134 National Championship
(Last Season) Ferris State QB Manuel Samuels struck pay dirt with a 47 yard pass to WR Warren Keys to go up 35-17. Cheyney continued to score but never could make up the difference.
This play stuck in head coach's Waregl72 mind during the off season. Cheyney had made it to the National Championship, only to suffer a loss to Ferris State. Determined to make it back and the media weighing heavily for their upcoming opponent, the stage was finally set with the whole nation watching.
This night, it was Cheyney that silenced the critics by winning the National Championship over Northern Michigan 36-31.
No longer to be denied, Cheyney was led by its star quarterback Ralph Epps, who threw for 400 yards despite facing a stout defense.
In the 1st quarter NMU RB Michael Harris (88 Spd, 77 Str, 87 Elu) took a 90 yard kick off return to the house after the NMU defense forced a sack on Ralph Epps. Leading 9-3, Harris struck again on a 37 yard rush up the middle finishing the half with NMU on top 16-12.
Starting the 3rd quarter, the Wolves faced another safety as RB James Hart was tackled in the end zone on a 1 yard loss. Then NMU answered on the following drive with RB Harris breaking 47 yards for a touchdown on a medium pass. Now leading 25-12 the Michigan crowd going crazy, it was going to be a daunting task for the Wolves to come back. QB Robert Epps, wasted no time finding WR Nicholas Kane for 48 yards deep down the sideline to make it 25-21.
In the 4th quarter, Cheyney struck again with Ralph Epps completing a pass to RB James Hart for 33 yards to get inside NMU’s red zone. This set up the go ahead touch down and NMU led 31-28 with 8 minutes left in the game. Both teams battled hard back and forth for field position. Now, with 1 minute and 10 seconds left in the game, it was Ralph Epps again who found Ricky Noble in the back of the end zone for 32 yards and the go ahead touchdown 35-31.
Cheyney Wins 35-17 CONGRATULATIONS Waregl72
As the coaches ran out to shake hands,
“Let me be the first one to congratulate you on an EPIC National Championship. My defensive coordinator will be fired for his failure on game plan when winning with less than 3 minutes to go in the game. Please don't take that as an excuse. Your team played well and NMU didn't deliver. The good news for me is that there is always next season, and I should be primed to compete again. See you next year.” Spthibodeau said while congratulating the Cheyney Coach.
Waregl72 replied, “Thanks man! I am so excited. I didn't think there was any way that I was going to out gun you in the 2nd half. Your team was too good. Congrats to you on a fantastic season.”
It was Waregl72’s first National Championship and one that he will always remember.
His Quarterback Epps put in a legendary performance and the wolves were able to win through the air while NMU struggled with the pass (42.9%) and had to move the ball on the ground.
RB Harris for NMU, had an outstanding day despite the loss, carrying the ball 40 times for 187 yards and a touchdown.
MVP QB Ralph Epps (Cheyney) Passing: 29-39 (64.1%) 400 Yds 1 TD 496 Cheyney Total Yards Offense 380 Cheyney Total Yards Allowed Time of Possession: CUP 30:42, NMU 29:18 Penalties: CUP 2-20, NMU 1-10 Turnovers: 0