*** NJCAA ***
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The GARDEN CITY COLLEGE BRONCBUSTERS did battle with the ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE MATADORS for the national title. The 2016 El Toro Bowl saw the Broncbusters grab a 7-0 lead in the 1st Quarter, then take a 19-14 edge into the locker room at the Half. Neither team scored in the 3rd Quarter and the Matadors went up 22-19 in the 4th. Garden City scored a TD with 30 seconds left in the game but muffed the 2-point conversion attempt. Arizona Western failed to score and the Broncbusters won their 1st National Championship 25-22!
*** NAIA ***
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The BAKER UNIVERSITY WILDCATS managed a very dramatic 4th Quarter comeback to advance to the NAIA National Championship Game. The Wildcats hosted the EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS and after a 7-7 1st Quarter tie held a 24-17 advantage at Halftime. The Mountaineers took a 27-24 edge in the 3rd Quarter and extended that to 41-24 in the 4th. From there Baker University scored TWENTY-ONE UNANSWERED POINTS to win this Instant Classic by a score of 45-41! Continue reading
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS TOPPLED – The 10th seeded EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS traveled to face the top seeded Defending National Champions of NAIA football – the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS. After a scoreless 1st Quarter the Mountaineers put the Knights on upset alert with a 10-0 Halftime lead. Following the break Eastern Oregon consummated the upset by bringing down Marian U in a 17-0 shutout. 
COMEBACK COUGARS – The 4 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS – hosted the 5th seeded MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS yesterday. The Mustangs grabbed a quick 10-0 lead in the 1st Quarter and extended that to a 20-7 advantage over the Cougars by the break. USF pulled to within 28-21 to end the 3rd Quarter then outscored Morningside 21-7 in the 4th for a 42-35 triumph. 
Rival teams Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are both hopeful that they will make it to the college play offs, although they have mountainous challenges to overcome before they get there. Their performance in recent games has seen their rankings improve, which is a good sign for both teams. 
USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association)
HIGH DESERT BOWL – In this game the ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE MARAUDERS took on the VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE RAMS. The teams went blow for blow, with a 7-7 1st Quarter tie and a 14-14 Halftime draw. After the break the Marauders got some separation from the Rams, ultimately winning the game 35-21. 
GOLDEN STATE BOWL – The MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE MOUNTIES clashed with the COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS COUGARS in this year’s Golden State Bowl. The Mounties actually fell behind 3-0 in the 1st Quarter but never let the Cougars score again. By the midpoint Mount SAC led 17-3 and in the 2nd Half coasted to a 27-3 victory. 
PRESIDENTS BOWL – The two teams competing in this Bowl Game were the WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE PRESIDENTS and the COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT GOLDEN EAGLES. The Presidents trailed the Golden Eagles 17-7 in the 1st Quarter and 24-13 by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Washington & Jefferson College facing a 31-16 deficit. The Presidents exploded for 22 unanswered points in the 4th Quarter for a 38-31 comeback win. 
LEGACY BOWL – This game pitted the SALISBURY UNIVERSITY SEA GULLS against the CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY TARTANS. After a 7-7 1st Quarter tie the Sea Gulls seized control in the 2nd Quarter and took a 24-7 lead into the locker room. In the 2nd Half Salisbury University outscored the Tartans 28-13 for a blowout win by a count of 52-20. 
OVERTIME MAGNUM OPUS – The (8) LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS hosted the (9) GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS in a typically tight 8 seed versus 9 seed game. The Blue Raiders came back from being down 3-0 in the 1st Quarter to take a 17-10 lead into Halftime. The Vikings retook the lead 27-24 to end the 3rd Quarter, with a 4th Quarter Field Goal from Lindsey Wilson forcing OT with a 27-27 tie. The Blue Raiders scored 7 on their possession then shut out Grand View for a 34-27 triumph.
THE WAR OUT WEST – The (6) MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS took the field against the visiting (11) DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS. The Orediggers seized a 14-0 advantage in the 1st Quarter with the two teams exchanging a Touchdown apiece in the 2nd. After the break the Blue Hawks edged closer but Montana Tech kept them off at just enough distance for a 28-21 victory. 
EL TORO BOWL 
SALT CITY BOWL
We have 2016’s first gridiron championship in the divisions covered by Balladeer’s Blog, which names Warner University the NCCAA Champs. The Royals took the Victory Bowl banner, too! 
NCCAA Champions: WARNER UNIVERSITY ROYALS 
ALFRED UNIVERSITY SAXONS ### (Conference Affiliation: Empire 8 Conference) will host the BRIDGEWATER STATE BEARS ### (Conference Affiliation: Massachusetts Small College Athletic Conference) 
UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS TOMMIES ### (Conference Affiliation: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) will host the UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN (MN) EAGLES ### (Conference Affiliation: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) 
Balladeer's Blog 