On Thursday, August 24th, the 2023 college football season will kick off in the divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog. Below is my Preseason Top 25 for the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).
*** 1. MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS ### 2. NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS ### 3. KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS ### 4. MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS ### 5. LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS ###
6. SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS ### 7. GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS (should be Zebras) ### 8. BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS ### 9. REINHARDT UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be Rottweilers) ### 10. INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS ### Continue reading
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association)
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS and the KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS battled it out for the NAIA title on Saturday. After a scoreless 1st Quarter, Halftime arrived with things knotted up at 7-7. The Red Raiders went on top 21-17 in the 3rd Quarter, and an action-packed 4th saw Northwestern College defeat the Seahawks 35-25. * THE RED RAIDERS ARE NAIA CHAMPIONS * 
The competing teams are the NORTH-WESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS and the KEISER UNIVERSITY SEA HAWKS. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 Noon ET. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES OREDIGGERS took the field against the SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY RAMS in this game. A 3-0 1st Quarter edge for the Orediggers turned into a 17-3 advantage by Halftime. After the break the Colorado School of Mines limited the Rams to just 10 points in the 4th Quarter while piling up points for themselves. The final score was Orediggers 44 Shepherd U. 13. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The KEISER UNIVERSITY SEA HAWKS visited the GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS (should be the Zebras) in this game. The 1st Quarter ended with the Sea Hawks up 7-0 before expanding that to a 21-7 advantage by Halftime. After the break, Keiser University outscored Grand View 17-14 for a 38-21 Upset and a trip to the title game on December 17th. 
SECOND SEMIFINAL – Up next the NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS took the field against the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. A 17-0 Red Raiders lead in the opening Quarter remained unchanged at the Half. The 3rd Quarter ended with Northwestern College on top 31-0 and the 4th in a 38-7 Red Raiders win. It will be Red Raiders and Sea Hawks in the Championship Game. 
VICTORY BOWL – This season-ending showcase game in the NCCAA pitted the OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY TIGERS against the SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS. By Halftime the Tigers were on top 21-3 and the Lions cut that to 21-10 to end the 3rd Quarter. In the 4th, Olivet Nazarene won the game by a final score of 21-16. 
NEPTUNE BOWL – This Bowl game features the USCAA facing NCAA Division 3. From the USCAA the NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (think Shipbuilders) played D3’s BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE EAGLES. After a scoreless 1st Quarter, the Builders had a 14-7 lead at the Half. That became 21-7 in the 3rd Quarter before an explosive 4th saw NNAS log a 38-28 victory. 
GAME ONE – The LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS took on the REINHARDT UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be the Rottweilers). It was all defense in the 1st Half, leaving the Blue Raiders with a mere 3-0 edge at the midpoint. After the break Lindsey Wilson College put up 20 points to Reinhardt U’s 22 to win out 23-22. 
VICTORY BOWL – The 2022 edition of this showcase game in the NCCAA will pit the defending Victory Bowl champions – the SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS – against the OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY TIGERS. 
The MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS – the defending National Champions – will play the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM. 
TOPPLING NUMBER SIX – In NCAA Division 2 the 16th ranked INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA CRIMSON HAWKS welcomed the number 6 team in the nation – the SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY RAMS. The Crimson Hawks led 7-0 in the 1st Quarter and 10-7 come Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with IUP on top 24-7, but they had to hold on in the 4th against a furious Rams rally for a 24-21 win. 
CLOSE CALL FOR NUMBER TWO – Down in NCAA Division 3 the number 2 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT WHITEWATER WARHAWKS paid a visit to the BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS. This odd game saw the Warhawks out in front 17-0 at the Half. After a scoreless 3rd Quarter the Yellow Jackets rallied for 21 points in the 4th but fell short. UW-Whitewater won out 23-21.
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