NCCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – The Victory Bowl is the signature gridiron event each year in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) with the winner being the national champion of the association. This year’s matchup was between the GREENVILLE COLLEGE PANTHERS (helmet at left) and the NORTHWESTERN (MN) COLLEGE EAGLES and was an Instant Classic. In overtime the Panthers emerged with a 28-27 victory. A missed extra point by the Eagles spelled the difference. Congratulations to Greenville College!
***** NAIA PLAYOFFS *****
UPSET IN GEORGETOWN – The NUMBER ONE TEAM in the nation, the undefeated GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS, suffered the upset of the First Round today at the hands of the BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. Bethel defied all the odds and proved all the prognosticators wrong with a 45-44 victory over the Tigers in this undeniable Instant Classic. ### The SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY RAIDERS stormed into Davenport, IA to take on the ever-tough SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY FIGHTING BEES and came away with an authoritative 45-28 upset win of their own.
BLOWOUTS – The ST XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS (helmet at left), the defending champions of NAIA football, breezed through their First Round matchup, mauling the WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN by a score of 31-0. ### The UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS kicked around the MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS to the tune of 42-24. ### … And the MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS plundered and pillaged the OTTAWA (KS) BRAVES 56-21.
CLOSE GAMES – The MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS (helmet at left) had more of a fight on their hands than they anticipated from the MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS. Morningside emerged with a tight 40-35 victory that may serve as a wakeup call. ### The ST FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS held on to win a 22-17 Instant Classic against the BAKER WILDCATS. ### … And the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS brought an end to the 2012 season for the NORTHWESTERN (IA) RED RAIDERS by a score of 42-32.
***** NCAA DIVISION 2 PLAYOFFS *****
MARATHON GAME OF THE DAY – This First Round matchup in D2 went to THREE OVERTIMES before a victor emerged. The MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS (helmet at left) withstood an invasion from the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AT DULUTH BULLDOGS, who won two D2 championships in recent years. The final score was Griffons 57, Bulldogs 55. Continue reading →
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. Continue reading 
Balladeer's Blog 