KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [Opening Round Schedule | Experience NAIA Championships App] The 2020 NAIA Football National Championship Series First Round took place on Saturday April 17, 2020. Eight teams advanced to the quarterfinals and eight had their seasons come to an end.

The full field features 12 automatic qualifiers and four at-large berths. In order to qualify for an automatic bid, teams must win their conference regular-season title. At-large berths were determined by the NAIA Football National Selection Committee. Teams earning an at-large berth must be ranked in the Top 20 of the final NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll, which can be accessed here. 

Saturday, April 17

Game 1 – No. 1 Morningside (Iowa) def. No. 16 Carroll (Mont.), 55-0 | Box Score       

Game 2 – No.2 Grand View (Iowa) def. No. 13 Dordt (Iowa), 38-10 | Box Score           

Game 3 – No. 3 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) def. Bethel (Kan.), 42-10 | Box Score           

Game 4 – No. 4 Keiser (Fla.) def. No. 15 Arizona Christian, 63-21 | Box Score                       

Game 5 – No. 5 Concordia (Mich.) def. No. 12 Georgetown (Ky.), 21-7 | Box Score                 

Game 6 – No. 6 Northwestern (Iowa) def.  No. 11 Dickinson State (N.D.), 31-7 | Box Score

Game 7 – No. 7 Baker (Kan.) def. No. 10 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), 59-54 | Box Score          

Game 8 – No. 8 Reinhardt (Ga.) def. No. 9 Marian (Ind.), 38-10 | Box Score        

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Qualifier Highlights

• All the higher seeds advanced to the quarterfinals.  
• Back-to-Back defending champions, Morningside (Iowa) maintained their perfect record after defeating Carroll (Mont.) 55-0
• The meeting between Carroll (Mont.) and Morningside was only the second in program history for the GPAC and Frontier school.
• The No. 1 Mustangs are currently ranked No. 1 nationally in four cateorgies including pass offense per game, sacks against, total sacks and scoring offensive per game. On the field today, the Mustangs had 566 total offense yards compared to the Fighting Saints 248. With 213 rushing yards and 353 passing yards.
• Reinhardt (Ga.) knocked off defending runner-up Marian (Ind.) 40-29 on Saturday.
• The Eagles of Reinhardt stepped on their home field looking to avenge their playoff loss in 2019, which was on the road to the Knights of Marian (Ind.) last November.  
• Northwestern (Iowa) gave Dickinson State (N.D.) their first loss of the season. The Red Raiders defeated the Blue Hawks 31-7.
• This is the Red Raiders’ fourth straight football championship appearance and 22^nd overall.
• Keiser (Fla.) earned their first-ever postseason win in school history after defeating No. 12 Arizona Christian 63-21.
• Much like several programs in the FCS the Seahawks completed their regular season in the fall and have waited to play the last 161 days however that did not stop them from starting the fast.
• Keiser outgained the Firestorm 546-322 yards. The 63 points scored were the most in school history.
• Concordia (Mich.) was the only road win during the first round of FCS play defeating Georgetown (Ky.) 21-7.
• The Cardinals started the game out fast setting the tempo for play early. Leading the team offensively was Luke Wilson with a career-high 104 receiving yards and a touchdown in the game. Peter Morrison threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns while Keviontae Brown led the Cardinals with 66 rushing yards on 17 carries.
• In an exciting game in Des Moines, Iowa No. 2 Grand View (Iowa) defeated No. 18 Dordt (Iowa) due to a big second half of play.
• The Vikings threw back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter one of which Dordt took advantage of becoming the first to get on the scoreboard. After big runs from both teams in the second quarter the game was tied at ten after one half of play.
• The third quarter started with an 18-play drive from Dordt that ate up over eight minutes on the clock however the Viking defense did not break and forced the Defenders to attempt a 50-yard field goal attempt.
• The Vikings were then able to connect a few passed and eventually drive the ball down field and take the lead where they maintained the rest of play.
• Quarterback Jonny Sullivan finished the afternoon going 20/28 for 190-yards, 2-touchdowns, and 2-interceptions. Sullivan also had 23-yards rushing and 1-touchdown. DeVon Pressley led the ground attack running for 151-yards on 18 attempts adding touchdown.
• Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) also advances to the quarterfinals after a big second half of play. The Threshers of Bethel (Kan.) came out strong with a powerful 14 play, 68 yard opening drive which resulted in a 29 yard field goal.
• Blue Raiders led Bethel (Kan.) by just 14-10 at halftime. However they pushed forward scoring 28 unanswered points and one interception to secure the first round win and advance to the quarterfinals a second year in a row.
• The Blue Raiders outgained the Threshers in total offense by a mark of 373-to-309.
• Baker (Kan.) and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) was the closest game to happen in the first round of FCS is the point difference just five points. The Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals 59-54.
• This was Olivet Nazarene’s first playoff game in over 20 years and it was a thriller.
• The Tigers forced the Wildcats to punt on the first drive and then put the first three points on board. The game continued touchdown for touchdown, tied at 24 at halftime. Baker started the second half with an interception which they converted for a touchdown to take the lead. ONU again answered with a touchdown. An interception from Hutton last in the fourth quarter allowed Baker to score and which ultimately allowed them to win the game and advance.
• The eight remaining schools will battle it out again next Saturday at four different campus sites. For pairings click here