Iowa
Northwestern (Iowa) wins NAIA national championship
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Jalyn Gramstad threw three landing passes and ran for an additional to steer Northwestern (Iowa) over Keiser (Florida) College 35-25 on Saturday for the NAIA nationwide championship.
The Crimson Raiders (13-1) used the large play to counter lengthy Keiser scoring drives and declare its third title in program historical past, the others coming in 1973 and 1983. Northwestern was making its second title-game look in three seasons and completed this 12 months with a 13-game successful streak after dropping its opener by some extent to Morningside.
Gramstad was 14-of-19 passing for 247 yards and rushed for an additional 128 yards on 22 carries. Cade Moser scored on a pair of massive performs and had a mixed 158 yards offense. Noah Van’t Hof made two interceptions.
The Seahawks (10-4) trailed 28-25 with simply over seven minutes left after scoring on Bryce Veasley’s 1-yard run. However Northwestern, which had three scoring performs of over 60 yards, ate up over 5 minutes earlier than Gramstad discovered his manner by the protection for a 19-yard clinching landing.
”We did what we wanted to do and we talked about simply persevering with to pound the stone and simply preserve working. And when there is a crack, we received to complete it and our guys did that within the fourth quarter.” mentioned Northwestern coach Matt McCarty in an on-field postgame interview with ESPN.
The Crimson Raiders took the lead for good at 21-17 late within the third quarter on Gramstad’s 64-yard connection to Konner McQuilla. Gramstad threw a 3-yard TD go to Blake Anderson to increase the lead early within the fourth quarter after Northwestern had stopped Keiser on downs on the Seahawks 48.
Tied at 7 at halftime, the groups mixed for twenty-four factors within the third quarter.
Moser scored on a 64-yard run, the Seahawks tied it on Jaden Meizinger’s 2-yard run to finish a nine-play, 62-yard drive then took the lead on Likelihood Gagnon’s 26-yard area aim after a fumble restoration on the Northwestern 18.
Keiser received the sport’s first factors on Marques Burgess’ 1-yard run after a 13-play, 98-yard drive. Northwestern caught again on their first play after the following kickoff with Gramstad’s 69-yard go to Moser.
Keiser’s Shea Spencer was 14-of-16 passing for 122 yards with an interception earlier than being injured late within the third quarter. Veasley got here on in aid.
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Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“I think for Payton we all have an expectation, you know, when your best player comes back and lead the league in made threes, well, he’s going to make more threes and he’s going to get more rebounds.
“The thing I’ve been impressed with is he was a really good rebounder last year. He’s a special offensive rebounder.
“A lot of shooters just don’t do that. They hang around on the perimeter, and that’s that. Throw me the ball, and I’ll shoot it in the hole for you.
“He does that, but he’s done more off the dribble. He’s done more passing to open people and reading situations, which is what you would expect from a senior.
“Think about him. Freshman year he played a lot. He was on the Big Ten Championship team. Sophomore year, Rookie of the Year in the league. Last year led the league in made threes, was an All-League player.
“Now, I think how do you go from being a second- or third-team All-League player to first-team? Obviously it’s consistency of effort and performance, and he is going to work harder.”
Back in the offseason, the assumption was that Seth McLaughlin would win the starting center job after transferring from Alabama. Not only did he win that job but so far this season, he has played quite well.
This is certainly a welcome sight after the Ohio State Buckeyes struggled with offensive line consistency in 2023 and McLaughlin himself had a down year with the Crimson Tide.
Through the non-conference schedule and two Big Ten Conference games, the pairing has been perfect for both parties. The experienced center has been a strong addition in the trenches and will look to continue to be a dominant force throughout the rest of the season.
Just how dominant has McLaughlin been?
In the win against the Iowa Hawkeyes, McLaughlin actually posted the highest grade of any center in the country during week six according to Pro Football Focus. His 78.6 mark is an excellent grade, yet not surprising considering how solid he has been in the middle.
Highest Graded Center from Week 6:
🔴 Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State: 78.6@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/NNZY3D6Vc2
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 7, 2024
Not only has McLaughlin been solid this season, but the rest of the offensive line has played quite well. Against the Oregon Ducks, McLaughlin, Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson, Tegra Tshabola and Josh Fryar will all need to be at their best. It seems like they have been at their best to this point, however, this will be the toughest test yet for the whole team.
If this unit can enforce physicality in the run game and give Will Howard time to operate on Saturday, then not only might McLaughlin grade high with PFF once again, but the rest of the unit may fair pretty well.
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