S136 National Championship
Four seasons ago, Northern Michigan beat Texas A&M-Commerce to win the National Championship. Much has changed since these two teams faced each other. Texas went on to win 71 games with only 2 losses and eventually won the NC last season. Northern Michigan did not find the same success winning 65 games with 5 losses and lost in the second round last season.
It appeared that these two teams could be on a crash course to face each other. TAMC entered the season ranked #1 and Northern Michigan was ranked #2. Only one game stood in their way and that was the quarterfinals.
Texas A&M-Commerce enters the game after huge win over West Chester 42-17. TAMC RB Eric Todd rushed 41 times for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns to be named player of the game.
Northern Michigan rides in with a big win 33-19 over Cheyney. NMU RB Joseph Bonilla rushed 32 times for 179 yards and 1 touchdown to also be named player of the game.
Both of the teams were led by elite running backs and run a balanced attacks. Northern Michigan put 429 yards versus Cheyney with 227 of those yards off rushing. Their defense held strong but allowed 343 yards to a very good Cheyney offense. Texas A&M-Commerce put up 590 yards versus West Chester with 330 yards on the ground. Their defense allowed 299 yards to high powered WC passing attack.
The defenses of both teams made an impact in the first quarter until TAMC found a way with 2:30 left on the clock in the first quarter to put up 3 points. Texas had went 4 straight three and outs and NMU missed on 5 straight series ending in 3 punts and 2 fumbles. It wasn't until that first field goal was made that the game changed.
Texas strikes first 3-0
With 1:11 on the clock in the 1st quarter, RB Joseph Bonilla made a statement on a 63 yard dash up the middle for a touchdown. 6 Rushes for 92 yards and a TD, but he also fumbled twice. Texas continued to struggle having to punt on the next drive. It looked like they were out of sync and just struggling to find rhythm. NMU Bonilla continued to gash and they were starting to find success in the air.
NMU pounds the rock 7-3
In the second quarter, it was all Northern Michigan who found some big plays through the air. From their own 13 yard line, QB Nichols went deep and found RB Bonilla on a 63 yard streak down the middle to reach TAMC's 24 yard line. Rushing to the line of scrimmage, QB Nichols fired a strike down the right side for 24 yards and the go ahead touchdown.
NMU goes to the air 14-6
Texas finally found pay dirt with 4:33 left on the clock. It was a 4 play, 75 yard drive that resulted in a wild 56 yard scramble by TAMC QB Lloyd Foster.
TAMC evens the score but trails 14-13
With NMU leadin 14-13 and 3:09 left on the clock, RB Bonilla gashed the TAMC defense on a 8 play 42 yard drive. K Thomas Fleming nailed a 45 yard FG with only :04 seconds left to go into the half.
NMU leads at the half 17-13
NMU RB Bonilla enters the half with 19 carries for 137 yards a TD. He also caught 3 receptions for 94 yards and a TD.
Texas A&M comes out of the half, determined to shut down RB Bonilla who is having an all-star performance. TAMC stalls on their first drive.
NMU gives the ball to RB Bonilla four times to only pick up 8 yards. After taking a 8 yard sack on 3rd and 9, Tony Monroe punts the ball down to TAMC 28 yard like. Eric Todd returns the kick, darts outside and roars down the sideline 72 yards to put Texas up 20-17. Todd had been silent for most of the game up until now.
Texas shocks the stadium 20-17
Now trailing, NMU goes to the air! QB Nichols finds Sullivan, Murphy, Smith and Williams on short 8-9 yard routes. The final score was on 2nd & 7 as QB Nichols puts one in the corner on a 27 yard touchdown to WR William Smith.
NMU regains control 24-20.
Both teams struggling on drives, NMU gets the ball again and has to go to the air. 8 plays for 50 yards that finally results in another Thomas Fleming FG for 36 yards. RB Bonilla has carried the ball 11 times for only 36 yards.
4th quarter with NMU leading 27-20
It's NMU who is now struggling but pins TAMC back on their own 13 yard line. Texas goes to the air with short dink and dunk routes that span 12 plays for 62 yards and ends with a K Jackson kick for 42 yards.
Texas cuts the margin on a FG 27-23
Four plays later, Texas gets the ball again after an excellent defense stand. This time, QB Foster goes down the middle for 49 yards to WR Ben Payne. RB Todd puts in some work and QB Foster finds WR Payne again for a 4 yard TD with 6:31 left on the clock.
Texas surges to regain the lead 30-27
Northern Michigan goes back to RB Bonilla who gets stuffed on 3 runs for only 3 yards. They have to go back to the air against a tough TAMC blitz that continues to put pressure. 9 plays and 62 yards later, it was the back-up QB Hudson who completes the pass to freshman WR James Anderson for a 9 yard touchdown!
Northern Michigan puts the pedal down 34-30 with 3:34 left to play.
Texas got one more shot and they went to the air. All three passes by senior QB Lloyd Foster were to be his last and they came up short and punted with 3:15 left on the clock. Northern Michigan would never look back as they put together a consistent drive to run down the clock.
Game over, Northern Michigan crowd goes crazy!
NORTHERN MICHIGAN WINS 34-30
CONGRATULATIONS Spthibodeau
It had been 4 long seasons before climbing back up and taking the trophy home for the GLIAC. This is Spthibodeau's 9th National Championship with his team and it was only fitting that they did so against previous defending champs.
First Round vs West Liberty State W69-7 Second Round vs Ferris State W38-17 Quarterfinals vs Winona State W52-37 Semi-Finals vs Cheyney W33-19
NC Game MVP
RB Joseph Bonilla 34 Rush, 204 Yds, 1 TD 6 Rec, 113 Yds, 1 TD
618 Total Offensive Yards 389 Total Defensive Yards Allowed
Time of Possession: 38:26 NMU, 21:34 TAMC Penalties: 1-5 NMU, 6-50 TAMC Turnovers: 2 NMU, 0 TAMC