*** HEADLINES ***
DAVENPORT CONQUERS THE WORLD – As usual an NAIA team toppled a team from a higher division in yesterday’s action. The NAIA’s DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS squared off against the visiting QUINCY UNIVERSITY HAWKS from NCAA Division TWO. This was a true game for the ages, with the Panthers squeezing out a 14-10 upset.
THAT WAS NUMBER FIIIIIIVE! – The unranked WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFALOES welcomed the number 5 team in the nation – the MIDWESTERN STATE MUSTANGS. For 4 bruising Quarters these two teams went blow for blow but there could only be one winner. That winner turned out to be the Buffaloes, who dragged down the Mustangs by a score of 35-27. Continue reading
NAIA OVER NCAA – The lone NAIA vs NCAA battle this week saw the NAIA’s PRESENTATION COLLEGE SAINTS welcome the FINLANDIA UNIVERSITY LIONS out of the NCAA. The Saints showed the Lions how football is played, eviscerating them by a score of SEVENTY-FOUR to NOTHING! So far in 2016 the NAIA has won three weeks, the NCAA has won one week and two weeks have been a tie. 
USCAA GAME OF THE WEEK – Meanwhile in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) the WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF THE TRADES MECHANICS took the field against the visiting GATTACA (NJ) COLLEGE STRAYERS. The Mechanics dominated in the game, doubling up on Gattaca College 28-14. 
NUMBER THREE GETS TAKEN DOWN – The 6th seeded MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS welcomed the Number 3 team in the nation – the DOANE COLLEGE TIGERS. The Mustangs are still boiling from their undeserved drop in the rankings a few weeks ago and took their anger out on the Tigers in a SIXTY-NINE to SEVEN blowout. 
NUMBER EIGHT FALLS AT HOME – The Number 18 HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON traveled to take on the 8th ranked HENDERSON STATE REDDIES yesterday. To the shock of the entire country the Bison proceeded to dismember the Reddies on their own field, manhandling them to the tune of 35-3. 
NUMBER TWO FALLS – The 6th ranked UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS hosted the number 2 team in the nation – the UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA WOLVES. This was a game for the ages which had football fans across the nation on the edge of their seats. In the end the Lions prevailed over the Wolves, eking out a 24-23 victory. 
TOPPLING NUMBER FOUR – Meanwhile the unranked TIFFIN UNIVERSITY DRAGONS did battle with their guests – the number 4 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY EAGLES. This was another hard-fought affair that provided 4 Quarters of gridiron gold. The Dragons managed to drag down the Eagles by a final tally of 35-32. 
FLORIDA TECH CONQUERS DIVISION ONE – Division Two’s FLORIDA TECH PANTHERS took it on the road against Division ONE’s PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE BLUE HOSE. The Panthers sent a message, pushing the Blue Hose around the field on both sides of the ball. Florida Tech handily defeated Presbyterian College by a score of 28-7. 
NUMBER SIX TAKES A FALL – The 18th ranked EMPORIA STATE HORNETS visited the number 6 team in the country – the UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI MULES. This was a Battle Royal in which 4 Quarters wasn’t enough … One Overtime period wasn’t enough either. In DOUBLE OVERTIME the Hornets emerged with a 37-31 triumph over the Mules. 
TUSKEGEE TOPPLES FAMU – Meanwhile NCAA Division Two’s TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS hosted Division ONE’s FLORIDA A&M RATTLERS. The Golden Tigers and Rattlers played 4 bone-crushing Quarters of football and when all of the dust had settled Tuskegee University was the team left standing. The final tally in this game was Golden Tigers 20 FAMU 17. 
PRIVATEERS OVER THE MARINERS – The game of the night on Friday was the clash between the MARITIME COLLEGE PRIVATEERS and the visiting MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY MARINERS. The Privateers trailed the Mariners 7-0 after 1 Quarter of play but pulled to within 7-6 by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with the score knotted up at 13-13 with Maritime College pulling out a 20-16 victory in the 4th. QB Thomas Wright threw for 2 TD’s for the Privateers.
SHUTOUTS – The ROWAN UNIVERSITY PROFS did battle with their guests the WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY PIONEERS and converted a 7-0 edge at the break into a 31-0 masterpiece of defensive play. ### And the traveling FRAMINGHAM STATE RAMS took on the FITCHBURG STATE FALCONS, shutting them out in a much closer 14-0 affair. 
FAIRMONT STATE ON TOP – The FAIRMONT STATE FIGHTING FALCONS traveled to take on the WEST LIBERTY STATE HILLTOPPERS in what turned out to be the game of the night. The Fighting Falcons trailed the Hilltoppers 3-0 in the 1st Quarter, 17-7 at Halftime and 20-7 to end the 3rd. In the 4th Quarter Fairmont State surged from behind for a 21-20 triumph. The Fighting Falcons are now 3-0 for 2016. 
MARIAN UNIVERSITY RULES THE WORLD – Every week multiple NAIA teams upset teams from higher divisions. Starting us off this week are the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS from the NAIA, who traveled to face the NCAA Division Two team the UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS GREYHOUNDS. The Knights showed the Greyhounds how it’s done, spanking them 38-16. 
DOANE COLLEGE PLAYED GIANT-SLAYER, TOO – The NAIA’s DOANE COLLEGE TIGERS were on the road against the NCAA Division Two team the WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE CARDINALS. The Tigers nearly doubled-up on their higher division opponent in a 23-12 upset. These wins over higher division foes count as 2 wins in the rivalry so this made it NAIA-4, D3-0 so far this week. 
NCAA DIVISION TWO – 1. NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS (Defending Champions) ### 2. GRAND VALLEY STATE LAKERS ### 3. FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS ### 4. UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA WOLVES ### 5. ASHLAND UNIVERSITY EAGLES ### 
6. MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS ### 7. SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY RAMS ### 8. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI MULES ### 9. HUMBOLDT STATE LUMBERJACKS ### 10. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS ### 
Balladeer's Blog 