The University of Saint Francis (IN) came from behind at home to defeat McKendree in Fort Wayne.  With 10 minutes left to go in the third quarter, McKendree led 21-7 before Michael Ledo was able to scamper in from 6yds away to cut the lead in half.  Then NAIA Player of the Year Cory Jacquay caught a 22yd pass to tie the game and Chris Bramell sealed the deal with a 17yd pass to Andy Papagiannis with :34 seconds left.  That type of performance is what makes me think very strongly about USF’s chances on “The Road to Savannah”.

Georgetown notched one in the win column this weekend as they defeated Belhaven in a rather uneventful football game.  At the half the Tigers led 34-3 before calling off the dogs in the second half to win 41-15.  Sioux Falls dominated Briar Cliff and MNU defeated Central Methodist to round out the top five.

But the rest of the NAIA’s top games were quite eventful.  The most noticeable were in the range of #12-15 as Hastings, Dickinson, Benedictine, and Trinity International were all defeated.  Concordia has shown this season they have the ability to stick it out against top competition, so in hindsight the win over Hastings is less shocking as well as the rivalry loss for Dickinson State against U-Mary. 

However I am having a tougher time figuring out Benedictine and Trinity International’s losses.  Lindenwood proved to be almost anemic on offense in the first two weeks of the season before putting up 34 points on a Benedictine team that is suppose to be more “sound” on defense this season. 

We all know that Lindenwood is still a very dangerous team but it was looking like Benedictine was starting to make a rise back to their usual standing at the top of the HAAC.  Maybe someone awoke the sleeping “Lions”.  Only time will tell.

Urbana’s win over Trinity International is a bit of a shock too.  The Blue Knights recently lost to St. Francis IL and struggled against first year program Seton Hill.  However this week they put up 39 points on TIU and 350yds while limiting the Trojans to just 45yds on 26 carries.  Urbana might be turning the corner, but will have to win at Olivet Nazarene to impress Top 25 voters this week.

Congrats to Geneva College and Nebraska Wesleyan for continuing their great starts with wins this week.  Both teams made significant jumps in our Top 25 and should be watched for later this season.  Also, a big hooray to the Webber International team who makes their way into the Top 25 for the first time ever this week.