DURHAM, N.C. – We will be having a matchup to remember for this year’s NAIA national title game.
Defending NAIA national champion and No. 1 overall seed Keiser (12-0) withstood a major challenge by overcoming a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to earn a thrilling 42-38 home win over No. 9 overall seed Benedictine in last week’s national semifinal.
Meanwhile, No. 2 overall seed Grand View (13-0) cruised past No. 6 overall seed Morningside (12-2 final record) in a 36-13 home win in the other NAIA national semifinal game.
Both games took place on Saturday, Dec. 14.
For the national title game that will take place today (Dec. 21) at Durham County Memorial Stadium, both teams are unbeaten and both team have won an NAIA national title. Also, both teams will be playing in their third national title game appearances.
This means we can expect a true back-and-forth battle that should be close from start to finish.
Keiser won its NAIA national title last year (2023), while Grand View last won it all 11 years ago (2013).
Here are the key position players for both teams, with the positions to be highlighted:
QUARTERBACKS
Keiser graduate senior quarterback Shea Spencer: 205-for-292 (70.21 percent completion rate), 2,841 yards, 29 touchdowns, 5 interceptions in 12 games played
Grand View senior quarterback Jackson Waring:
171-for-283 (60.42 percent completion rate), 2,382 yards, 21 touchdowns, 3 interceptions in 13 games played
RUNNING BACKS
Keiser junior running back Andrew Burnette: 205 carries, 1,260 yards, 17 touchdowns; 18 receptions for 164 yards; 1 kick return for 8 yards; 1,432 total yards in 12 games played
Grand View junior running back Dalton Van Pelt: 147 carries, 709 yards, 12 touchdowns in 12 games played
Grand View senior quarterback Jackson Waring: 139 carries, 541 yards, 13 touchdowns in 13 games played
WIDE RECEIVERS
Keiser freshman wide receiver Refeno Vangates: 41 receptions, 688 yards, 9 touchdowns in 12 games played
Keiser sophomore wide receiver Maurico Porcha: 40 receptions, 579 yards, 7 touchdowns in 12 games played
Grand View senior wide receiver Aisea Toki: 35 receptions, 686 yards, 6 touchdowns in 13 games played
TOP TWO DEFENDERS: KEISER
Keiser sophomore defensive back Justin Carcel in 11 games played:
•45 total tackles
•5 pass breakups,
•4 interceptions
•1 forced fumble
•2024 Associated Press NAIA All-American – Second Team Defense
Keiser graduate senior defensive tackle Bam Brima in 12 games played:
•54 total tackles
•8 tackles for loss
•4 quarterback hurries
•4 pass breakups
•3 sacks
•2 forced fumbles
•1 fumble recovery
•2024 Associated Press NAIA All-American – Second Team Defense
TOP TWO DEFENDERS: GRAND VIEW
Grand View junior linebacker John Argo in 13 games played:
•83 total tackles
•9.5 tackles for loss
•6 pass breakups
•2 interceptions
Grand View junior defensive end Jackson Filer in 12 games played:
•65 total tackles
•23 tackles for loss
•11 sacks
•2 pass breakups
•1 forced fumble
KICKERS
Keiser junior kicker Nico Cavanillas in 11 games played:
•57-for-58 in point after attempts (98.27 percent success rate)
•11-for-13 in field goal attempts (84.61 percent success rate); long of 39 yards
•8 kickoffs, 452 yards, 1 touchback
Grand View sophomore kicker Cory Wood:
•8-for-12 in field goal attempts (66.67 percent success rate); long of 44 yards
Grand View freshman kicker Justyn Hamm:
•12-for-17 in field goal attempts (70.59 percent success rate); long of 44 yards
HEAD COACHES
Keiser: Myles Russ (12-0 record; first season)
Grand View: Joe Woodley (58-5 record; sixth season)
KEY TEAM STAT: POINTS SCORED PER GAME
Keiser: 40.25
Grand View: 39.6
KEY TEAM STAT: POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME
Keiser: 20.42
Grand View: 8.46
KEY TEAM STAT: TOTAL YARDS PER GAME
Keiser: 476.5
Grand View: 396.5
KEY TEAM STAT: FIRST DOWNS PER GAME
Keiser: 22.5
Grand View: 23
SKINNY PREDICTION: While we can expect a high-scoring game, it will come down to two things: big plays and special teams. With experience in coming back from a large deficit and overall poise in the clutch, Keiser will repeat as the 2024 NAIA national champion in a 45-42 win over Grand View.
The 2024 NAIA national title game will go down as an instant classic to remember for years to come.
PHOTO CREDIT: Victory Sports Network
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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