By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
excerpts from naia.org
GRAMBLING, La. | For the fourth time this decade, the NAIA National Football Championship will feature two undefeated teams.
Undefeated and top-ranked Morningside (Iowa) faces undefeated and second-ranked Marian (Ind.) on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium in Grambling, La. Morningside makes its second-consecutive national championship-game appearance, after defeating Benedictine (Kan.) in 2018; Marian makes its fourth trip to the championship, last defeating Southern Oregon in 2015.
Tailgating festivites will begins at 2 p.m. at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in Grambling. The previously scheduled NAIA Showcase, (an event for high school and junior college football players) which was set to take place from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. has been canceled.
While the two teams have combined for a 25-0 record this season, both the Mustangs and the Knights had their share of adversity this season.
Morningside looks to "do it again"
For Morningside coach Steve Ryan, this season began with a flipped switch for his players. Instead of getting complacent after a national title, they got to work.
"That was awesome," Ryan said of his players mindset, "but let's work really hard and see if we can do it again."
Ryan pointed to two key games that showed the mettle of his 2019 squad. The first was the final regular season game of the year, at Northwestern (Iowa). It was the Mustangs' third season in a row playing on the road in Orange City against the Red Raiders, and while it ended in a 10 point win for Morningside, it was the closest game of the season (at the time) for the Mustangs and the first in which they trailed at halftime.
Morningside's closest game, however, would be its most recent. The Mustangs again trailed at halftime against Grand View (Iowa) in the NAIA Football National Championship Semifinals, but two third-quarter touchdown passes from first-year starting QB Joe Dolincheck provided the breathing room they needed to hang on for a win.
"He's really been a surprise," Ryan said of Dolincheck, who replaced reigning National Player of the Year Trent Solsma. "Just how well he's played and how he's matured in his first year."
Dolincheck has thrown for 43 touchdowns and 3,992 yards, completing 68-percent of his passes with 11 interceptions.
Click here to purchase tickets to the 2019 NAIA Football National Championship game in Grambling. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
*Watch Online: The 2019 NAIA Football National Championship will be broadcast by ESPN on ESPN3. Fans will be able to stream online with a valid cable/satellite subscription or a subscription to ESPN+.
Check here to see if you have access to ESPN3.
