USA Football
esc

Texas A&M-Commerce, Mount Union, St. Francis win college football national championships

By Brent Glasgow | Posted 12/18/2017

Photo via Texas A&M-Commerce Athletics

The college football season came to a close for the NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA levels this past weekend. Here's a look at the 2017 champs:

NCAA Division II: Texas A&M-Commerce 37, West Florida 27

The Lions claimed their first championship since the 1972 NAIA crown with outstanding performances on both sides of the ball.

Marcus Jensen of Texas A&M-Commerce Athletics reports that offensively, the Lions (14-1) rolled up 477 yards, as quarterback and Harlon Hill Trophy winner Luis Perez had 323 yards and two touchdowns while setting a new D-II record with 4,999 passing yards for the season. Defensive back Reggie Kincade had a 99-yard kickoff return for a score, and running back E.J. Thompson ran for 110 yards and a TD in the third quarter alone.

On defense, the Lions held West Florida to just 24 rushing yards, as linemen DD Fletcher, Jaylon Hodge and Michael Onuoha, and linebacker Brucks Saathoff all had standout performances. 

The loss in no way diminished what West Florida (11-4) accomplished in just its second season in existence, after a 5-6 record in its debut campaign.

RELATED CONTENT: Tuesday PM Blitz: Football national championship matchups set in NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA

NCAA Division III: Mount Union 12, Mary Hardin-Baylor 0

Mount Union (Ohio) won its 13th championship in the 45th annual Stagg Bowl, as the Raiders recorded the first D-III title game shutout since 1982.

Cleveland.com reports that with 10 tackles, including a fourth-quarter safety for the game's final points, Mount Union (15-0) linebacker Nick Brish earned MVP honors. The stop-side limited an offense that averaged 35 points per game to just 144 total yards and tallied eight sacks.

Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas (14-1), last year's champ, also had an inspired defensive effort, by holding the top offense in D-III to 229 yards. DB Jefferson Fritz had two interceptions for the Cru, who were shut out for the first time since 1998. 

It is the second title for Mount Union coach Vince Kehres, who took over for his father Larry five years ago. The elder Kehres, who won 11 championships, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 5.

 

NAIA: St. Francis (Indiana) 24, Reinhardt (Georgia) 13

St. Francis claimed its second title in as many seasons with its 23rd straight victory, as the Cougars (14-0) scored all of their points before Reinhardt put a single point on the board.

Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel says running back Justin Green capped a tremendous season with an offensive MVP outing of 144 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback and NAIA Player of the Year Nick Ferrer threw for 270 yards and a score. With 17 tackles, linebacker Eric Dunten was named defensive MVP.

The Associated Press reports Reinhardt (12-1), which ran for 350 yards per game this season, had 233 against St. Francis as 12 different players registered a carry, led by Quannie Green's 59 yards. The Eagles cut their deficit to 11 in the third quarter, but couldn't make a push in the fourth. 

Reinhardt dropped football for nearly a century before reviving it in 2013.

TagsBlog College football Fan/enthusiast
Share