The NAIA Football National Championship Game is Saturday at Noon CT! We’ve got all the links and coverage for you here on the Victory Sports Network.
Be sure to join me on the pregame show Saturday! The Urban Edge Network will be live Saturday before the game with coverage, interviews and everything you want from the National Championship Game.
Keiser Game Preview – Grand View Game Preview
NAIA Football National Championship Pregame Show on Urban Edge
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In this blog all go through what I think will happen Saturday as well as what I think it will take for each team to bring home the NAIA football National Championship!
Why Grand View University will win:
Winning the turnover battle: Although the Vikings remain undefeated, their closest games have come when turnovers allowed opponents like MidAmerica Nazarene and Peru State to jump out to early leads. When Grand View protects the football and generates takeaways, it plays from a position of confidence, control, and poise.
Control the line of scrimmage: Grand View brings significant experience up front, and last season the offensive line opened lanes that allowed quarterback Jackson Waring to deliver one of the signature performances of his career. That formula will be critical again, especially with Keiser likely focusing its defensive attention on Waring and forcing other playmakers to step up.
Lockdown defense: The Vikings are strong at all three defensive levels, with All-Americans anchoring each unit. Jackson Filer consistently disrupts plays in the backfield, linebacker John Argo controls the second level with physical run support and elite ball skills, and defensive back Kellen Moore leads a secondary tasked with matching the size and speed of Keiser’s wide receivers.
Why Keiser will win:
Steady, heady play: Quarterback Shea Spencer has been one of the most consistent NAIA quarterbacks of the past decade, completing more than 70 percent of his passes while also making plays with his legs. If Spencer remains composed and efficient on Saturday, his steady leadership will be the foundation of a Seahawks victory.
Defensive scheme: Last season, the Seahawks struggled at times to contain the plus-one run game led by quarterback Jackson Waring. With that experience as a reference point, defensive coordinator Peter Davila will have Keiser prepared for multiple looks and adjustments. Ultimately, the key will be Keiser’s ability to control the line of scrimmage, dominate up front, and prevent Grand View from imposing its physical style.
Weapons: Keiser’s rushing attack, led by Jaden Miller, is capable of grinding out tough yards and forcing Grand View to commit extra defenders to the box. That approach can create one-on-one matchups on the outside for playmakers like Dallas Desouza, Elisha Edwards, and Rico Porcha. If the Seahawks can connect on a few explosive plays in space, they could gain the big-play edge needed to push past the Vikings.
How this game will go?
The first quarter should be a virtual stalemate. Each team will hit one big play in the 20–30 yard range before the defenses settle in and clamp down. Expect a low-scoring opening frame, with the score sitting at either 0–0 or 7–3 after one.
In the second quarter, look for a momentum-shifting defensive play from Grand View that forces a turnover. The Vikings will capitalize with a touchdown and take a narrow lead into halftime, either 14–10 or 14–7.
The third quarter will feature a signature strike from Shea Spencer to Dallas Desouza, set up by a relentless Keiser rushing attack. Jaden Miller will grind out tough yards past midfield, forcing the defense to commit before Desouza breaks loose for a big play. Grand View will answer, but only with a field goal, sending the game into the fourth quarter tied at 17–17.
The final quarter is where things get wild. Keiser will regain the lead on a big-play connection to Elisha Edwards, only for Grand View to respond with a shot to Aisea Toki. Keiser may add another field goal, pushing the Seahawks in front 27–24, setting up a dramatic finish.
This is where the Grand View defense steps up. Jackson Filer gets into the backfield on a critical snap, forcing Keiser into a long third or fourth down and giving the Vikings the ball back—albeit with poor field position. What follows is a 90-plus-yard, game-winning drive led by the reigning NAIA Player of the Year.
Waring to Toki. A tough run by Bryant Williams. A catch out of the backfield by Dalten Van Pelt. A Waring scramble. The clock winds down… and Waring finds tight end Lance Clayburg for the championship-winning score.
Grand View escapes with a 31–27 victory and captures back-to-back NAIA national titles.
And yes, the score is strategic: if Grand View holds Keiser under 30 points, the Vikings win. If Keiser reaches 30 or more, they extend their streak to 62 straight wins when scoring 30-plus and claim their second NAIA national championship.
