ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State will not play its scheduled NAIA quarterfinal game at defending national champion Carroll College on Saturday after discovering that three players were academically ineligible.

Northwestern forfeited its regular-season games against Bacone and Texas College as well as a postseason game against Friends (Kan.) University because the players competed in those games while ineligible.

The school said the unidentified players dropped classes during the fall semester that reduced their course load below 12 hours, which is not allowed by the NAIA.

“Our university community is saddened and embarrassed by the actions we were forced to take today, but we will never compromise the integrity of this university,” university president Janet Cunningham said in a statement.

“Everyone at Northwestern is accountable for ensuring that we follow NAIA rules and institutional policy to the letter.”

Cunningham apologized to the opposing schools involved in the forfeited games, especially Friends, and said a task force would be formed to look into eligibility issues in the athletic department and prevent further compliance problems.

Carroll athletic director Bruce Parker said there will be no quarterfinal game, and the Montana school will advance to the semifinals because of the forfeit. The Fighting Saints have won five of the last six NAIA titles, have a 27-game winning streak and are the top-ranked team in the playoffs.

Northwestern Oklahoma State won its only national title in 1999 and also lost to Carroll in the 2003 title game.

The NAIA planned to have its National Eligibility Committee review a report from Northwestern Oklahoma State and determine whether any additional sanctions are necessary.

Oregon WR transfers to Montana State

BOZEMAN, Mont. — University of Oregon receiver Elvis Akpla has signed a letter of intent to play football at Montana State.

MSUCoach Rob Ash said Akpla will be a sophomore next fall. He is the third Oregon football player to transfer to Montana State in the past six months, joining quarterback Cody Kempt and defensive end John Laidet.

Akpla was a redshirt freshman during the 2008 season.

Akpla was a first-team all-league choice at Lincoln High School in Portland in 2006, catching a 69-yard touchdown pass to help his team beat Lake Oswego in the title game.

Navy tops Huskies

DEKALB, Ill. — Quarterback Ricky Dobbs scored a touchdown and ran for 124 yards in his first collegiate start to lead Navy to a 16-0 victory over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night.

Navy (7-4) scored on its first two possessions and held the ball for more than 17 minutes in the first half as they beat the Huskies (6-6) for the second straight year.

The Midshipmen clinched a winning season with two games to play, including the annual showdown with Army on Dec. 6 in Philadelphia. Navy will also play in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on Dec. 20 in Washington D.C.

Dobbs, a sophomore who carried the ball 25 times, fumbled on his team’s first play at the Navy 9. He alertly recovered the loose ball and led the Midshipmen on an 81-yard drive that was capped by Matt Harmon’s 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter.