KANSAS CITY, MO - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially announced the teams and pairings for the 2011 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS). Sixteen teams will play at eight First Round sites on Nov. 19. The quarterfinal pairings, to be played on Nov. 26, will be announced on Nov. 20.
The NAIA has decided to send Southern Nazarene to Olathe to take on the Pioneers. In a rematch of the War in Wichita, this time #4 MNU will host #14 SNU in Olathe. The Pioneers defeated the Crimson Storm 41-17 on October 15 at Cessna Stadium. The Pioneers are 5-8 all time in the playoffs in 7 appearances. The is the first playoff appearance for SNU. Winning its first-ever Central States Football League Championship, Southern Nazarene stands with a 9-2 mark.
Seven of the eight FCS First Round games will mark the first postseason meetings between the two teams. Carroll and Valley City State are the only teams that have met previously in FCS action. The Fighting Saints won First Round meetings on the road in 2000 and at home in 2001.
The 56th Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship is scheduled for Dec. 17 in Rome, Ga. Rome-Floyd County and Shorter (Ga.) University will host the event at Barron Stadium for the fourth-straight year.
