Tag Archives: NAIA football

August 14, 2013 · 9:15 pm

NAIA COLLEGE FOOTBALL: BALLADEER’S BLOG’S PRESEASON TOP 25

Friday, August 23rd is when the divisions of college football covered here at Balladeer’s Blog will kick off the 2013 season. Take a peek at my Preseason Top 25 for the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).

Marian U Knights helmet1. MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS (defending champions)    ###    2. MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS    ###    3. SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS    ###    4. MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS    ###    5. GEORGETOWN COLLEGE (KY) TIGERS    ###    6. SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS    ###    7. MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS    ###   

Cumberlands_KY8. UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS    ###    9. SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY FIGHTING BEES    ###    10. MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS    ###    11.  Continue reading →

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December 18, 2012 · 12:26 am

2012 COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

The college football season in the divisions covered by Balladeer’s Blog has come to a close. Here’s one final round of congratulations to the champions of those six divisions.

Marian U Knights helmetNAIA

(National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

Champions: MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS

Runners-up: Morningside College Mustangs

2011 Champions – St Xavier University Cougars

Greenville College PanthersNCCAA

(National Christian College Athletic Association)

Champions: GREENVILLE COLLEGE PANTHERS

Runners-up: Northwestern (MN) College Eagles

2011 Champions – Campbellsville University Tigers

Valdosta_StNCAA Division 2

(National Collegiate Athletic Association)

Champions: VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY BLAZERS

Runners-up: Continue reading →

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December 8, 2012 · 10:33 pm

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS: DECEMBER 8TH, 2012

*** NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP ***

The NAIA championship game between the Marian University Knights and the Morningside College Mustangs will be played this Thursday December 13th, at 6:30pm ET in Rome, GA.

*** CCCAA CHAMPIONSHIP ***

Bakersfield College RenegadesTHE STREETS OF BAKERSFIELD – The BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE RENEGADES completed their fairytale postseason run today in the CCCAA championship game. Compared to last year’s CCCAA title game the 2012 edition lacked a certain amount of drama with the Renegades dominating from start to finish. Bakersfield dethroned the reigning champs, the CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO RAMS, in a 35-14 spanking. After compiling a 28-14 lead by halftime the Renegades coasted through the rest of the game to become the 2012 CCCAA champions! 

*** NCAA D2 PLAYOFFS ***

Valdosta State BlazersBLAZING A TRAIL TO THE TITLE GAME – The first semifinal in Division 2 today was played between the VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY BLAZERS and the homestanding MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS. The first half was a tightly contested affair with the Blazers leading at half-time 14-10. The second half saw the Continue reading →

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November 12, 2012 · 4:13 pm

2012 NAIA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TEAMS

The regular season for 2012 is history and the 16 team NAIA playoff field has been announced. Here are the matchups for the first round, beginning this Saturday, November 17th. Balladeer’s Blog will also be examining the postseason matchups in NCAA Divisions 2 and 3 plus the NJCAA and CCCAA.

(1) GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS host the (16) BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS 4:30pm ET

(2) MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS host the (15) OTTAWA (KS) BRAVES Time TBD

(3) MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS host the (14) MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS 3pm ET

(4) ST XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS (defending champs) host the (13) WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN 2pm ET

(5) MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS host the Continue reading →

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November 11, 2012 · 2:35 pm

NOTEWORTHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

THE LANGSTON LIONS RULE THE WORLD – Regular readers of Balladeer’s Blog are familiar with the way each week in college football season brings at LEAST one NAIA team upsetting a team from NCAA Division 2. For newbies to these divisions this is like when a 1AA (FCS) team upsets a 1A (FBS) team. The NAIA’s Lions took it on the road and brought down D2’s PANHANDLE STATE AGGIES  27-20. This is Langston’s 2nd such upset this season after several in 2011, too.

Honorable mention goes to the CONCORDIA (AL) HORNETS who earlier this year toppled both a D2 team and a DIVISION ONE team. Yesterday the Hornets fell short in a 28-26 road loss to D2’s STILLMAN TIGERS.

NUMBER THREE TAKES A FALL – The 3rd ranked team in NCAA Division 2, the storied NORTHWEST MISSOURI BEARCATS, were hosting the number 9 MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS (helmet at left) in a game that ensured the winner would take this year’s conference title in the MidAmerica Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The Griffons rose up against their rivals and emerged with a 21-20 victory in this undeniable Instant Classic.

TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA – The number 12 team in the rankings, the SOUTHERN OREGON RAIDERS (helmet at left), won a homestand against the 7th ranked MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS and ended their stellar 2012 regular season with a 46-28 loss. This win earned the Raiders a share of the Frontier Conference title.   ###   … And at number 15 the WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN tried to make up for last week’s disappointment by upsetting the visiting 9th ranked GRAND VIEW VIKINGS in a 17-12 nailbiter. Balladeer’s Blog will cover how this affects the NAIA playoff seedings later on.

TOP 25 UPSETS – NCAA DIVISION 2 – The INDIANA UNIVERSITY- PENNSYLVANIA CRIMSON HAWKS were in the unlucky number 13 spot in the rankings but toppled the visiting number 10 team, the SHIPPENSBURG RED RAIDERS, in a 41-10 drubbing.   ###   … And the unranked SAGINAW VALLEY CARDINALS held serve to bring down the 17th ranked GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY LAKERS in a 55-52 shootout for the ages. 

TOP 25 UPSETS – NCAA DIVISION 3 – The WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS (helmet at left) invaded the home of the number 18 WAYNESBURG YELLOW JACKETS and handed them a 31-14 veto.   ###   … And the ADRIAN BULLDOGS likewise played road warriors, eking out a 17-16 victory over the 17th ranked HUNTINGDON HAWKS.   ###   The (13) HEIDELBERG STUDENT PRINCES had a close call but held on at home to win a 35-34 contest with the Continue reading →

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November 6, 2012 · 9:22 pm

BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS AND 2012 VICTORY BOWL MATCHUP

The Victory Bowl is the signature football event each year for the National Christian College Athletic Association. The 2012 matchup for that gridiron gala has been set. On November 17th the GREENVILLE COLLEGE PANTHERS, last year’s Victory Bowl runners- up, will host the NORTHWESTERN (MN) COLLEGE EAGLES. Kickoff will be at 12 Noon ET. And now, Balladeer’s Blog’s football rankings for November 6th, 2012.

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) – 1. GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS (helmet at left)    ###    2. SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS (defending champions)    ###    3. MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS    ###    4. MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS    ###    5. MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS    ###    6. UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS Continue reading →

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November 4, 2012 · 2:57 pm

NOTEWORTHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM NOVEMBER 3RD, 2012

NUMBER ONE TAKES A FALL – The NAIA’s 5th ranked defending champions, the SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS (helmet at left), hosted the number 1 MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS, the only team to defeat them in last year’s regular season. Mike Feminis’ Cougars already avenged that loss by defeating Marian in the 2011 playoffs, but all that background tension and drama added to the anticipation of yesterday’s matchup between these two gridiron titans. SXU continued their magnificent defense of their crown with an authoritative 23-6 victory over the Knights, setting up a new number 1 in the next poll.

LIONS MAUL GORILLAS – The LINDENWOOD LIONS piled on the reeling PITTSBURG (KS) STATE GORILLAS, the defending champs of NCAA Division 2 football. The Gorillas were not only the defending champs but were also ranked number 1 in the polls before suffering a series of losses that knocked them down and down and down in the rankings. Lindenwood added to their troubles yesterday by handing PSU a 44-33 loss in their own house.

PLAYOFFS? YOU’RE TALKING PLAYOFFS? ARE YOU SERIOUS? – The NJCAA started its postseason with playoff games yesterday and today. Balladeer’s Blog will devote an entire section further down in this article about all the postseason results from Saturday and this afternoon. The HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS (helmet at left) are hosting the COFFEYVILLE RED RAVENS in one of the Region 6 games today, with the GARDEN CITY COLLEGE BRONCBUSTERS traveling to face the storied BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES in the other Region 6 game of the afternoon.

TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA – The number 11 SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY FIGHTING BEES took it on the road and toppled the 10th ranked WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN in a 20-17 Instant Classic. This continued the late season pain for Statesmen fans who have come to dread the inevitable November stumble from their team.   ###   The ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS added to what is already a nightmarish season for the 16th ranked CC FIGHTING SAINTS, the most storied dynasty in NAIA football. RMC handed the Fighting Saints their FOURTH loss of the season (more games than CC usually loses in 2 or 3 years combined) with a nailbiting 31-28 homestand.   ###   The VALLEY CITY STATE VIKINGS edged the number 22 ROBERT MORRIS (IL) EAGLES in a 21-20 epic.   ###   … And the 23rd ranked KANSAS WESLEYAN COYOTES fell at Continue reading →

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October 30, 2012 · 8:59 pm

BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS: OCTOBER 30TH, 2012

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) – 1. GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS    ###    2. MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS    ###    3. MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS    ###    4. SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS (defending champions)    ###    5. MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS    ###    6. MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS (helmet at left) 

NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) – 1. NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE EAGLES    ###    2. GREENVILLE COLLEGE PANTHERS (2011 Victory Bowl runners- up – helmet at left)    ###    3. KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS    ###    4. MCMURRY WARHAWKS    ###    5. CHOWAN HAWKS    ###    6. SOUTHWEST ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS

NCAA DIVISION 2 – 1. COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY AT PUEBLO THUNDER WOLVES    ###    2. NORTHWEST MISSOURI BEARCATS    ###    3. MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MAVERICKS (helmet at left)    ###    4. Continue reading →

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October 28, 2012 · 2:00 pm

NOTEWORTHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM OCTOBER 27TH, 2012

SAGU RULES THE WORLD – As pointed out here at Balladeer’s Blog, each week of every college football season seems to find at least one NAIA football team upsetting a team from NCAA Division 2. For newbies to these divisions that’s like a 1AA (FCS) team upsetting a 1A (FBS) team. Yesterday the NAIA’s SOUTHWEST ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS kept that tradition alive by toppling D2’s PANHANDLE STATE AGGIES. In this Instant Classic the Lions emerged with a 28-27 win in Overtime.

NUMBER FIVE TAKES A FALL – The 5th ranked team in NCAA Division 2 football was upset in yesterday’s action. The number 13 SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY RED RAIDERS hosted their conference rivals the (5) BLOOMSBURG HUSKIES. In an epic gridiron struggle that the attendees will be telling their grandchildren about the conclusion of the game saw the Red Raiders come out on top by a final score of 49-42.

SKYHAWKS MAKE HISTORY – The NAIA’s POINT UNIVERSITY SKYHAWKS (helmet at left), are in their very first year of playing intercollegiate football. This weekend saw the Skyhawks notch their program’s first win.  Point University hosted the NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS and completely dismantled them in a 48-14 laugher. Congratulations to the Skyhawks (how can you not love that name) for this milestone accomplishment. 

TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA – The number 19 SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY RAIDERS (helmet at left) defeated the visiting 6th ranked CC FIGHTING SAINTS, the most famous gridiron dynasty in NAIA history, in a 52-49 game for the ages.    ###    The unranked DOANE TIGERS brought down the number 18 team, the HASTINGS BRONCOS, in a dominant 48-16 homestand.    ###    … And the 20th ranked CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS fell on the road to the BAKER WILDCATS in a 32-30 nailbiter.

TOP 25 UPSETS – NCAA DIVISION 2 – The unranked SLIPPERY ROCK ROCKETS were on the road against the number 11 CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS and pulled off a 28-26 upset in an unforgettable game.   ###   The GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY LAKERS were likewise unranked and on the road and toppled the 19th ranked HILLSDALE CHARGERS in a 42-23 affair that no doubt had Continue reading →

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October 21, 2012 · 2:04 pm

NOTEWORTHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM OCTOBER 20TH, 2012

A DYNASTY IN FREEFALL? – The (10) OSHKOSH TITANS (helmet at left) defeated the (5) WHITEWATER WARHAWKS in a 28-13 rout in their own house yesterday. Not only are the Warhawks the defending champions of NCAA Division 3 football, but they have been one of the two most dominant gridiron dynasties of the past decade. Whitewater has played in the past 7 D3 national championship games in a row against the other D3 football dynasty, Mount Union, and have won 4 of those 7. Oshkosh’s victory over the Warhawks was the 2nd loss for UWW this year, handing them more losses in one year than they had over the previous four seasons COMBINED! Earlier this season the Warhawks lost to unranked Buffalo State in one of their lowest-scoring games of the 21st Century. Congratulations to the Titans, of course, for this historic accomplishment!

HOW ‘BOUT THEM PIONEERS? – The NAIA’s WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS are in their first year of intercollegiate football since the 1940’s but have already logged their program’s SECOND victory of this inaugural season. Yesterday the Pioneers marked their new era’s very first Homecoming with a 58-37 smackdown of the SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LIONS. Earlier this year WBU notched their revived program’s initial win by taking down the HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS in a 27-23 nailbiter. To put this 2nd win this season in persepective, Point University and Bluefield are also in their debut seasons but haven’t notched their 1st win yet. Ave Maria University is in year number TWO of their football program but have yet to win a single game.  

TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA – The 9th ranked ST FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS were on the road against the number 5 WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN and seized another W for Coach Kevin Donley, already the winningest coach in NAIA football history. The final score was 28-19.   ###   … And the unranked DAKOTA WESLEYAN TIGERS toppled the 20th ranked DOANE TIGERS in a 28-24 Instant Classic.   ###   The scheduled game between the number 22 TABOR COLLEGE BLUE JAYS and the MCPHERSON BULLDOGS was canceled to mourn the loss of Tabor football player Brandon Brown.

TOP 25 UPSETS – NCAA DIVISION 2 – The 13th ranked MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS were visiting D2’s defending champions, the number 8 (previously number 1) PITTSBURG (KS) STATE GORILLAS who were fresh off their first loss of the year to Northwest Missouri. The Griffons knocked PSU down even further with a 63-14 annihilation.   ###   The (23) HILLSDALE CHARGERS plucked the feathers off the visiting 14th ranked team, the SAGINAW VALLEY STATE CARDINALS by a score of 34-17.   ###   The unranked HARDING BISONS (they go by Bisons, not Bison) played road warriors and brought down the number 15 OUACHITA BAPTIST TIGERS  34-14.   ###   The NORTHEASTERN STATE RIVERHAWKS edged the (21) CENTRAL MISSOURI MULES in a 24-23 homestand.   ###   The Continue reading →

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