Tag Archives: sports

November 25, 2012 · 12:01 am

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF AND KANZA BOWL RESULTS: NOVEMBER 24TH, 2012

*** NAIA PLAYOFFS ***

TEAM OF DESTINY? – The MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS have come into their own the past two seasons as the new masters of the Great Plains Athletic Conference after the University of Sioux Falls moved over to NCAA Division 2. The 2011 postseason ended with a disappointing early exit from the playoffs for the Mustangs. 2012, however, has found them increasingly referred to as this year’s “Team of Destiny” after a close call against the MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS last week and a tough Overtime win yesterday against the SOUTHERN OREGON RAIDERS. The final score in this Instant Classic was 47-44.

BACK IN THE FINAL FOUR – The MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS continue to make Balladeer’s Blog look like a gridiron Nostradamus for designating them as THE up-and- coming power in NAIA football a few years back. After another stellar season, much of which they spent in the number 1 spot in the rankings, the Knights have made it to the Final Four for the second year in a row. Yesterday Marian advanced with an authoritative 45-34 win over the SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS. 

THE HEART OF A CHAMPION – Chicago’s SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS, the defending champions of NAIA football, continue their defense of their title. Yesterday the Cougars joined Morningside and Marian in the 2012 Final Four by defeating the powerhouse UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS by a final score of 35-21.  

THE DEFENSIVE EPIC OF THE POSTSEASON – The MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS filled the last slot in this season’s Final Four in the NAIA. The Vikings had their hands full with the BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS, who toppled the top-ranked GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS last Saturday. MVC avoided being the second victims of a Bethel upset by winning this 10-7 game for the ages.

*** NCAA DIVISION 2 PLAYOFFS ***

REST OR RUST? – In 2010 and 2011 the 8 D2 teams who had a bye in the First Round wound up struggling, with 5 losing in 2010 and 4 in 2011. This year just 3 of the teams who came off a bye wound up losing. The MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS had the most impressive upset win, hammering the (2) HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY REDDIES  45-21.   ###   The IUP CRIMSON HAWKS had the toughest time toppling their upper seed opponent, bringing down the Continue reading →

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November 22, 2012 · 3:06 pm

2012 THANKSGIVING DAY GRIDIRON CLASH: TUSKEGEE VS ALABAMA STATE

Happy Thanksgiving! The HBCU’s Turkey Day gridiron rivalry between the TUSKEGEE GOLDEN TIGERS and the ALABAMA STATE HORNETS can’t help but be anything but flattering to Tuskegee. The Golden Tigers are, after all, Division 2 while the Hornets are 1AA (FCS if you’re a spineless conformist). In that respect it’s like the rivalry between D2’s ALBANY (GA) STATE GOLDEN RAMS and Continue reading →

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November 18, 2012 · 12:46 am

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF AND BOWL RESULTS: NOVEMBER 17TH, 2012

NCCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – The Victory Bowl is the signature gridiron event each year in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) with the winner being the national champion of the association. This year’s matchup was between the GREENVILLE COLLEGE PANTHERS (helmet at left) and the NORTHWESTERN (MN) COLLEGE EAGLES and was an Instant Classic. In overtime the Panthers emerged with a 28-27 victory. A missed extra point by the Eagles spelled the difference. Congratulations to Greenville College!

*****   NAIA PLAYOFFS   *****

UPSET IN GEORGETOWN – The NUMBER ONE TEAM in the nation, the undefeated GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS, suffered the upset of the First Round today at the hands of the BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. Bethel defied all the odds and proved all the prognosticators wrong with a 45-44 victory over the Tigers in this undeniable Instant Classic.   ###   The SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY RAIDERS stormed into Davenport, IA to take on the ever-tough SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY FIGHTING BEES and came away with an authoritative 45-28 upset win of their own.

BLOWOUTS – The ST XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS (helmet at left), the defending champions of NAIA football,  breezed through their First Round matchup, mauling the WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN by a score of 31-0.   ###   The UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS kicked around the MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS to the tune of 42-24.   ###   … And the MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS plundered and pillaged the OTTAWA (KS) BRAVES  56-21.

CLOSE GAMES – The MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS (helmet at left) had more of a fight on their hands than they anticipated from the MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS. Morningside emerged with a tight 40-35 victory that may serve as a wakeup call.   ###   The ST FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS held on to win a 22-17 Instant Classic against the BAKER WILDCATS.   ###   … And the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS brought an end to the 2012 season for the NORTHWESTERN (IA) RED RAIDERS by a score of 42-32.   

*****   NCAA DIVISION 2 PLAYOFFS   *****

MARATHON GAME OF THE DAY – This First Round matchup in D2 went to THREE OVERTIMES before a victor emerged. The MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS (helmet at left) withstood an invasion from the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AT DULUTH BULLDOGS, who won two D2 championships in recent years. The final score was Griffons  57, Bulldogs  55. Continue reading →

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November 16, 2012 · 1:02 am

2012 CCCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS AND BOWL MATCHUPS

Balladeer’s Blog concludes its preview of postseason college football in the divisions covered here. The CCCAA Championship Game will be held December 8th, and here are the playoff games and Bowls we’ll be treated to along the way. The subdivisions of the CCCAA are the SCFA and NCFA with the winners of those subdivisions facing each other in the title game.

NATIONAL BOWL – November 17th – The MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE MOUNTIES (helmet at left) are the defending champions of the SCFA but lost to CCSF in the CCCAA title game last year. The Mounties took the National Central Conference crown and in the National Bowl will take on the SADDLEBACK COLLEGE GAUCHOS, the champions of the National Southern Conference. This game is the first semifinal in the SCFA.

BEACH BOWL – November 17th – This Bowl serves as the second semifinal game in the SCFA for 2012. The BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE RENEGADES come in as the Wildcard Team and square off against the VENTURA COLLEGE PIRATES (helmet at left), champions of the National Northern Conference. Like the National Bowl this game will kick off at Continue reading →

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November 15, 2012 · 12:58 am

2012 NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND BOWL MATCHUPS

Balladeer’s Blog presents its look at the NJCAA’s postseason matchups for 2012. The top-ranked IOWA WESTERN REIVERS (logo at left) and the number 2 BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES square off for the championship in the Graphic Edge Bowl on December 2nd. The Reivers football program has only been around for 4 years and they are already appearing in the title game! The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are a traditional NJCAA football power and were in the championship game as recently as 2010, when they lost to the Navarro College Bulldogs. It’s the up-and- comers against the veterans for the NJCAA title! And now for the other Bowl matchups: 

CARRIER DOME BOWL – The 3rd ranked ASA COLLEGE AVENGERS (helmet at left) are also fairly new to the gridiron and are making their very first Bowl appearance in this inaugural event in Syracuse, NY. The opponents for the Avengers in this game will be the storied number 4 SNOW COLLEGE BADGERS, providing NJCAA fans with another “spunk vs experience” Bowl showdown. Look for this game on December 1st.

SALT CITY BOWL – The HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS (helmet at left) are 3-time Salt City Bowl champions and come into this year’s matchup trying to make it 4 in a row. Their opponent this time around will be the IOWA CENTRAL TRITONS on December 1st. The Blue Dragons are making their 17th Bowl appearance overall, while the Tritons are appearing in Continue reading →

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November 14, 2012 · 12:20 am

2012 D3 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TEAMS

For the past 7 years in a row the NCAA D3 championship game had been monopolized by the Whitewater Warhawks and the Mt Union Purple Raiders, who were the last 2 teams standing in the playoffs all those years. The Warhawks won 4 of those clashes, 3 of them in a row, but had a rough 2012 season and have missed making the playoffs at all this time around. Here are the 32 teams that make up the 2012 playoff field for D3, in 4 regions by top seed. This Saturday’s matchups are listed. I’ll have the NJCAA and CCCAA postseason matchups next.

MT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS (helmet at left) vs the CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS   ###   JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BLUE JAYS vs the WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS   ###   SALISBURY UNIVERSITY SEAGULLS vs the ROWAN UNIVERSITY PROFS   ###   WIDENER PRIDE vs the BRIDGEWATER STATE COLLEGE BEARS

MARY HARDIN BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS (helmet at left) vs the LOUISIANA COLLEGE WILDCATS   ###   ADRIAN BULLDOGS vs the FRANKLIN COLLEGE GRIZZLIES   ###   CORTLAND STATE RED DRAGONS vs the FRAMINGHAM STATE RAMS   ###   WESLEY WOLVERINES vs the MOUNT IDA MUSTANGS Continue reading →

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November 13, 2012 · 12:11 am

DIVISION 2 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TEAMS FOR 2012

For newbies to Division 2’s playoff format Balladeer’s Blog offers this brief layout: 24 teams make the playoff field. That field is divided into 4 regions with the top 2 seeds in each region getting a bye in the 1st Round, though in recent years the teams with a bye have done dreadfully in the 2nd round. Round 1 will take place this Saturday, November 17th. The defending D2 champs, the Pittsburg (KS) State Gorillas, did not make the playoffs. I’ll have the D3, NJCAA and CCCAA posteason matchups next.

The CSU-PUEBLO THUNDERWOLVES (helmet at left) are the overall number 1 seed and are in Region 4. The ASHLAND EAGLES are the region’s number 2 seed. Region 4’s First Round Games: (3) CHADRON STATE UNIVERSITY EAGLES vs the (6) WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFALOES   ###   … And the (4) INDIANAPOLIS GREYHOUNDS vs the (5) MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS.

The MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS (helmet at left) are Region 3’s 1 seed with the HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY REDDIES as the 2 seed. Region 3’s First Round Games: (3) MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS vs the (6) UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AT DULUTH BULLDOGS   ###   … And the (4) NORTHWEST MISSOURI BEARCATS vs the (5) HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON. 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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