KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (FCS Schedule) Southern Oregon and Marian (Ind.) punched tickets to the 59th annual NAIA Football National Championship with semifinal victories today in the 2014 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS). Southern Oregon won a shootout against Saint Xavier (Ill.), 62-37, while Marian downed Morningside (Iowa), 41-21, in a rematch of the 2012 title game.

Both road teams won in the FCS semifinals for the first time in NAIA history since the association moved back to one division in 1997. During that time, host schools own a 194-59 (.767) record in the FCS, including a 27-9 (.750) mark in the semifinals. Last season, semifinal hosts were 2-0 – the 10th time since 1997 that both home teams have advanced to the banner game.

For the first time in the 59-year history of the event, the NAIA Football Championship will travel to Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Friday Dec. 19. The City of Daytona Beach is serving as the host for the contest, which will air for the first time ever live on ESPNU. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST.

SEMIFINAL GAME CAPSULS
Game 1 – Southern Oregon (12-2) def. Saint Xavier (Ill.) (10-3), 62-37

Southern Oregon made program history Saturday with a 62-37 win against Saint Xavier (Ill.) in the FCS semifinals. The win is the first ever for the Raiders, who prior to 2014 had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals of the event.

Quarterback Austin Dodge, who owns NAIA career records in four offensive categories, threw for more than 400 yards for the second-straight game. The three-time Frontier Conference Player of the Year completed 32-of-51 passes for 460 yards and a near season-high five touchdowns. He also ran for 30 yards and a touchdown in the game.

Wide receivers Ryan Retzlaff and Dylan Young both recorded 100-plus yard performances to lead the Southern Oregon receiving corps. Retzlaff had a game-high 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown, while Young tallied six catches for 108 yards and a score.

Saint Xavier quarterback John Rode was solid in the loss. He threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Carroll was his favorite target with six catches for a season-high 136 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter.

With the loss, Saint Xavier falls to 15-8 all-time in the FCS and has its home playoff winning streak ended at 10-straight. The Cougars end the season with a 10-3 record.

Game 2 – Marian (Ind.) (11-2) def. Morningside (Iowa) (11-2), 41-21

In a rematch of the 2012 National Championship, Marian (Ind.) used a stout defensive effort to thwart Morningside (Iowa), 41-21, Saturday afternoon in Sioux City, Iowa. With the win, the Knights improve to 2-1 all-time in the FCS semifinals with their other victory coming in 2012.

Marian’s defensive effort was led by defensive back Eric Price, who ended the contest with three interceptions and six tackles. Garrett Isch also had an interception, while Beau Shields forced a fumble as the Knights totaled five turnovers.

Offensively for Marian, running back Tevin Lake led the charge with a season-high 159 yards on 36 carries, including a pair of 1-yard touchdown scampers. The four-year starter has run for more than 1,000 yards in every season at Marian and with today’s performance boasts 5,377 career yards – seventh most on the NAIA’s career rushing list.

Overall, the Knights held a 530-497 advantage in total yards.

Despite the loss, Morningside running back Brandon Wegher set the NAIA single-season rushing record with 151 yards and two touchdowns. He ends the season with 2,610 rushing yards, 106 yards more than the previous record of 2,504 set by Northwestern’s (Iowa) Dave Perrigo in 2000.

With the loss, Morningside falls to 11-3 all-time in FCS home games and ends the year with an 11-2 record.

For more information on the NAIA Football Championship Series and National Championship, click here.