KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Road to Durham highlights the postseason journey of the two teams who will compete in the 2024 NAIA Football National Championship Game. The 69th Annual Battle for the Red Banner will be played at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, N.C. and hosted by the Durham Sports Commission. For more information, click here.

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT INFORMATION

The 69th Annual NAIA Football National Championship culminates on December 21st with undefeated Grand View (Iowa) aiming to knock off the undefeated reigning champions of Keiser (Fla.). Both teams are 1-1 in the Red Banner finale in program history and enter the championship game undefeated - Keiser is 12-0 and Grand View is 13-0. 

NAIA Football Championship Game will be broadcast for FREE on Urban Edge Network and the newly redesigned NAIA Network. Our broadcast will be highlighted by play-by-play commentator Drew Fellios, color commentator Forrest Conolly, sideline reporter Hayley Lewis, producer Josh Monk and Kyle Lang from Triangle Video Productions.

SEMIFINAL ROUND - DECEMBER 14TH

#1 Keiser (Fla.) def. #9 Benedictine (Kan.), 42-38

• The Seahawks scored 21 unanswered in the fourth quarter to head back to Durham for the third straight season
• Keiser racked up 563 total yards of offense and 7.7 yards per play
• They overcame four total fumbles, two lost fumbles, and an interception to continue the opportunity to defend their Red Banner crown
• Shea Spencer tallied 412 total yards and four scores through the air and 72 yards on the ground
• D'Andre Golden had 140 receiving yards and Refeno Vangates added 93 for KU
• Nico Cavanillas was perfect in the game, making all six of his kicks

#2 Grand View (Iowa) def. #6 Morningside (Iowa), 36-13

• The Vikings ran up 432 total yards on 59 total plays while the Mustangs recorded 340 on 75 total offensive snaps
• Grand View netted 212 on the ground while the clash of styles was evident as Morningside posted 266 passing yards
• Each team had a turnover as Grand View lost a fumble and Morningside threw an interception
• Jackson Waring totaled 220 passing yards and a game high 83 rushing yards; Aisea Toki caught six balls for 145 yards which was the most in the contest
• The Vikings had six pass breakups including two each by Skylar James and Kellen Moore 

QUARTERFINAL ROUND - DECEMBER 7TH

#1 Keiser (Fla.) def. #10 Georgetown (Ky.), 38-22

• The reigning national champions proved why they were ranked No. 1 all season with a decisive win in the third round of the FCS
• Shea Spencer threw for 239 yards and four touchdowns while also adding 45 yards on the ground
• The Seahawks were led in receiving by D'Andre Golden with 69 yards and Andrew Burnette with 95 yards rushing
• Keiser (Fla.) controlled the ball for 39:37 of the 60 minute game

#2 Grand View (Iowa) def. #11 Northwestern (Iowa), 17-0

• Jackson Waring had two rushing touchdowns, 47 total yards on the ground, and 154 through the air
• Tate Stine-Smith recorded a game high 83 receiving yards on five catches for the Vikings
• The defensive battle was highlighted by six tackles for a loss, five pass breakups, and one fumble recovery by the Vikings 
• Grand View is back into the semifinals of the FCS after missing out in 2023

SECOND ROUND - NOVEMBER 30TH

#1 Keiser (Fla.) def. #20 Pikeville (Ky.), 56-21

• The reigning national champions cruised in their first test for a repeat crown
• Between the second and fourth quarters, the Seahawks scored 35 unanswered points
• Keiser tallied 8.0 yards per carry, led by Andrew Burnette and Jaden Miller who each ran for over 100 yards
• KU's defense was swarming as they knocked down five passes and picked off one 

#2 Grand View (Iowa) def. #16 Friends (Kan.), 21-17

• The Vikings rallied from down 17-7, keeping the Falcons scoreless in the second half
• Jackson Waring threw a touchdown strike late in the third quarter to cut it a three point margin before scoring the game winning touchdown with his legs in the final quarter
• Jordan Kumm led all receivers with 80 yards for GVU 
• Grand View survives and advances to stay undefeated, despite losing the turnover battled 0-2

FIRST ROUND - NOVEMBER 23RD

• Keiser (Fla.) earned a First Round bye as the top overall seed in the FCS.
• Grand View (Iowa) also had the weekend off entering the FCS as the second seed.