Category Archives: Championship History

2022 Post Season History

 

In 2022, the NCFA once again returned to it’s format of a 4 team playoff leading to the National Championship.  The new wrinkle was that the league was split into 3 conferences (instead of 4) which enable 3 conference champs plus a Wild Card (determined via the power rankings) to fill out the field of playoff teams.

View the 2022 NCFA Post Season Bracket HERE.

The 2022 NCFA Playoffs would be hosted at the George Mason RAC Field in Fairfax, VA.  The games would feature two lopsided victories as top seeded Ohio State (6-0, 9-1) knocked off the Wild Card George Mason (2-0, 5-3) in the opener  by a score of 63 to 6.  The night cap followed with #2 Gordon State (4-0, 9-1 ) defeating #3 Sacred Heart (2-0, 6-1) 55 to 7 to set the stage for the National Championship Game.

The 2022 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was set for a match up between  #1 Ohio State (6-0, 9-1) against #2 Gordon State (4-0, 9-1 )for the title. The matchup would give OSU a shot at a 3rd straight National Championship and Gordon State their first taste of National Championship action.  The Buckeyes would get on the board first with touch down run by QB Kellyn Gerenstein in the first quarter.  Gordon state would respond in the 2nd with a touchdown run of their own by Will Richardson, but a missed extra point would leave OSU with a 1 point lead heading into half time.

The 3rd quarter would get started with an OSU scoop and score fumble recovery and a successful 2 point conversion to expand their lead to 9.  Gordon State would respond quickly with a touch down pass from Neal Howard to Pacer Kincaid and successful 2pt try of their own to once again bring the OSU lead to just 1.

But the 4th quarter belonged to Cedrion Brundage of Gordon State.  He ripped off touch down runs  of 65, 44, and 13 yards to seal the deal for Gordon State and securing their first National Championship by a score of 35-15.

View the 2022 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

View the 2022 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2022 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2022 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Cedrion Brundage took home the MVP award at the 2022 NCFA National Title game by taking over the 4th quarter with his team trailing.  His 3 touchdown runs secured the “Ship” for Gordon State.  On the day, he rushed for 209 yards on 16 carries (13.06 avg) and 3 TDS.

2021 Post Season History

 

In 2021, the NCFA did not host an NCFA Playoff weekend due to insufficient teams cleared to play in the NCFA after the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the top two teams in the power rankings at the conclusion of the conference championship games were given a bid to the National Championship Bowl Game.

View the 2021 NCFA Post Season Bracket HERE.

The 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was set for a match up between  #1 Ohio State (4-0, 6-2 ) against #2 George Mason (4-0, 6-2) for the title. The matchup would give George Mason a chance at a rematch with the Buckeyes as Ohio State defeated the Patriots 29-28 in a week 4 non-conference match up.  The Buckeyes would get on the board first and often taking a 28-0 lead late into the the 2nd Quarter.   George Mason would be able to carry some momentum into halftime as Chase Soper would connect with Adam Abu-Jamous with a 34 yard TD pass with 5 seconds left in the half.  A successful two point conversion would send everyone to the locker room with a 28-8 OSU lead but with a sign of life for GMU who was set to receive the 2nd half kick.

However, the clock would not be George Mason’s friend as they wouldn’t be able to get back on the board until late in the 3rd quarter and with OSU answering back with a TD of their own no the ensuing possession.  The 4th quarter would start with a 35-15 OSU lead until George Mason would once again get a breath of life when Soper hit Brooks for a 73 yard touch down pass.   But again the Buckeyes would answer right back with a Spencer Moore 33 yard touch down run.  Mason would tack on one last TD late in the fourth to close the gap but the Buckeyes would wind up as National Champions by a score of: Ohio State 42 – George Mason 21

View the 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Kellyn Gerenstein took home the MVP award at the 2021 NCFA National Title game by being a catalyst for his team on offense. While he only completed 8 of 20 passes, he recorded 195 yds and 2 TDs through the air.  On the ground he ran for 104 yds on 24 carries scoring 3 TDs.  Kellyn’s performance was, indeed, MVP worthy as he helped lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to a repeat as NCFA Champions.

2019 Post Season History

 

The 2019 NCFA Playoffs featured 2 previous National Champions and 2 teams seeking their first ever NCFA Championship.  In Charlotte, NC, Ohio State narrowly squeaked by Columbus State by a score of 17-14 that many thought was the true National Championship game due to the teams being ranked #1 and #2 (respectfully) at the time.  In Erie, PA we witnessed yet another battle between 2 NCFA opponents that have consistently found their way into the NCFA Playoffs, Oakland and Sacred Heart. Oakland managed to take down Sacred Heart 26-14 to secure their appearance in the National Championship for the 4th time in 6 years.

View the 2019 NCFA Post Season Bracket HERE.

The 2019 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was then set for a match up between  #1 Ohio State (3-0, 8-0 ) against #2 Oakland (4-0, 8-1) for the title. The Buckeyes would get on the board first by way of a 36 yard TD pass thrown by Kellyn Gerenstein to wideout Geoff Green II. Then, after a botched punt attempt by Ohio State late in the first quarter, Oakland was able to secure their first TD early in the second quarter from a 4 yard run by Trent Grabowski to the tie the game at 7. in the middle of the second quarter, Kellyn Gerenstein found another one of his receivers, De’Shawn White, for a 19 yard TD pass that gave the Buckeyes a lead that they would not be give up again. Kellyn Gerenstein was able to find the end zone one more time, this game throwing another TD pass to wide receiver Adam Bardak. The big talk of the game was Ohio State’s defense though as they gave Oakland little hope to succeed in the pass game or the run game. Nicholas Uncth and Samuel Frank, the eventual MVP of the game, both had fumble recoveries for touchdowns that inevitably sealed the deal for the Buckeyes as they were able to secure their first ever NCFA National Championship on the backs of these performances. The final score of the game was the Ohio State Buckeyes 36 and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 9

View the 2019 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2019 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2019 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2019 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Samuel Frank took home the MVP award at the 2019 NCFA National Title game by being a catalyst for his team on defense. He ended the game with 9 tackles, 1 tackle of a loss, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and had a pivotal, game sealing interception! Samuel’s performance was, indeed, MVP worthy as he helped lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to their first NCFA Championship.

2018 Post Season History

 

The 2018 NCFA Playoffs featured 3 previous National Champions and a new comer trying to join the club.  In Charlotte, NC, 1st year member The Apprentice School had no problem defeating South Atlantic Powerhouse (Middle Georgia State) by a score of 43-7.  In Erie, PA two familiar foes matched up, this time with Oakland getting redemption for their loss a year earlier to Sacred Heart by a score of 38-14.

View the 2018 NCFA Post Season Bracket HERE.

The 2018 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was then set for a match up between  #1 Oakland (4-0, 8-1) against #2 Apprentice School (4-0, 7-2) for the title.  The Builders would get on the board first and never look back scoring in 3 of 4 quarters and shutting out Oakland in all but the 2nd.  Fred Hendrieth, Terrance Sudberry, and Brandon Jones would each record rushing TDs in the 1st quarter.  Oakland would come to life in the 2nd thanks to 2 TD passes by Ben Hajciar, one to Bobby Saad and another to Steven O’Connell.  Oakland would cut the deficit to 8 (22-14) heading into halftime.  But that is as close as the Grizzlies would come as the Builders would shut them out in the 2nd half scoring 34 unanswered points.  Hendrieth and Jones would each record another rushing TD while Sudberry ran for two of his own and threw for another to Ethan Bryce.  The Builders would claim their first National Championship in school history by a score of 56-14.

View the 2018 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2018 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2018 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2018 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Terrence Sudberry took home the MVP award at the NCFA National Title game by passing for 100 yds (6 for 16, 1 TD) and rushing 14 times for 150 yds and 3 TDs on the way to leading Apprentice School to the NCFA Championship.

2017 Post Season History

The 2017 NCFA Playoffs featured two similar situations.  Both games featured a relatively new program taking on a traditional NCFA powerhouse.  In Salem, VA Ft. Lauderdale had no problem defeating the 2 time National Champion (Coppin State) by a score of 36-18).  In Erie, PA it was Sacred Heart who put an end to Oakland’s quest for a 3rd National Title be defeating the Grizzlies by a score of 28-6).

View the 2017 NCFA Post Season Bracket HERE.

The 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was then set for a battle of the undefeated as #1 Univ of Ft Lauderdale squared off against #2 Sacred Heart for the title. the Pioneers would get on the board first when Brian Moore would sack Nathaniel Watson for a safety giving SHU the lead 2-0 halfway through the 1st.  SHU would extend the lead to 9-0 when Chris Criscuolo connected with Mark Barranger for a 43 yd touchdown pass as time wound down in the 1st.  That lead would last till there was 6 minutes left in the half when Watson would get the Eagles on the board with a 1 yd TD run.  The extra point was no good but the Eagles would score again quickly as Criscuolo would fumble on the first play of the ensuing SHU possession and Kitlo Meme would scoop it up and take it to the house.  A missed 2 pt conversion would get the score to 12-9 in favor of UFTL.  But they weren’t done yet.  As time expired in the half, UFTL’s Watson connected with Ellex Davis for a 39 yd TD pass to take an 18-9 lead tot he locker room.  Cameron Neal would hit a 29 yd field goal late in the 3rd to cut the lead to 18-12 and breath some life into SHU.  The score would stick till late in the 4th when James Jordan would take the handoff and rumble 6 yds for the score to tie the game and Neal would give SHU the lead 19-18 with a successful extra point.  The Pioneer defense would pick up their 2nd safety of the game when a bad snap escapes UFTL’s Watson and rolls out the back of the endzone leading to the final score of 21-18 in favor of the Pioneers.

View the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Jordan James took home the MVP award at the NCFA National Title game by rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on the way to leading Sacred Heart to the NCFA Championship.

2016 Post Season History

The 2016 NCFA Playoffs featured two drastically different ball games.  In Salem, VA Middle GA State had no problem defeating the Mid Atlantic Conference Champions (Coppin State) by a score of 42-6).  However in Erie, PA it was a different story as Oakland and Eastern Connecticut went head to head.  The 2nd half would be played in a sleet storm with winds howling making passing the ball nearly impossible.  Late in the 3rd quarter, Eastern had the ball inside the Oakland 5 with a chance to punch it in for the lead, but a fumbled 4th down snap would not only end the drive but end momentum as Oakland would quickly turn the defensive stop into more points and an eventual 35-18 over an injury riddled Eastern team.

The 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was then set for #1 and undefeated Oakland to square off against #2 Middle Georgia State for the right to hoist the hardware. The game started with a quick score on an and Oakland 67 touch down pass to Raymond Artist.  The Knights would answer with two touchdowns of their own and control the play the remainder of the 1st half.  With just 18 seconds left to go in the half, MGA had the ball on the Oakland 3 and it looked like they were primed to punch it in and take a 21-7 lead to half time.  However, Oakland’s Shakeer Williams would make a leaping one handed interception on the passing play and race down the sideline 100 yards as time expired in the half.  Oakland would complete the 2 pt conversion and head to the locker room with an unexpected lead.  The 2nd half would be all about the Oakland defense who would shut out MGA the remainder of the game, and the right toe of Oakland’s kicker (Chris Polite) would add 3 field goals in the 2nd half to give Oakland a 24-14 win and their 2nd NCFA National Title in the last 3 years.

View the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

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Shakeer Williams took home the MVP award at the NCFA National Title game when his 97 yard Pick-6 as time ran out in the first half turned the tables for Oakland and gave them the momentum to win the NCFA Championship.

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2015 Post Season History

The 2015 NCFA Playoffs brought about everything a college football fan loves about fall Saturdays.  In the first game of the day, Middle Georgia State was able to redeem their 2013 National Championship  Game loss by knocking off Coppin State in a 13-12 nailbiter sending the Knights to their 2nd title game in 2 years.  The nightcap was just as exciting as Miami was able to fend off a surging NCFA newcomer (Sacred Heart) 24-21.

The title match was then set for #1 Miami to square off against #2 Middle Georgia State in the National Title Game.  In an epic game for the ages which featured 8 lead changes, Middle Georgia State came back from a half time deficit to defeat Miami 33-26 to take home their 1st National Title in program history.

View the 2015 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

View the 2015 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2015 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

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Eric Forest would take home MVP honors going 16-27 for 278 yards and 3 TDs and a 131.2 Passer Rating as he led the Knights to the title.

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2014 Post Season History

The 2014 NCFA National Title game would be the last (and perhaps only) one of it’s kind with the inception of the NCFA Playoffs set to begin in 2015.  Oakland (7-0) defeated Robert Morris (8-0) by the narrowest of margins (27-26) in the Great Lakes Conference Championship Game.  The close loss was not enough to drop Robert Morris outside of the top 2, in the NCFA Power Rankings and thus the 2014 National Championship Bowl would feature an astonishing rematch of these conference rivals.

With two teams freshly familiar with each other, the first game proved to be a defensive battle with the score knotted at 0 headed into half time.  4 Mins into the 3rd quarter, Oakland would get on the board first thanks to a 4 yd touchdown catch and run by Mitch Kuula.  It would take RMU just 2 and half minutes to respond with a touchdown of their own after Tyvon Davis would score on a 17 yard touch down pass from Tim Finney.  The big play would come with 4min left in the 3rd when Oakland’s Brandon Tucker would catch a 10 yard pass from Justin Mills and race down the field 60 yards for a score to take the lead.  Malike Pettway would tack on the two point conversion giving Oakland a 14-6 lead.  The momentum would once again shift in the 4th when Oakland’s Justin Mills would fumble in the endzone and RMU’s Austin Jenkins would scoop it up for the score.  However, RMU’s 2pt try would fall incomplete and Oakland’s tough defense would hold strong to preserve the 14-12 win.

Listen to the 2014 NCFA National Championship Bowl HERE.

View the 2014 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

View the 2014 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2014 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

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Brandon Tucker would take home MVP honors grabbing 2 passes for 92 yards including the a game changing 60 yard touchdown as he helped the Grizzlies win the title.

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2013 Post Season History

They knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but the Eagles from Coppin State had said it all along. They weren’t going to leave Salem, VA without a trophy. No. 2 Coppin State defeated top-ranked and undefeated Middle Georgia State by a score of 38-13 to take home its second consecutive NCFA National Championship title.

Middle Georgia State got things started with a touchdown from Rico Lyons and the Knights went up 7-0 midway through the first quarter. The Eagles answered with a touchdown of their own and converted for two points to take an 8-7 lead heading into the second quarter. Just a few minutes into the second, Coppin State quarterback Dominique Jackson connected with Jon Matthews on a 25-yard pass for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 14-7. The Knights were down, but had the ball back with plenty of time to spare in the first half. With 8:06 remaining in the first half, a muffed Middle Georgia State snap was recovered by the Eagles in the end zone to push the score to 16-7 before the half was over.

Out of the half, both teams were visibly determined to get the game under their belts. Less than two minutes into the third quarter, it was Coppin State who struck first with an eight-point drive to put the Eagles up 24-7. As time started to wind down, the Knights got the ball back and drove for more than 10 minutes of game-time. The push resulted in a 13-yard run for a touchdown but a missed extra point, cutting Coppin State’s lead to just 24- 13. Those would be the last points that Middle Georgia State scored on the evening while the Eagles continued to find ways into the end zone. With 2:55 left in the third quarter, the Eagles intercepted a Knights’ pass and took it to the house for another six. After completing the two-point conversion, Coppin State led 32-13.

With just 15 minutes left to be played, tempers flared on both sides of the field and the fourth quarter lasted more than 36 minutes real-time. Upwards of 40 personal foul penalties were called and six total players were ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. But in the end it was Coppin State who took home the victory, adding one last touchdown run before the game-clock sounded to win it 38-13 over Middle Georgia State.

Listen to the 2013 NCFA National Championship Bowl HERE.

View the 2013 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2013 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

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Gavin Hux earned the NCFA Bowl Game MVP award for his stellar game on the ground and more than 45-yards rushing.

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