*** NAIA ***
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.
The 1st Quarter ended with the Cougars on top 10-3 and things only got worse for the Wildcats from there. By Halftime Saint Francis had expanded their lead to 17-3 before both teams notched a Touchdown in the 3rd Quarter. The Cougars outscored Baker 14-7 in the 4th to take the 2016 title by a final score of 38-17.
*** NCAA DIVISION TWO ***
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. Continue reading
Comment: Why aren’t there more teams called Troopers?
Comment: There’s something about the stark simplicity of these helmets paired up with the unique name the Farmers. 
Comment: Yes, that’s Eisenhower as in General and President Dwight Eisenhower aka “Ike.” 
USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) DIVISION ONE 1. WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY SHOCK ### 2. CONCORDIA (AL) COLLEGE HORNETS ### 3. ROCHESTER COLLEGE WARRIORS ### 4. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FORT KENT BENGALS ### 5. WEST VIRGINIA TECH GOLDEN BEARS ### 
6. OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS ### 7. NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS ### 8. SUNY-CANTON KANGAROOS ### 9. FLORIDA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CONQUISTADORS ### 10. ILLINOIS TECH SCARLET HAWKS ###
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. 
Rival teams Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are both hopeful that they will make it to the college play offs, although they have mountainous challenges to overcome before they get there. Their performance in recent games has seen their rankings improve, which is a good sign for both teams. 
USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association)
HIGH DESERT BOWL – In this game the ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE MARAUDERS took on the VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE RAMS. The teams went blow for blow, with a 7-7 1st Quarter tie and a 14-14 Halftime draw. After the break the Marauders got some separation from the Rams, ultimately winning the game 35-21. 
GOLDEN STATE BOWL – The MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE MOUNTIES clashed with the COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS COUGARS in this year’s Golden State Bowl. The Mounties actually fell behind 3-0 in the 1st Quarter but never let the Cougars score again. By the midpoint Mount SAC led 17-3 and in the 2nd Half coasted to a 27-3 victory. 
PRESIDENTS BOWL – The two teams competing in this Bowl Game were the WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE PRESIDENTS and the COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT GOLDEN EAGLES. The Presidents trailed the Golden Eagles 17-7 in the 1st Quarter and 24-13 by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Washington & Jefferson College facing a 31-16 deficit. The Presidents exploded for 22 unanswered points in the 4th Quarter for a 38-31 comeback win. 
LEGACY BOWL – This game pitted the SALISBURY UNIVERSITY SEA GULLS against the CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY TARTANS. After a 7-7 1st Quarter tie the Sea Gulls seized control in the 2nd Quarter and took a 24-7 lead into the locker room. In the 2nd Half Salisbury University outscored the Tartans 28-13 for a blowout win by a count of 52-20. 
Balladeer's Blog 