The 2018 college football season kicked off last night in the divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog!
NAIA
NUMBER TWO TAKES A FALL – The number 2 team in the nation – the REINHARDT UNIVERSITY EAGLES (Should be the Rottweilers) – traveled to face the BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. The Wildcats put the Eagles on Upset Alert early on by seizing a 21-7 1st Quarter lead.
By Halftime Reinhardt University had pulled to within 24-21, calming their fans for a time. After the break Bethel University’s Defense stepped up big, shutting out the Eagles the entire 2nd Half while adding 7 more points of their own for a 31-21 shocker.
CRUSADE IN MISSOURI – The EVANGEL UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS also knocked off a ranked visitor last night. They welcomed the 22nd ranked SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS and made their own case to be ranked. The Crusaders led the Lions 7-0 after 1 Quarter of play, then 21-3 at the Half. A scoreless 3rd Quarter was followed by an action-packed 4th to make the final score Evangel U 28 SAGU 9.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH – The number 20 ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS hosted the CARROLL (MT) COLLEGE FIGHTING SAINTS last night. After a scoreless opening Quarter the Battlin’ Bears took a 13-0 lead into the locker room at Halftime. Rocky Mountain College made it a 19-0 game to end the 3rd Quarter while the Defenses shone in the 4th to make 19-zip the final score as well. Continue reading
The Hutchinson College Football team opens its 87th season tonight as the Ellsworth Panthers come to Gowans Stadium. 
RANKINGS: 1. TEXAS A&M AT COMMERCE LIONS (Defending National Champions) ### 2. UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA ARGONAUTS ### 3. INDIANA UNIVERSITY – PENNSYLVANIA CRIMSON HAWKS ### 4. MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS ### 5. FORT HAYS STATE TIGERS ### 
6. NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS ### 7. FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS ### 8. UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS GREYHOUNDS ### 9. GRAND VALLEY STATE LAKERS ### 10. HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON ### 
The 20th ranked ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS will be hosting the CARROLL (MT) COLLEGE FIGHTING SAINTS. It’s a risky opening week clash between two Frontier Conference teams. 
The number 22 team in the nation, the SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS, will take it on the road against the (RV) EVANGEL UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS. Crucial early season positioning is on the line in this battle. 
At number 25 are the DAKOTA STATE TROJANS, who travel to face the DAKOTA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS (should be the Blue Tigers). This matchup will be the Midco Sports Network’s Game of the Week. 
1. UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS (Defending Champions) ### 2. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS ### 3. UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR CRUSADERS ### 4. UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS (MN) TOMMIES ### 5. LINFIELD COLLEGE WILDCATS ### 
6. FROSTBURG STATE BOBCATS ### 7. WARTBURG COLLEGE KNIGHTS ### 8. WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE PRESIDENTS ### 9. SAINT JOHN’S UNIVERSITY JOHNNIES ### 10. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY AGGIES ### 
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) – 1. MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS ### 2. UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS (Defending Champions) ### 3. REINHARDT UNIVERSITY EAGLES ### 4. LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS ### 5. NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS ### 
6. SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY FIRE ### 7. DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS ### 8. ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM ### 9. MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS ### 10. CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY PHOENIX ### 
WICHITA – There was one overriding theme on Friday at the 2018 Jayhawk Conference Football Media Day at Newman University.
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association)
USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association)
ERSKINE COLLEGE 
GENEVA COLLEGE 
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) 
NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association)
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