ROME, Ga. – Placekicker Braden Wieking hit three field goals and helped lead No. 1 University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) to its fourth national title after a 25-22 win against No. 3 Lindenwood University (Mo.) in the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship from Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga. In front of 5,000 fans, the game showcased the nation's top two offenses and ended with five lead changes.
The Cougars (15-0) have won back-to-back titles and their third in four tries. The win is their 29th straight win on the year, which is a school record.
"Winning a championship never gets old," said Sioux Falls head coach Kalen DeBoer, who wrapped up his fifth season with a 67-3 record. "Today was an unbelievable day for our program. These guys on the field poured their hearts.
"We have a ton of respect for this Lindenwood team today. We knew that they were going to bring it and you could see the reason why they got here. That's a tribute to our guys and how they handled the ups and downs. Championship are won by how guys handle adversity and that is what we did today."
ROME, Ga. - University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) senior quarterback Lorenzo Brown has been named the 2009 Rawlings-NAIA National Football Player of the Year, announced tonight (Dec. 18) from Rome, Ga., site of the 54th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship. The announcement was made at the Banquet of Champions held at the Rome Forum in downtown Rome. The 6-0, 200 lb., signalcaller becomes the third Sioux Falls athlete to be named to this prestigious honor, including the second Cougar quarterback.
In 2007, USF quarterback Chad Cavender was honored and followed the 2002 recipient, running back Nick Kortan from Sioux Falls.
"I am thankful for representing the University of Sioux Falls," said Brown. "There is a great tradition here. Chad (Cavender) pushed me to live up to what he did here and I thank him for motivating me."
Rome, Ga. - Lorenzo Brown of Sioux Falls has been named the NAIA Player of the Year. Brown leads Sioux Falls into the national championship game against Lindenwood this weekend as the Cougars seek back to back titles.
This season Brown has accounted for 56 touchdowns with 40 coming via pass and 16 on the ground. Additionally Brown has thrown just four interceptions.
WACO, TEX. - Morningside runningback Jake Peterson and Marian defensive lineman Chris White headline the 2009 AFCA NAIA Coaches' All-America Team announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best - the coaches themselves.
Dana College proudly names Jason Shumaker as the new head coach of its football program. Shumaker begins recruiting immediately and will coach the Vikings in the fall 2010 season.
Shumaker comes to Dana from the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas, where he held the positions of both offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila
University's athletic director Anthony Hall announced today the hiring of Kevin
Porter as the new head football coach.
"Coach Porter brings
the passion, experience and focus on hard work and discipline that we believe
will move our program to be competitive year in and year out," said Hall. "He has played and learned from great
coaches like Marty Schottenheimer, Pete Carroll, Bill Cowher, Pat Dye, Tony
Dungy and Herm Edwards and will share that expertise with our
student-athletes."
It is title time in Rome, Ga.!!! Today marks the start of one of the most memorable weeks of 200 plus college football players. Everything that happens this week will be etched into their minds as one of the greatest times of their lives, win or lose. Lindenwood and Sioux Falls will make history this Saturday.
Lindenwood . . . . welcome to the national championship. It has been a while since we have had to roll out the red carpets for a first timer in the national title game. Saint Francis (Ind.) was the last one back in 2004. Since then it has been Sioux Falls, Carroll or Saint Francis in the title game. Even prior to that the championship had been dominated by Georgetown and NW Oklahoma State. You have to go back to 1998 for the last time two first timers made it to the title game as Azusa Pacific and Olivet Nazarene made it into the title game.
Rome, Ga. - NAIA National Championship Week has arrived, and organizers encourage fans to make plans now to be part of the excitement.
Headlining the fan experience will be FANatic Friday, presented by the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). This one-of-a-kind block party is open to the public at no charge and features performances by Hot Shots Cheerleading and the Georgia Blues Brothers.
MOUNT PLEASANT – Iowa Wesleyan College has named Kent Anderson as the new head coach of its football program, Athletic Director Mike Hampton announced Monday.
The 47-year-old Anderson becomes the 45th head coach in the 120-year history of Iowa Wesleyan's football program. He replaces Jason Smelser, who left the Tiger program at the conclusion of the 2009 season.
"We are happy to welcome Kent Anderson as our new head football coach," said Hampton. "Throughout the interview process terms like ‘dynamic', ‘disciplined', ‘experienced' and ‘leadership' continued to come through from those who interviewed him. He believes in students-first and has an extensive game plan on and off the field for his student-athletes, and we are glad to have him on board. "
Jerod Kruse, defensive coordinator for the William Jewell College football Cardinals, has been named the new head football coach at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.
Kruse recently completed his second season as defensive coordinator at Jewell. In his first season with the Cardinals the defense finished fifth in the country and first in the Heart of America Athletic Conference in opponents' 3rd-down conversions, first in the HAAC in opponents' pass completion percentage, and second in the conference in total defense.
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Football - NAIA
The College Fanz Sports Network crew recently took time to reflect on the year that was 2009. 
ROME, Ga. – Placekicker Braden Wieking hit three field goals and helped lead No. 1 University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) to its fourth national title after a 25-22 win against No. 3 Lindenwood University (Mo.) in the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship from Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga. In front of 5,000 fans, the game showcased the nation's top two offenses and ended with five lead changes.
ROME, Ga. - University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) senior quarterback Lorenzo Brown has been named the 2009 Rawlings-NAIA National Football Player of the Year, announced tonight (Dec. 18) from Rome, Ga., site of the 54th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship. The announcement was made at the Banquet of Champions held at the Rome Forum in downtown Rome. The 6-0, 200 lb., signalcaller becomes the third Sioux Falls athlete to be named to this prestigious honor, including the second Cougar quarterback. 
It is title time in Rome, Ga.!!! Today marks the start of one of the most memorable weeks of 200 plus college football players. Everything that happens this week will be etched into their minds as one of the greatest times of their lives, win or lose. Lindenwood and Sioux Falls will make history this Saturday.
Rome, Ga. - NAIA National Championship Week has arrived, and organizers encourage fans to make plans now to be part of the excitement.
