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Heart of America Athletic Conference
BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - GRAND VIEW FOOTBALL
December 20, 2025

BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - GRAND VIEW FOOTBALL

Grand View University football claimed its second consecutive NAIA National Championship on Saturday night, defeating Keiser University 22–16 in the 2025 NAIA Football National Championship game. The victory secured the Vikings' third national title in program history and their second straight Red Banner.

The championship game marked the first NAIA national title contest played in the state of Texas since 1976 and served as a rematch of last season's championship meeting between the two programs.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP

Keiser opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 27-yard field goal to take a 3–0 lead. Grand View responded early in the second quarter, as Cory Wood connected on a 45-yard field goal to tie the game.

Wood added a second field goal from 41 yards with 3:08 remaining in the second quarter to give the Vikings a 6–3 advantage. With 22 seconds left before halftime, Grand View extended the lead when Dalten Van Pelt broke free for an 80-yard rushing touchdown. Wood's extra point sent the Vikings into the locker room with a 13–3 lead.

Keiser cut into the deficit early in the third quarter with a seven-yard touchdown pass before tying the game at 13–13 on a 36-yard field goal midway through the period.

Grand View regained the lead in the fourth quarter when Jackson Waring connected with Corey Phillips on a 40-yard touchdown pass with 10:08 remaining. Wood's extra point attempt was no good, but the Vikings led 19–13.

Wood added his third field goal of the night from 32 yards with 2:05 left to push the lead to 22–13. Keiser closed the scoring with a 37-yard field goal as time expired, securing the 22–16 final.

CHAMPIONSHIP KEY NOTES

  • Grand View completed a perfect season and has not lost a game since the 2023 NAIA Semifinals.

  • The Vikings improved to 2–1 all-time against Keiser and are now 2–0 against the Seahawks in national championship games.

  • Grand View made its fourth appearance in the NAIA National Championship game, matching Keiser for most in program history.

  • The Vikings have now appeared in 14 NAIA Football Championship Series since 2011.

PROGRAM HISTORY

Grand View has won Heart of America Athletic Conference championships in nine of the last 11 seasons (2015–17, 2019–24). The Vikings' three NAIA national championships came in 2013, 2024 and 2025.

Saturday's title marks the first national championship for head coach E.J. Peterson, who led the program to a national title in his first season at the helm.

Grand View concludes the 2024–25 season as NAIA National Champions for the second straight year.