NAIA
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS were hosting the defending National Champions – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS COUGARS. Just as much as the Mustangs were fighting USF they were also fighting their history of playoff chokes in recent years.
After nabbing a quick 21-7 1st Quarter lead Morningside College saw the Cougars pull to 28-14 at Halftime and 28-21 in the 3rd before forcing Overtime with a 28-28 tie to end the 4th. This time the Mustangs didn’t choke and after shutting out USF in the extra session they scored a TD for a 34-28 OT triumph.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS traveled to take on the KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COYOTES. Not only did this clash end in an Upset but it was an odd tale of two halves. By the break the Coyotes had come back from being down 13-0 in the opening Quarter to trailing the Ravens by a much tighter score of 20-14. Continue reading
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Last night the Defending National Champions – the EAST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE LIONS – took on the 2016 Champions – the GARDEN CITY COLLEGE BRONCBUSTERS – for the 2018 title. Defense was the name of the game, with the Lions on top just 3-0 in the 1st Quarter and 10-0 at Halftime. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 
BRONCBUSTERS. 
SALT CITY BOWL 
NUMBER THREE GETS TAKEN DOWN – In NCAA Division Two the 6th ranked VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS played host to the nation’s number 3 UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA WOLVES. A 10-7 1st Quarter edge for the Blazers turned into a 34-21 lead at Halftime. After the break Valdosta State coasted to a 47-31 upset of the Wolves. 
DEFEAT FOR TWO NUMBER NINES – Over in the NAIA the number 14 BAKER UNIVERSITY WILDCATS took the field against the visiting 9th ranked EVANGEL UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS and toppled them 19-7 ### And down in NCAA Division Three the (22) BETHEL (MN) ROYALS downed the (9) UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS TOMMIES 21-15. 
SAINTS PRESERVE US! – NCAA Division Three’s THOMAS MORE COLLEGE SAINTS borrowed a page from NAIA football yesterday by defeating a team from NCAA Division TWO – in this case the LAKE ERIE COLLEGE STORM. By Halftime the Saints had compiled a 28-0 advantage, then coasted to a 44-zip shutout of the higher division team. 
ANOTHER NUMBER FIVE TAKES A FALL – In NCAA Division Two the number 22 FORT HAYS STATE TIGERS were on the road against the country’s 5th ranked NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS. The Tigers grabbed a quick 14-0 lead in the 1st Quarter but the Bearcats cut that to just 14-10 by the Half. In the 3rd Quarter the Fort Hays State edge was whittled down to 17-16, which wound up as the final tally, too, since the Defenses dominated the 4th. 
NUMBER TEN FALLS – In D3 the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT STEVENS POINT POINTERS welcomed the number 10 team in the nation – the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS. A 14-14 Halftime tie became a 17-14 edge for the Pointers to end the 3rd Quarter. From there UW-Stevens Point pulled off a 27-21 Upset. 
USCAA GAME OF THE WEEK – The NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) traveled to face the COPPIN STATE EAGLES (C) in the Game of the Week in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). The Builders parlayed a 13-0 lead at the break into an authoritative 33-0 smackdown. 
THEIR OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Up in the NAIA the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES played host to the country’s number 18 EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS. The Coyotes held a 27-14 Halftime advantage, then got more and more separation from the Mountaineers. The final tally was College of Idaho 48 Eastern Oregon University 24. 
TOPPLING NUMBER FOUR – Yesterday the NAIA’s CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY PHOENIX hosted the number 4 team in the nation – the LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS. The Phoenix put the Blue Raiders on Upset Alert with a 10-7 Halftime lead that became 17-13 to end the 3rd Quarter. In the end Cumberland U made it a happy Senior Day by holding on for a 24-21 triumph. 
MARATHON GAME OF THE DAY – Down in NCAA Division Three came Saturday’s longest game. The WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE COLONIALS faced the visiting BRIDGEWATER STATE BEARS and, though trailing 21-14 at the break, came back to force Overtime with a 28-28 tie. The 1st OT ended in a 34-34 deadlock, neither team scored in the 2nd and the 3rd ended at 42-42. In the FOURTH OVERTIME the Colonials won it 50-48.
NUMBER SIX GETS DEEP-SIXED – Back in the NAIA the MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS took it on the road against the country’s 6th ranked EVANGEL UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS. The Pioneers were chasing the Crusaders 19-13 at the Half but in the 4th Quarter they outscored EU 20-7 for a stunning 33-26 Upset victory. 