*** HEADLINES ***
NUMBER THREE GETS KNOCKED OFF – In D2 the UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS GREYHOUNDS welcomed the number 3 team in the nation – the GRAND VALLEY STATE LAKERS. The dynastic Lakers appeared to be in the driver’s seat with a 13-0 1st Quarter lead, but by Halftime the Greyhounds had made it a 13-10 game.
After the break the University of Indianapolis went on top 17-13 and in the 4th Quarter the teams exchanged Touchdowns, giving the Greyhounds a 24-20 victory.
AND NUMBER FIVE CAME TUMBLING AFTER – Over in the NAIA the 24th ranked SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS clashed with the nation’s number 5 team – the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS. A 1st Quarter 6-0 edge for the Cougars turned into a commanding 26-7 lead by the Half.
From there Saint Xavier University had to hold on tight to withstand a furious Knights rally 32-27. SXU Quarterback Justin Hunniford passed for 425 yds with 2 TDs through the air and 2 by ground.
OUR DIVISION CAN BEAT UP YOUR DIVISION – 2017’s first round of NAIA football vs NCAA Division 3 football resulted in a split.
The NAIA’s OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE AGGIES (should be the Okies) shut out NCAA Div 3’s MCMURRY UNIVERSITY WARHAWKS 10-0. ### Meanwhile D3’s BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY BEAVERS won a 31-27 Instant Classic against the visiting NAIA team the MAYVILLE STATE COMETS. Continue reading
No matter WHAT the 4-letter network says, this is Week TWO of the 2017 College Football season. Tonight will feature some clashes between ranked opponents in the various divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog: 
The number 5 team in the nation – the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS – take it on the road against the 24th ranked SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS. 
The 25th ranked SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY RAIDERS will be hosting the number 7 EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS. 
1. UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR CRUSADERS (Defending National Champions) ### 2. UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS ### 3. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS ### 4. NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE CARDINALS ### 5. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT WHITEWATER WARHAWKS ### 
6. UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS TOMMIES ### 7. LINFIELD COLLEGE WILDCATS ### 8. JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY BLUE STREAKS ### 9. COE COLLEGE KOHAWKS ### 10. ALFRED UNIVERSITY SAXONS ### 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) were the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS COUGARS and the BAKER UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. Daytona Beach was the site of this very lopsided game. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The two winningest programs in D2 football history – the NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS and the UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS – faced each other in yesterday’s title tilt. Amid ample snowfall neither team scored in the 1st Quarter but the Bearcats – the defending champs – managed a 7-3 lead by Halftime. 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The FULLERTON COLLEGE HORNETS and the AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE BEAVERS played each other for the CCCAA title. The Beavers managed a 3-0 lead to end the 1st Quarter but by Halftime the Hornets held a 14-13 edge. After the break it seemed Fullerton College was putting it out of reach as they compiled a 29-13 lead but American River College came back to within 29-21 to end the 3rd Quarter. In the 4th a missed 2-point conversion by the Beavers gave the Hornets a 29-27 win and the 2016 title. 
SEMIFINAL ONE – This game pitted the NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS – the Defending Champions of D2 football – against the visiting FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS. The Bearcats led 21-13 at the break following which the two teams exchanged Touchdowns in the 3rd Quarter. Northwest Missouri State scored another TD in the 4th, making the score 35-20 and ending the scoring with just 4:45 left to play. The Bearcats return to the title game. 
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! 
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! 
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. 
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. 
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) 
POINT UNIVERSITY CONQUERS THE NCAA – Once again a team from the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) toppled a team from a higher division. In this case the POINT UNIVERSITY SKYHAWKS took it on the road against NCAA Division Two’s BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS. The Skyhawks won handily in a 22-7 statement game. 
NUMBER ONE GETS UPSET AT HOME – The 16th ranked JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY BLUE STREAKS paid a visit to the number 1 UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS yesterday. A 13-0 1st Quarter lead for the Blue Streaks became a 13-7 advantage by Halftime and a 21-13 lead for the Purple Raiders to end the 3rd. JCU came from behind to eke out a 31-28 victory. 
