NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE – 30
GRAND VALLEY STATE - 23
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats and Coach Mel Tjeerdsma finally got the 400-pound gorilla off their backs, beating Grand Valley (MI) State 30-23 to win the NCAA Division II Championship.
After losing the previous four title tilts, the Bearcats' won their third national championship since 1998, all under Tjeerdsma.
The 'Cats came out with their hair on fire. On their first possession they went 76 yards in 1:53 for a touchdown on a 14-yard LaRon Council run at 7:59 in the first quarter. After forcing GVSU to punt again, NWMSU drove 97 yards in 16 plays as Bolles' TD run made it 14-0 at 12:51 in the second stanza. They scored 40 seconds later after a long punt return and Council's 17-yard sweep to the end zone. Somebody blew up a cover man to set up the long return. The hit might make the highlight shows.
After trading punts, NW held GV and took over on downs at its own 42-yard line. With the ball on the 1 and threatening to blow the game open, the Bearcat fullback had the ball stripped at the goal line; and the Lakers took over on their own 7. The officials were late on the whistle; but the play wasn't reviewed, even though replays showed the ball very near the goal line.
Northwest blunted a late Grand Valley drive with an interception to end the half with a 21-0 lead.
Momentum shifted to GVSU in the second half, mostly off missed Bearcat opportunities and costly penalties. The Lakers finally got on the board with a touchdown at 11:32 in the 3rd quarter. During the sequence, the Bearcats had a Pick Six called back on pass interference.
The PAT was blocked, and the Bearcats took it back for two points, keeping the lead at 17.
On NW's next possession, a dropped pass behind the defenders cost the Bearcats another score; and GV scored on their next opportunity to cut the lead to 10 points. The Lakers then forced a fumble and, helped by a pass interference call in the end zone, scored again to make it 20-23 with 12:31 to play.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bearcats got another great return and benefitted from a late hit to start at the GVSU 32. Facing fourth down and 4 from the Laker 36, Bolles hit Soy on a deep fade at the 6-yard line; and the lanky wideout carried a defender into the end zone with 10 minutes to play and a 10-point lead.
GV used 5-1/2 minutes and kicked a field goal to cut the lead to seven. Illegal touching on the ensuing onside kick gave the ball to the Bearcats at midfield. They were forced to punt and GV took over at their own 20 with a chance and 2:59 on the clock. After the Lakers moved the ball near midfield, the Bearcat defense stiffened and held, forcing an incompletion on fourth and four. With possession and just under a minute to play, NW clinched the title by running out the clock.
The victory gave Northwest some measure of revenge against Grand Valley which handed the Bearcats title game losses in 2005 and 2006 under then coach Brian Kelly, named this week the head coach at Notre Dame after taking Cincinnati to this year's Sugar Bowl.
Maryville, (the Spoofhounds won the state championship in Class 2A, as well), will be celebrating their status as "Title Town USA" tonight.
The Real Don Steele
December 12. 2009
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