GRR: Wayne State
Going into the NCR Small-College season, many felt that Cal Poly Humboldt and Babson had a serious shot to make it to the final.
Even the (mostly) trained monkeys working in the offices of GRR World Headquarters thought so. CPH had, of course, won it all last year, while Babson had emerged as Small-College 7s champs, so it seemed logical.
Cal Poly Humboldt’s national men’s small-college victory over Wayne State was a statement victory in a number of ways.
It showed that a Californian or West Coast team can win a fall playoff; it showed that adherence to a game plan that fits your players works; it showed that an all-domestic college team can win.
Humboldt signaled their intention early, working the ball quickly to wing DeShawn Ellis, who was caught but gave Endicott something to think about.
It was a day of dramatic games in the NCR finals, and the Small-College Challenge bracket was no exception.
Western Oregon took third over College of Charleston in a game that was back and forth. Both teams seemed maybe a little run down early, but the action picked up as they sensed a chance for a strong end to the fall.
Siena and Wayne State will meet in the final of the NCR small-college challenge cup after both won big on Friday.