Football Championship Series First Round Preview
Nov 18, 2011
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sixteen teams will begin action in the 2011 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) on Saturday with eight games in the First Round. All games will be hosted on-campus with nine teams being a repeat qualifier from the 2010 First Round. Saturday’s winners will advance to quarterfinal play on Nov. 26. Quarterfinal pairings will be announced on Sunday.
Since 2000, the home teams in the First Round stand 66-22 overall. Last year, the home clubs went 5-3, while the 2009 First Round hosts went 8-0 for the first time since 1997.
Marian (Ind.), who has held the No. 1 spot in the Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the final two weeks of the regular season, will host a playoff game for the first time in school history. One of two undefeated teams remaining at 10-0, the Knights hosts Grand View (Iowa) at 1 p.m. EST. The game will pair two of the NAIA’s stingiest defenses as Marian is first in total defense (202.7 yapg) and the Vikings (8-3) are third (231.6 yapg).
Defending national champion Carroll (Mont.) (10-1) and Valley City State (9-1) are the only teams in this year’s field that have met previously in FCS action. The Fighting Saints won First Round contests at Valley City, N.D., in 2000 and at home in 2001. Carroll is 21-2 in its last 23 FCS home games and is playing in its 12th-straight FCS. The Fighting Saints are riding an 11-game First Round winning streak. The Vikings are 1-6 all-time in the FCS having last played in 2001. Kick-off from Helena, Mont., is set for 12:07 p.m. MST.
Undefeated at 10-0, Georgetown (Ky.), is playing in its 17th overall FCS, which is the second most all-time. The Tigers welcome 11-time qualifier Benedictine (Kan.) to Toyota Stadium at 1:30 p.m. EST. Georgetown has won this year in convincing fashion with a 28-plus point margin in nine of 10 victories. Both team defenses limit scoring opportunities as the Ravens (9-2) are third in scoring defense (11.6 papg) and Georgetown is fifth (12.8 papg).
Southern Nazarene (Okla.) is one of two first-timers in this year’s field (along with Grand View). The Crimson Storm (9-2), who won their first-ever Central States Football League Championship, head to MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (9-1) for a 1 p.m. CST start. The Pioneers are playing in their ninth overall FCS and fifth-straight. One of three teams out of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), MidAmerica Nazarene is 4-2 all-time in Olathe, Kan.
Relative newcomer Bethel (Tenn.) visits Saint Xavier (Ill.) with kick-off at 1 p.m. CST. The Wildcats (8-2), who are playing in their third FCS, have won both of their previous First Round games (2006 & 2007). They will face a Cougar squad that has been one of the most successful NAIA programs in the last three years. With a 10-1 record and ranked No.1 in the Top 25 for eight-straight weeks, St. Xavier is 36-3 overall since 2009. That win total is one shy of Carroll’s high mark of 37 victories.
Morningside (Iowa) enjoys a First Round home game for the fourth-consecutive year as St. Francis (Ill.) comes to Sioux City, Iowa, at 1 p.m. CST. Overall, the Mustangs (9-1) are riding a six-game First Round winning streak and have appeared in eight-straight playoffs. St. Francis (9-2) is snapping a 25-year FCS drought and looking for its first postseason victory. Two-time NAIA Offensive Player of the Week E.J. White is first in the NAIA in pass efficiency (170.1) and 13th in total offense (257.8 ypg).
Two teams with playoff experience will meet in Marshall, Mo., for a Noon CST kick-off. Saint Francis (Ind.) (8-2), who enters its 12th FCS, has won eight-straight First Round games. The 18 Cougar playoff wins is the third most among this year’s qualifiers. Champions of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Missouri Valley (9-1) enjoys its ninth FCS trip. The Vikings are strong on the defensive side, ranking second in total defense (204.7 yapg) and third in both passing (130.7 yapg) and rushing defense (74.0 yapg).
Azusa Pacific (Calif.) will host its first playoff game since 2005 when the Ottawa (Kan.) Braves invade Cougar Stadium at 5 p.m. PST. The Cougars (8-2) are 6-2 all-time in home playoff games and are playing in their eighth FCS. They are members of the Independent Group and are 8-0 against NAIA schools with both losses coming against NCAA competition (San Diego (Calif.) and Lindenwood (Mo.)). Riding a nine-game win streak on the year, Ottawa (9-2) is looking to improve upon a 1-5 FCS record in its sixth overall trip.
The 56th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship is scheduled for Dec. 17 in Rome, Ga. Rome-Floyd County and Shorter (Ga.) University will host the event at Barron Stadium for the fourth-straight year. The event will be televised live on CBS Sports Television with kickoff slated for 4:30 p.m. EST. For ticket information, call 1-800-858-7601.
2011 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES QUICK FACTS
• Defending national champion Carroll (Mont.) holds six NAIA National Championships, which ties former NAIA member Westminster (Pa.) for the second-most all-time. The seventh title would tie Texas A&I for the most in FCS history. Carroll is the only team that has won at least three-straight titles, winning four in-a-row from 2002-05.
• Marian and Georgetown hold the longest NAIA active win streak with 10-straight wins as they head into the FCS. Ottawa (Kan.) is right behind with nine-straight wins.
• The meeting between Benedictine (Kan.) and Georgetown (Ky.) is one of playoff veterans. The 28 combined FCS appearances (Georgetown – 17; Benedictine – 11) are the most between two schools in this year’s field.
• There are three teams from 2010 that are playoff regulars that did not earn a trip this year: Cumberlands (Ky.) (played in last four-straight playoffs), Dickinson State (N.D.) (played in 15 overall playoffs) and Northwestern Oklahoma State (played in 12 overall playoffs).
• There are nine repeat programs from the 2010 FCS First Round.
• Three teams in this year’s FCS have won at least one National Championship: Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (1), Carroll (6) and Georgetown (Ky.) 3).
• The FCS has four of the top-five active coaching wins leaders, including Saint Francis’ (Ind.) Kevin Donley. In his 34th season, Donley is 254-116-1 and one win away from tying the active wins leader, Hank Biesiot of Dickinson State (N.D.).
• Carroll (12) holds the longest active streak of postseason appearances, followed by Morningside (Iowa) (8) and Mid-America Nazarene (Kan.) (5).
• With one more FCS victory, Carroll would earn its 37th postseason win and set the all-time mark. In 19 previous trips, Carroll is 36-13.
• Four teams are making the trip to the Football Championship Series for at least the 10th time.
• Carroll, Georgetown (Ky.) and Saint Francis are this year’s qualifiers with at least 10 wins all-time in the Football Championship Series.
• Of the teams that have made at least one previous trip, St. Francis (Ill.) is the only program searching for its first victory.
• The Mid-States Football Association Mideast Division (MSFA – Mideast) and Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) landed the most squads in the 16-team field. The MSFA – Mideast is represented by Marian, Saint Francis and Saint Xavier (Ill.). Playing from the HAAC is Benedictine (Kan.), MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and Missouri Valley.
• Two teams will enter the FCS with an undefeated record, Georgetown and Marian. That is the fewest since 2002.
Since 2000, the home teams in the First Round stand 66-22 overall. Last year, the home clubs went 5-3, while the 2009 First Round hosts went 8-0 for the first time since 1997.
Marian (Ind.), who has held the No. 1 spot in the Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the final two weeks of the regular season, will host a playoff game for the first time in school history. One of two undefeated teams remaining at 10-0, the Knights hosts Grand View (Iowa) at 1 p.m. EST. The game will pair two of the NAIA’s stingiest defenses as Marian is first in total defense (202.7 yapg) and the Vikings (8-3) are third (231.6 yapg).
Defending national champion Carroll (Mont.) (10-1) and Valley City State (9-1) are the only teams in this year’s field that have met previously in FCS action. The Fighting Saints won First Round contests at Valley City, N.D., in 2000 and at home in 2001. Carroll is 21-2 in its last 23 FCS home games and is playing in its 12th-straight FCS. The Fighting Saints are riding an 11-game First Round winning streak. The Vikings are 1-6 all-time in the FCS having last played in 2001. Kick-off from Helena, Mont., is set for 12:07 p.m. MST.
Undefeated at 10-0, Georgetown (Ky.), is playing in its 17th overall FCS, which is the second most all-time. The Tigers welcome 11-time qualifier Benedictine (Kan.) to Toyota Stadium at 1:30 p.m. EST. Georgetown has won this year in convincing fashion with a 28-plus point margin in nine of 10 victories. Both team defenses limit scoring opportunities as the Ravens (9-2) are third in scoring defense (11.6 papg) and Georgetown is fifth (12.8 papg).
Southern Nazarene (Okla.) is one of two first-timers in this year’s field (along with Grand View). The Crimson Storm (9-2), who won their first-ever Central States Football League Championship, head to MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (9-1) for a 1 p.m. CST start. The Pioneers are playing in their ninth overall FCS and fifth-straight. One of three teams out of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), MidAmerica Nazarene is 4-2 all-time in Olathe, Kan.
Relative newcomer Bethel (Tenn.) visits Saint Xavier (Ill.) with kick-off at 1 p.m. CST. The Wildcats (8-2), who are playing in their third FCS, have won both of their previous First Round games (2006 & 2007). They will face a Cougar squad that has been one of the most successful NAIA programs in the last three years. With a 10-1 record and ranked No.1 in the Top 25 for eight-straight weeks, St. Xavier is 36-3 overall since 2009. That win total is one shy of Carroll’s high mark of 37 victories.
Morningside (Iowa) enjoys a First Round home game for the fourth-consecutive year as St. Francis (Ill.) comes to Sioux City, Iowa, at 1 p.m. CST. Overall, the Mustangs (9-1) are riding a six-game First Round winning streak and have appeared in eight-straight playoffs. St. Francis (9-2) is snapping a 25-year FCS drought and looking for its first postseason victory. Two-time NAIA Offensive Player of the Week E.J. White is first in the NAIA in pass efficiency (170.1) and 13th in total offense (257.8 ypg).
Two teams with playoff experience will meet in Marshall, Mo., for a Noon CST kick-off. Saint Francis (Ind.) (8-2), who enters its 12th FCS, has won eight-straight First Round games. The 18 Cougar playoff wins is the third most among this year’s qualifiers. Champions of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Missouri Valley (9-1) enjoys its ninth FCS trip. The Vikings are strong on the defensive side, ranking second in total defense (204.7 yapg) and third in both passing (130.7 yapg) and rushing defense (74.0 yapg).
Azusa Pacific (Calif.) will host its first playoff game since 2005 when the Ottawa (Kan.) Braves invade Cougar Stadium at 5 p.m. PST. The Cougars (8-2) are 6-2 all-time in home playoff games and are playing in their eighth FCS. They are members of the Independent Group and are 8-0 against NAIA schools with both losses coming against NCAA competition (San Diego (Calif.) and Lindenwood (Mo.)). Riding a nine-game win streak on the year, Ottawa (9-2) is looking to improve upon a 1-5 FCS record in its sixth overall trip.
The 56th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship is scheduled for Dec. 17 in Rome, Ga. Rome-Floyd County and Shorter (Ga.) University will host the event at Barron Stadium for the fourth-straight year. The event will be televised live on CBS Sports Television with kickoff slated for 4:30 p.m. EST. For ticket information, call 1-800-858-7601.
2011 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES QUICK FACTS
• Defending national champion Carroll (Mont.) holds six NAIA National Championships, which ties former NAIA member Westminster (Pa.) for the second-most all-time. The seventh title would tie Texas A&I for the most in FCS history. Carroll is the only team that has won at least three-straight titles, winning four in-a-row from 2002-05.
• Marian and Georgetown hold the longest NAIA active win streak with 10-straight wins as they head into the FCS. Ottawa (Kan.) is right behind with nine-straight wins.
• The meeting between Benedictine (Kan.) and Georgetown (Ky.) is one of playoff veterans. The 28 combined FCS appearances (Georgetown – 17; Benedictine – 11) are the most between two schools in this year’s field.
• There are three teams from 2010 that are playoff regulars that did not earn a trip this year: Cumberlands (Ky.) (played in last four-straight playoffs), Dickinson State (N.D.) (played in 15 overall playoffs) and Northwestern Oklahoma State (played in 12 overall playoffs).
• There are nine repeat programs from the 2010 FCS First Round.
• Three teams in this year’s FCS have won at least one National Championship: Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (1), Carroll (6) and Georgetown (Ky.) 3).
• The FCS has four of the top-five active coaching wins leaders, including Saint Francis’ (Ind.) Kevin Donley. In his 34th season, Donley is 254-116-1 and one win away from tying the active wins leader, Hank Biesiot of Dickinson State (N.D.).
• Carroll (12) holds the longest active streak of postseason appearances, followed by Morningside (Iowa) (8) and Mid-America Nazarene (Kan.) (5).
• With one more FCS victory, Carroll would earn its 37th postseason win and set the all-time mark. In 19 previous trips, Carroll is 36-13.
• Four teams are making the trip to the Football Championship Series for at least the 10th time.
• Carroll, Georgetown (Ky.) and Saint Francis are this year’s qualifiers with at least 10 wins all-time in the Football Championship Series.
• Of the teams that have made at least one previous trip, St. Francis (Ill.) is the only program searching for its first victory.
• The Mid-States Football Association Mideast Division (MSFA – Mideast) and Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) landed the most squads in the 16-team field. The MSFA – Mideast is represented by Marian, Saint Francis and Saint Xavier (Ill.). Playing from the HAAC is Benedictine (Kan.), MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and Missouri Valley.
• Two teams will enter the FCS with an undefeated record, Georgetown and Marian. That is the fewest since 2002.
