DES MOINES, IOWA — The No. 2-seeded Grand View University Vikings (12-0, 6-0 HOA) are primed to host a highly anticipated NAIA FCS Semifinal Playoff showdown against the Mustangs of Morningside University (12-1, 10-0 GPAC), at Mediacom Stadium on Saturday, December 14th. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. (CT).
 

FCS Semifinals | No. 2 Grand View (12-0, 6-0 HOA) vs. No. 6 Morningside (12-1, 10-0 GPAC)
Date | Time	Saturday, December 14 | 1:30 PM (CT)
Location	Des Moines, Iowa | Mediacom Stadium
Fan Information	Tickets |  Visitor Guide
Live Stream	Grand View University
Live Stats	PrestoSports
Social Media	@GVVikingsFB | #3D | @gvvikingfb | Facebook

PROMOTIONS

• THE FIRST 300 FANS GET A FREE RED GRAND VIEW FOOTBALL RALLY TOWEL!
• ALL Grand View Students will be allowed into the game for FREE, thanks to Viking Council and SAC.
• Grand View football will do their game day ritual tailgate walk at 11:30 a.m.

 
GAME STORYLINES

• A win would give Grand View their 18th postseason victory, moving the overall record to 18-11.
• DEFENDING DES MOINES: Grand View is 7-0 in Des Moines this season; five of these wins were played at the Duke.
• The Vikings' defense sits first in the nation in multiple categories, including scoring defense and holding opponents to just 8.1 points per game, total yards per game at 194.3 (82.7 fewer yards than the second-ranked defense), and rushing yards per game at 68.2 (following a game against the No. 1 rushing offense in the country).
• The Vikings rushing attack sits fifth in the NAIA in rushing touchdowns, with 37 this season.
• Grand View has possessed the ball for 6:55:19 this season (34:37) per game, the longest remaining TOP in the FCS. 

  
HEAD COACH JOE WOODLEY

• HC Joe Woodley was named the 2024 Heart of America Athletic Conference (HOA) Coach of the Year.
• He's won five HOA Coach of the Year honors at GVU (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, & 2024) out of six seasons as HC.
• Woodley leads the Conference of Heart of America Coach of the Year Awards.
• This season, Woodley picked up his 51^st straight career win at Grand View with the 52-28 win at (9-seeded in the FCS) Benedictine on September 14^th.
• He has coached in 74 career games at Grand View.
• Mike Woodley, the founding coach of Grand View's football program, led the Vikings with remarkable success over 11 seasons, compiling an impressive 93-34 record. His son, Joe Woodley, who took the helm in 2019, has continued the legacy of excellence. With a stellar 70-5 career record as head coach, Joe snagged career win 70 with the Quarterfinal victory against the Red Raiders.

 
VIKINGS TO NOTE

• Four Vikings were honored as NAIA AFCA All-Americans ahead of the semis match-up – 1^st team John Argo, 2^nd team Jackson Filer, Daviere Jones, and Jayson Weiland.
• John Argo has been the defensive anchor throughout the playoffs. The Davenport native has recorded 23 crucial tackles in the FCS so far.
• Kody Kruschwitz has been reliable in the special teams dept. Posting an impressive 53-yard punting average, including a long punt of 67 yards and two inside the 20 in the quarterfinals.
• Argo, Filer, and Sheedy anchor the Vikings' defense, with 72, 62, and 55 tackles, respectively, this season.
• Jackson Waring continues to impress in the FCS, building on his second-round performance. The senior threw for 160 yards, completed 13 of 22 passes, and rushed for two touchdowns, leading the offensive charge.
• Tate Stine-Smith has been a workhorse this season for the Vikings; being consistent when leaned on; his versatility led him to lead Grand View in the Quarters with 83 reception yards, a season-high for the Adel native.

  
STOUT DEFENSE

• The Vikings posted their fourth shutout of the season after the Quarterfinal match-up.
• The Vikings have eleven interceptions as a team, with seven different Vikings having one (Daviere Jones owns three of the 11).
• Prince Brown leads the Vikings with eight PBUs.
• Jackson Filer leads the Vikings in TFL-YDS with 23 for 155 yards.

  
INSIDE THE MORNINGSIDE SERIES

• Grand View and Morningside have clashed three times in high-stakes matchups, including two NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) Semifinals in 2013 and 2019 and the 66th Annual NAIA National Championship game in 2021.
• Morningside holds a 2-1 edge over Grand View in their head-to-head matchups. The Vikings dominated the Mustangs 35-0 in 2013 on their way to claiming the program's first National Title. In 2019, Morningside narrowly defeated Grand View 21-16 in Sioux City.
• In the 2021 NAIA National Championship game, the Vikings led 28-21 as the third quarter began. However, the Mustangs tied the game 28-all heading into the fourth quarter. Morningside ultimately secured the title with a 34-yard score, clinching the victory 38-28.
• Five members of Grand View's current 57-man roster were part of the team's trip to Durham in 2021 for the showdown against Morningside. These returners include Prince Brown (DB), Kody Kruschwitz (P), Nate Willcockson (TE), Aaron Brown (DL), and Dane Johnson (DL). 
• Morningside brings back nine players from their 2021 57-man roster for this year's matchup. Key returners Zach Norton (WR), Logan Macumber (DB), Isaac Pingel (LB), Colton Dreith (DL), Hayden Thilges (OL), Haden Mendel (LB), Aidan Queen (OL), Laken Harnly (WR), and Brady Schlaeger (DL).

 
MUSTANG QUICK HITS

• Morningside enters the Semifinals as the No. 6 seed with a 12-1 (10-0 GPAC) record under 21-season head coach Steve Ryan.
• Head coach Steve Ryan is making his 21st NAIA FCS appearance in 21 seasons at the helm.
• The Mustangs overcame a 24-10 halftime deficit to defeat Montana Western 31-24. After committing two turnovers in the first half, Morningside avoided mistakes in the second half and forced a key turnover to secure the win.
• Morningside attacks primarily through the air; recent 1st team All-American QB selection Zach Chevalier was 23-for-25 for 347 yards with four passing TDs; Chevalier leads the NAIA in yards per game (339.7) and overall yards (4,416).

GAME DAY WEATHER

• The high for Saturday is 37° - nothing like the weather Vikings got to enjoy the previous Saturday.
• The forecast indicates precipitation for the first time in the playoffs in Des Moines this season; there is an 84% chance of light rain by kickoff.
• The forecast calls for nine mph winds from ESE.  

Please click here to review a list of prohibited items at Mediacom Stadium. 
Please click here to view the Visitor Map and Guide.