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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