HEADLINES
THIRTEEN OVER SEVEN – The NAIA’s 13th ranked NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS visited the country’s number 7 DORDT UNIVERSITY DEFENDERS. In this very strange game neither team had scored by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter saw the Red Raiders put up 3 points which wound up being the ONLY points scored in the game. Yes, 3-0 was the final tally in this clash of ranked teams.
NUMBER EIGHT FALLS – Staying in the NAIA for right now, the number 15 BAKER UNIVERSITY WILDCATS took it on the road against the 8th ranked MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS. MNU were on top 7-3 in the 1st Quarter, but the Wildcats went up 10-7 by the Half. A scoreless 3rd Quarter was followed by Baker U. winning out 20-14. Continue reading
Institution: ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY 
KNOCKING OFF NUMBER ONE – In NCAA Division Two, the 11th ranked OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TIGERS played host to the nation’s number 1 team – the HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON. A 7-7 1st Quarter tie became a 13-10 Halftime edge for the Bison. After the break, the Tigers scored the only points of the 2nd Half to win the game 17-13. 
DOWN GOES NUMBER SIX – In NCAA Division Three, the 16th ranked UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS took the field against the visiting number 6 WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE PIONEERS. The Pioneers were on top 10-3 by the break, but the 3rd Quarter ended in a 17-10 Titans lead. The 4th saw UW-Oshkosh triumph 24-17. 
NUMBER SEVEN TAKES A FALL – Back up in D2, the CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS welcomed the number 7 team in the land – the SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY ROCK. The Vulcans led 7-0 in the opening Quarter and 17-7 at the Half. From there Cal (PA) shut out the Rock while adding 11 more points for a 28-7 Upset win. 
THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE CHAPARRALS VS THE ELLSWORTH COLLEGE PANTHERS – This NJCAA matchup last night kicked off the 2024 college football season in the divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog. On Saturday the NAIA joins the action as additional NJCAA games also kick off. 
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association)
THE NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPION-SHIP GAME BETWEEN THE NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS AND THE KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS WILL BE PLAYED ON MONDAY THE 18th.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The battle for the D2 crown pitted the HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON against the COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES OREDIGGERS. The 1st Quarter ended in a 7-7 tie, but by Halftime the Bison were on top 21-7. Harding University shut out the Orediggers from there while continuing to score on the way to a 38-7 rout. * THE BISON ARE NCAA DIVISION TWO CHAMPIONS * 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – In this game the NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS clashed with the visiting GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS. The Red Raiders parlayed their 7-0 1st Quarter lead into a 14-3 advantage by Halftime. Northwestern College continued to dominate after the break, ultimately winning by a final score of 35-10. 
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES were on the road at the GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS (should be Zebras). Grand View U. was on top 3-0 in the 1st Quarter and 9-0 come Halftime. The Coyotes cut their deficit to 17-14 in the 3rd Quarter on their way to a 31-17 comeback victory.
SECOND QUARTERFINAL – Up next the GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS hosted the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. Neither team scored in the opening Quarter but the Tigers took a 21-0 lead with them into the Half. The Wildcats outscored GC 21-10 after the break, but the Tigers won 31-21. 
