quarter but Campbellsville U. was on top 17-7 by Halftime. From there, Benedictine College shut out the Tigers while adding a Touchdown in the 3rd and 4th Quarters each. The Ravens won 21-17.
ROUND TWO: GAME TWO – In this game the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS entertained the DORDT UNIVERSITY DEFENDERS. A 6-0 opening Quarter edge for the Knights became 14-0 at the Half. After the break, the Defenders outscored Marian University 18-12 but that still left them short as the Knights logged a 26-18 triumph. 
ROUND TWO: GAME THREE – The MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS took the field against the visiting CARROLL (MT) COLLEGE FIGHTING SAINTS. The Orediggers had it all their own way at first and took a 17-0 advantage into the locker room. The Fighting Saints rallied in the 3rd Quarter, pulling to within 24-21 of Montana Tech, but the Orediggers won out 31-21 in the 4th. 
ROUND ONE: GAME ONE – The SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY FIRE welcomed the REINHARDT UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be Rottweilers). The Fire led 14-7 in the opening Quarter and 21-10 by Halftime. Neither team scored in the 3rd Quarter, but Reinhardt University mounted a fierce rally in the 4th. Southeastern University held on for a 24-22 victory. 
ROUND ONE: GAME TWO – A more lopsided affair was to be had in Oskaloosa, IA as the WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN played host to the TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY RAMS. The 1st Half ended with the Statesmen out in front 21-3. After the break, William Penn U. outscored the Rams 17-6 to win the game 38-9.
ROUND ONE: GAME THREE – The UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS took the field against the visiting EVANGEL UNIVERSITY VALOR. A 7-0 opening Quarter advantage for the Valor became a mere 10-7 edge come Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with the Cougars within 12-10, then in the 4th they came from behind for a 13-12 triumph. 
DOWN GOES NUMBER THREE – In NCAA Division Three, the 25th ranked FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE DIPLOMATS welcomed the number 3 team in the nation – the JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BLUEJAYS. A 7-0 Bluejays lead in the 1st Quarter became a 21-14 advantage by Halftime. The Diplomats forced Overtime with a 21-21 tie, and in the extra session won out 29-28. 
NUMBER FOUR TOPPLED – In NCAA Division Two, the VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS traveled to face the country’s number 4 UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA ARGONAUTS. By the midpoint, the Argonauts were out in front 30-23. From there the Blazers tied the score 44-44 to end Regulation, then went on to win in Overtime 47-44. 
NUMBER SIX TAKES A FALL – Over in the NAIA, the number 9 MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS visited the 6th ranked DORDT UNIVERSITY DEFENDERS. The Mustangs were on top 13-7 in the opening Quarter and 20-14 at the Half. After the break the Defenders knotted things up at 28. In Overtime Morningside U. triumphed 34-28. 
NUMBER FIVE FALTERS – Down in NCAA Division Three, the UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR CRUSADERS played host to the country’s number 5 HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY COWBOYS. At the Half the score was knotted up at 7-7 but the 3rd Quarter ended with the Cowboys up 10-7. In the 4th, the Crusaders came from behind for a 21-17 Upset. 
UNLUCKY OVER LUCKY – Staying in D3 for a moment, the unlucky number 13 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS played the visiting lucky number 7 SALISBURY UNIVERSITY SEA GULLS. The Sea Gulls were up 30-28 at the midpoint of the game. From there, the Captains rallied to win out 45-42. 
DOWN GOES NUMBER EIGHT – In the NAIA, the 15th ranked COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES visited the number 8 team in the nation – the CARROLL COLLEGE FIGHTING SAINTS. CC led 7-0 in the 1st Quarter but by Halftime the Coyotes held a 26-7 advantage. After the break, the College of Idaho outscored the Fighting Saints 10-6 for a 36-13 manhandling. 
ONE-POINT WONDER – The ERIE COLLEGE KATS took it on the road against the COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT GOLDEN EAGLES. The Kats converted their 9-0 1st Quarter lead into a 16-2 advantage by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Erie College on top 23-2 but the 4th saw the Golden Eagles furiously rally only to fall just short as the Kats held on to win the game 23-22. 
TIGER ON TIGER VIOLENCE – The BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS welcomed the storied TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS last night. The Golden Tigers led 14-7 to end the 1st Quarter but Benedict College was up 28-17 by Halftime. After the break, the Tigers outscored Tuskegee 17-7 to win the game by a final score of 45-24.
UPSET IN THE RANKINGS – In this game the ITAWAMBA COLLEGE INDIANS took the field against the visiting number 12 team in the nation – the EAST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE LIONS. At the Half the Lions were on top 17-3 but Itawamba College came out of the locker room ready for a comeback. The 3rd Quarter saw the Indians tie things up at 17-17 before winning it in the 4th 34-24. 
NUMBER TEN TAKES A FALL – In NCAA Division Three the 23rd ranked GROVE CITY COLLEGE WOLVERINES were on the road against the number 10 team in the nation – the CORTLAND STATE RED DRAGONS. The Red Dragons led 7-0 in the opening Quarter but Grove City tied things up 14-14 at the Half. The Wolverines shut them out from there to win the game 31-14.
HILLSDALE ON THE ROAD – The storied HILLSDALE COLLEGE CHARGERS traveled to face the MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY BEARCATS. A scoreless 1st Quarter was followed by a 14-0 Chargers lead at Halftime. In the 3rd Quarter the Bearcats made it a 14-14 tie, then went up 17-14 in the 4th. Hillsdale then came from behind for a 22-17 victory. 
*** 1. MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE MOUNTIES ### 2. COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO BULLDOGS (defending champs) ### 3. RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE TIGERS ### 4. BUTTE COLLEGE ROADRUNNERS ### 
5. GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE RUSTLERS ### 6. EL CAMINO COLLEGE WARRIORS ### 7. BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE RENEGADES ### 8. COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS GIANTS ### 
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