Cortland vs. North Central (IL): 2023 DIII football championship | FULL REPLAY

Watch the full game replay of Cortland and North Central (IL) matchup in the the 2023 NCAA DIII football championship.

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Yeah there’s certainly a big goal ahead but you’re right you got to soak in these memories as you mentioned courtland’s first trip this doesn’t happen all the time right they won the toss elected to defer so that high potent offense of North Central will be on offense [Applause]

First Joey Lombardi and Shawn Allen back to return the kick for the Cardinals and off we go in the division three national championship this is Joey Lombardy who averages 432 yards per return He is electric has another one across the 30 but there is a flag back near the

20 the return holding return team number 22 half the distance to goal from the spot the foul first down special teams will be so key tonight you mentioned Lombardi so great as a return man but you cannot you see right there in the middle of screen to see number 43

The white jersey kind of getting pulled away little mistakes early on that’s going to back up this North Central offense so starting field position is inside the nine but this is a high-powered offense and Luke lanan who just got word today that he was the gardi trophy winner for best player in

All of division three football trots out there you’re not going to believe this number 53 incompletions this season 46 touchdown passes Craig almost as many touchdown passes as incompletions yeah it’s it is unheard of I I first saw that stat I did not believe it hand off Joe Sako the running back

Who’s ran for over 1600 yards this year gets a tough hardfought two yards well the thing that’s interesting about this offense though is they lead in scoring they lead in total offense and usually when you see those numbers you think it’s being done with a high power passing attack but this North Central

Offense really is built off the ground game they have rushed for almost 3500 yard more than their opponents this season second straight year that Sako has ran for nearly 10 yards a carry he just chews up yardage give it back to him Sako picking his way through the defense bounces off

Of one and that’s why he averages 10 yards a [Applause] carry Sako he’s only about 185 lbs but he runs like he’s about 220 and it’s a big reason why they’ve been able to put up those impressive rushing stats 325 yards a game as an offense

They score more than 60 60 points a [Applause] game first down gets rid of it to Sako the running back shakes away from one has a first down lowers the shoulder he’s finally Twisted down by Ryan isome after a gain of 14 a really nice job by Lon there immediately got pressure was able to kind of find his outy you’re

Going to see two Defenders right in his face he’s able to get it off to Sao and the watch just the balance to stay in bounds and pick up that extra yardage whether it’s in the Run game in the pass game Joe Sako can just get a ton of yards after contact [Applause]

Give it to him on some misdirection to the near side follows a block got crushed after just a few yards he gets three to bring up second down this courland Red Dragons defense may be is likely the biggest front seven that North Central faced this year and

They’re doing a good job early on of getting some penetration and they’re forcing Sako to have to kind of bubble a bit but he’s so patient as a runner he still able to kind of find some seams and even there get some positive yardage Battle of two strengths this is a

Courland defense that does not give up many points about 18 a game and ahead of a second down there’s a false start offense number 70 5y penalty second down moving the football but second time here early on North Central self-inflicted wound a holding on the opening kickoff

Return for Brad Spencer’s club now a FSE start puts them behind the chains on a second and long and it’s the first time Joe Sako is not in the back field now Shawn Allen in there the running back he’s got it no it’s kept by the quarterback Luke lanan to the right

Side Alex doosa makes the stop but a pick up of 10 makes it third and short yeah a little bit almost like a triple option watch takes the hand off he’s got the option to throw he’s able to make that one Defender Miss and turn up

Field as proficient as he’s been as a passer I me he’s second on the team in rushing as well yeah nearly 750 yards rushing for the quarterback Luke lanan this is a top 10 third down offense in the nation they’re already in four down territory trust me Charles Coleman straight up the gun

They won’t need four downs huge run on Third and two inside the 30 finally chased down by Mark Noel that’s a deep running back room nice job right up the Middle look at the push that they’re getting on the offensive line LED there by number 75 Nick Farley the left guard and Coleman such a nice change up to Sako because Coleman does have the

Size with which Sako thinks he has and runs with you said it yesterday sako’s only 190 but he acts like he’s 220 the way he runs after 34 yards on Third and two it’s now first down for north central inside the 30 lanan has time fires down the

Sideline to Lombardi and he threw it behind Him we’ve been so focused on that run game because literally that is the foundation which this offense is built they’ve got some Playmakers out wide Lombardi is one of those that pass there from Lon he been very efficient this year we talked about at 75% completion percentage but a little bit outside

There didn’t really give his receiver a Chance second and 10 on the end round it’s D’Angelo Hardy the wide receiver they get him involved plenty in the Run game and he’s got eight yards here to make it second and two just a little bit of a Jet Sweep he’s really a versatile weapon within

His offense number six finding ways to get him the football he has touchdowns this year as a receiver as a rusher and he’s even thrown one this guy can do it all and that courland coaching staff were well aware of number six they said we have to

Know where he is at all times there North Central finding a way to get him the football in that jet suep ninth play of the drive on Third and two Coleman’s got another third down conversion is second of the drive as he’s finally torn down at the

11 this time they use that same kind of action with Hardy coming across the formation kind of stretching out freezing that secondary and then a really nice job interior you see number 75 pulling around that was Farley number 67 Zack Fortier wrapping around with a nice block this courland

Defense had a good start to the drive but North Central continuing to chew up yards Eric stamman the offensive coordinator trying to see if his team can score an opening drive touchdown Sako this time he’s shut down runs into a wall of white jerseys led by Jack wey the leading tackler for

Courland I found it interesting that courland deferred just you know you’re really taking a chance when you put the top scoring offense in division three on the field first you know and I’m sure their thought was just try to maybe get momentum maybe try to get them off their

Game a little bit if we can get a three and out or stop them but as we’re seeing right now North Central doing what they’ve done so well all year move the football down the field outscoring opponents 560 to 77 in the first half this year just an absurd third

Number Sako stretching to the left ripped down at the 10 Jack whiny makes back-to-back plays for courland and a late flag flies in well the officials taking a long time to figure this one out personal foul offense number three 15 y penalty the clay counts be third

Down it’s the wide receiver Jacob par who’s called for the personal foul after the play you see Jacob par right there behind it’s a a blind side block see and running running yeah right the official that’s probably not a good thing to do can’t get away with that one when you

Literally bring the penalty to him so now all the way back at the 25 got to get to the one for a first down so third and 24 for the Cardinals coming up again they you know they’re thinking they’re going to operate with two more

Downs you don’t need to get try to get themselves into a more manageable third down third and 24 laning pressured escapes from Luellen On The Run takes off and he gets in between two guys but it’s a gain of just about seven and you’re looking at Fourth and still

17 they’re they’re not thinking field goal here they’ve only attempted two on the season and sha rik’s long is 34 yards Brad Spencer told us yesterday we want to go for it as much as possible but lanan is trotting off the field Shawn rck is in there to attempt a

35 yd field goal attempt would be his longest of the Season like Craig said has only attempted two all year long and before the field goal attempt a timeout taken by North Central the 30 seconds that’s kind of going against his normal thought process you know but it’s they’re really in a

Tough situation there ladies and gentlemen halfway into this first quarter North Central has had the ball the entire time decision time for North Central they kick the field goal or try to go for it early in the D3 National Title it’s a good one Brad Spencer does not like to kick

Field goals only two attempts all year for North Central so much so Craig that on a fourth and 17 the offense is going to stay on the field yeah he ran the kick her out you know inside he’s like I don’t want to kick I know I’m supposed

To kick I don’t want to kick now that offense is back out there and you know really they can’t pick up a first but really almost trying for a score here fourth and 17 from the 18 lennin the gardi trophy winner Zips it back of the end zone for Hardy through his hands

Incomplete and cland does something that almost almost nobody does and that stopped North Central on an opening drive but they had it they got their playmaker outside the pocket they had their talented wide receiver running in the back at the end zone just a little bit out of his

Reach watch Lane in city outside oh he knew he was so close got big number six running across the back of the Enzo just a little bit outside his out stretched hands so deferring comes out to be a good thing for courland offense starts it’s a fake boys rolling right being chased turns

The corner and walks himself out of bounds just a little shy of the marker he picks up eight yards on the opening play Zack Boyce has been dominant in the playoffs a career-high 400 yards a couple weeks ago in the quarterfinals eight touchdowns no picks in the last

Two weeks he’s really had a record setting season both uh with single season records and also school [Applause] records you watch him on tap the thing that jumps out is that release it’s quick he’s thrown for more than 3600 yards this year second most in the

Country on a play action Hees it deep looking for lap Bubbles and incomplete he had him and it looked like lap just started to stumble there at the end yeah they took that shot downfield off the play action he’s going to take that shot deep and he’s got the

Corner Ethan gor goric beat goric does a nice job he doesn’t look back he doesn’t give up he stays after you’re right a little bit outstretched there for lap and while he’s trying to bring it in oric is able to knock it away a really nice job there by the corner just

Staying after the play Kurt Fitzpatrick team eighth best third down offense in the nation they convert him 53% of the time Jaden Alano St John has the first down picks up three when he needed two and moves the chains it’s not surprising though to see Courtland take that shot as we’re going

To see the big back alfano St John working his way up field picking up that first Patrick rodford the offensive coordinator for kland we talked a lot about North Central’s offense but courland averages about 47 points a came themselves Alano St John tries to go over the top of

Groer and he hurdles him down to the 37 for seven yards they will depend a lot on number two tonight to run the football I know boy is a great quarterback but that is their Workhorse in the back field yeah he he’s a a big back as well there

Trying to go up and over there when you’re uh when you’re built like Alano St John 6’2 you should try to go through not over second down boy fires over the middle and a diving catch Cole Burgess across Midfield and a first down these receivers do a really nice

Job against own they’ve got tremendous fi see the inside receiver work it right there a little bit outstretched out great job there by Burgess extend and making the catch 15 yards for number 15 who’s the leading receiver this year he had 145 yards at three touchdowns last week in

Courtland’s semi-final win to get them to the national title game Alano St John ripped down in the back field Angelo cuzamano with his seventh tackle for loss this season as Courtland loses three yards kzum really quick to read that get up field do a nice job wrapping up on the

Tackle he’s kind of a little bit more of their coverage linebacker they’re making a nice play against the Run kind of a do-it-all guy in the linebacker spot for them coming off his best game of his career had eight tackles against wartberg a week ago in the semi-finals second and

13 boys with a clean pocket now flush to the left fires on the run against his body completes it to the tight end ofari Kendrick well we talked about Lan’s ability for North Central be able to escape there we saw it from boys he had it but then dropped it going

Down to the ground right there the ball hits the [Applause] grounds that was Nick Rumble doing a nice job of coming up and separating with that hit not allowing the catch to be made Nick Rumble really a versatile player he’s played receiver and Corner actually both of these Corners tonight for North Central

Players that have moved over from offense the defense I think that’s why they took that shot [Applause] early third and [Applause] 13 boys looking right launches to the sideline and it’s batted down by Gro again couple nice plays in coverage by the sophomore quarterback on this drive yeah receiver year ago looking really

Good at corner there watch him just in position finds the football gets that left hand up that’s almost textbook that outstanding play twice now on that drive they tested number 31 and he answered Shane deking the defensive coordinator told us when grower came back from injury this year that’s when

Our dirt defense really turned around it’s a kland punt Jacob per calls for the fair catch at the 20 and it’s a 31 yd punt under four to go in the first quarter here in Salem the Stag bow is scoreless between courland and North Central nothing more fun than crowning a

National champion North Central has been here for four consecutive years they’ve won two of the three and they’re trying to make it backto back under Brad Spencer who has never lost a game as a head coach he’s got this thing pretty well figured out Craig 29 and0 all time

Yeah he’s off to a good start nobody has won more games in a row currently in all of college football than this North Central team 29 straight South Dakota State’s in action right now in Brookings the number one team in the FCS first play of North centrals Drive

Joe Sako spins away from one and he’s tumbled down at the 31 he picks up 11 yards Sam prior the Right Guard just had a crushing block drove the defender back created a great Lane there that offensive line is playing well early on one of four guys on that offensive line

For North Central named of the All Conference team this year I mean that is a nasty and physical front five laning uncorks it to the far sideline and that was too far for Joey Lombardy twice now early in this game they’ve tried to go to number

13 in their win against wartberg a week ago to make it here to the championship game he only had four catches but they were all significant two of them for touchdowns and big gains and unable though here early on to kind of get him going nice coverage there by courand

Yeah coach studman the offensive coordinator for North Central said he showed up in a big way for us last week and we know he has that capability every week Sako with a good cut back to the middle this guy is so elusive Craig the first guy there never makes the tackle

Yeah I mean that was a great cutback because it looked like cland did a great job of reading that they had two Defenders there he was able to slam on the brakes turn it back inside pick up some positive yardage going to watch him get to the

Outside you’re going to see two white jerseys flash up field he just turns it back inside he’s ran for over a 100 yards 10 times this season third and five they go back to him Sako has a CO hole and there he goes Joe Sako finally tracked down at the 15 by Mark

Noel you know what they say good things come to those who wait watch He’s patient then he finds that crease to the outside able to break it for a big run there 49 yards for Sako on third down to put North Central all the way down to the 15

He’s already approaching a 100 yards here8 for 81 you know what that equals Craig 10 yards a carry right at his average he gets a blow after the 49 yd run Charles Coleman’s in the back field now he gets the touch they give him seven yards on first

Down Alex doosa makes his second tackle Coleman’s been getting some touches here early with some between the tackle runs he only had two last week in the semi-final win against wartberg but he’s rattled off a couple third down runs that have given them a first down and because that he’s getting more touches

He’s also got good hands out of the back field as well he he’s caught nine passes this year six of them for touchdowns this is D’Angelo Hardy directs snap to the wide receiver but it was played well by the courland defense for just a yard talked a little bit earlier about

Hardy’s versatility here they put him in at Wildcat using lanan as the back trying to catch that defense kind of off Guard three for four on third down today is North Central Charles Coleman the running back that’s in there right now has has two of those conversions third and three and he’s met behind the line of scrimmage Jaden Martinez the linebacker with the penetration to bring up fourth

Down yeah Martinez is going to do he’s right at the top of the screen watch how he just gets flat down the line quickly reads it able to wrap up bring down Coleman before he’s able to even get G they don’t have to snap it the first

Quarter clock is set to run out before the fourth [Applause] down we might be scoreless after one quarter but it’s been a fun one North Central and Portland headed to the second quarter next well coach Fitzpatrick you talked to us about wanting to slow down North Central offense a scoreless game after one

Quarter what’s been the key to your defense’s play so far well we I I don’t know if we’ve slowed them down as much as I’d like but we’ve played good red zone defense and made big plays especially in their first drive to get them off the field and just made a big

Stop on third down there to put him in fourth down we’ll see what they do here with in terms of going forward or kicking a field goal but you know Ben but don’t break is okay eventually we got to play better defense but know we’re we’re we’re settling in right

Coach thanks thank you well Craig as he was saying Bend but don’t break I was thinking that exact same thing because in two drives North Central has 164 yards but no points yeah I mean they’ve been effective but still got another down here to get it done fourth and four

Laning stumbles and is sacked lost the football it’s not going to matter it was forked down it’s courland football anyways but they’re saying fumble recovered by Jack wey and kland Red Dragons football well will improve field position but that bendo break defense getting it done again on the outside you

See Wy in Pursuit able to bring him down looked like he was down before that ball popped out you’re going to see here as you see wh coming from behind oh that ball was out yeah that ball was out only the seventh turnover all year for North

Central and again in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t change anything it’s still Courtland ball no matter what just gives a little bit more positive starting position two big defensive stops for kland alfano St John spinning away from one tackler and he’s dragged down by the

Leg a loss of three Martin Eggo makes the play James Hart number 95 doing a nice job kind of plugging things up there in the middle this is a defensive line for North Central they’ll rotate in several bodies feel like they’re got too deep there Eggo he’s

Kind of the the pass rushing Specialist of that unit boys to throw on second down running out of space somehow squeaks through takes off using the legs boys making something out of nothing and now making everything out of nothing what a run for Zack boy that’s a man’s run of 28

Yards yeah things were just starting to squeeze around him they like there was going to be anywhere to go he was able to find an escape hatch to get to the second level and just finish it off with some tough running there this offense leading into this

Drive only had 31 yards of total offense in the first quarter give him a little bit of a spark there with that run biggest play of the day and a flag thrown to blow the play dead a false start against courtand offense number 15 fivey penalty

First down it’s such a little thing but you want to you want to feed off of that energy from the run and then you get that penalty and I watch him right there see just moving too early there first penalty of the day for Kurt Fitzpatrick’s team backs him up five

Yards makes this the first and 15 end round for the wide receiver Cole Burgess he gets all of the penalty yardage back on his own penalty and then a couple more seven yards Cole Burgess four time all conference guy they have not been able to get him

Going early on he’s quick as a receiver really effective underneath routes went over 3,000 career yards receiving on his first catch today Quick Pass caught over the middle shakes away from one that’s idio Who’s down near the marker he he’s got eight yards and it’s enough for a first

Down they say he’s kind of the third down specialist it was only second but he said you know what I’m going to pick up the first down for you anyway once again doing a nice job just finding a little bit of a soft spot against that

Zone boy he puts it right on him and he’s able to make one Defender Miss there we were talking earlier today and you think he’s the X Factor for Courtland yeah I mean he is a guy who just makes a lot of plays as boy on the

Move boys tumbling down he’s got the first down 11 yds to move the chains a couple big plays in a row for this courland offense boys he’s been so effective as a passer this year sometimes you don’t really think of him as a dual threat but

Now twice in his Drive we’ve seen what he can do when he does tuck it and run does that just show you how much he does in the past game because he’s ran for just under 700 yards this season and yet you don’t really talk about that

It’s almost like a uh it’s very much an underrated part of his game boys is dropped behind the line Bobby Medina with the sack part of the future of the program right there only a freshman once again you’re going to watch things you’re going to start to collapse see Medina

Coming around the edge doing a nice job this time not letting boys Escape great just pressure watch how everything collapses around him allows Medina to get the sack Shane deer King the defensive coordinator told us that Medina’s been a little bit of a surprise for them they didn’t necessarily think

That he would be as productive as he has been as a freshman second and 16 for boy has a clean pocket this time dumps it off to alfano St John who’s ripped down inside to 30 he’s got 10 yards and makes this third down a little more manageable yeah

Good job by boys there just nothing there checking it down to Alano St John as you mentioned just now putting themselves in a better position here on third [Applause] down Red Dragons just one for two on third down today need the 22 to move the chains and before the third down

A timeout taken the first of the day by courland they want to talk it over before a big third down still scoreless two of the highest powered offenses in the nation haven’t been able to score yet it’s a big third down coming up for the Red Dragons needs six yards Alano St

John stretching to the right side and he’s ripped out of bounds Ethan groark who has made play after play in this first half gets the third down stop has made a couple of plays in coverage they’re going to try to get up Ono St John to the edge you see number

31 just play off the block quickly close and make the tackle oh looks like Kurt Fitzpatrick is keeping the offense out there on this fourth down need to get to the 22 to move the chains and keep the drive alive boys stepping up lost it to the sideline

It’s pulled in adio with the catch and it’s a first down for courland and he has been so crucial for them in tough situations it starts with the big guys up front they’re going to give him a little time nice job there by Boys stepping up in the pocket and just

Watch him lay it in there showing a little bit of touch the offensive coordinator Patrick Ro told us earlier this week that he’s not as flashy as a couple of other wide receivers but man he just makes plays when we need him to Ashton Capone gets his first Carry and he lunges down

Inside the 10 he picks up five yards was such a nice pass you just saw like four red jerseys there boys able just to kind of layer it right in there drop it in there vert that big fourth down if you’re a fan of place kickers this is not the championship game for

You don’t like to trot the field goal units out very much two teams that go for it on fourth down a lot Capone this time has stood up after maybe just a yard it’s a North Central team Craig that has not been down very much this

Year only one time all season long have they been down that was in the fourth quarter of last week in the semifinals but they don’t play in very many close games and and they quickly responded and took that lead back last week all right they’re used I mean in the first half

This year I mean they have just outscored opponents 560 to 77 North Central so they’re used to just busting out of the gates end around for Burgess tries to get a block out in front of them wanted to leap over the top but groark stayed up made it down to the

Five couple yards fourth and short they’ve already gone for it and got it on fourth down already in this drive going to try to get Burgess to the edge you’re going to watch thir doing a great job just playing off that block but Burgess such great body control as

He was going down able to kind of get back on his feet that was a cat-like move Portland got a fourth and six already this is a fourth and two and Courtland uses its second timeout of the drive still scoreless but Courtland knocking on the door at the

Five trying to take the lead against the number one team in the nation the college football playoff semi-finals are New Year’s Day on ESPN and the app number one Michigan taking on number four Alabama in the Rose bow game presented by credential at 5 Eastern 2 Pacific then it’s number two Washington

Number three Texas in the All State Sugar Bowl the winners play on Monday January 8th for the national championship on ESPN courland had a chance to go to the big house just two weeks ago in the quarterfinals they took onma who’s in Michigan got to practice The Practice

Facility got to see the big house couple weeks later here in Salem playing for a national title boy needs two yards running right he won’t get there penetration again from the north central [Applause] defense will Kettle camp with the stop on fourth down and this game is still

Scoreless fourth and two boys can’t pick it up nor Central takes over on the turnover on Downs thank goodness there’s no snow in Salem like there was in that last picture we got a gorgeous night tonight don’t we yeah I mean it’s we’ve got weather conducer for a lot of scoring but none

Of his go we got a lot of bending and no breaking 50th stag Bowl the 26th of which being played here in Salem a town that host a lot of NCAA championships 101 all time have been played here in Salem and Brad Spencer the north central

Head coach told us I don’t know why they never played anywhere but Salem this is a great place to host it North Central’s defense got a stop on Fork down offense takes over inside their own 10 lanan fires to Hardy but it’s incomplete they’re having a tough time

Just kind of keeping a consistent Rhythm putting lanon on the move there first two drives this offense has moved the ball really well 73 and 58 yards respectively but a turnover on downs and a fumble Craig they just haven’t been able to punch it in there’ been some penalties sprinkled in there

They’re making plays as you said they’re moving it but there’s always seems to kind of be that point where they get a little bit off Rhythm and Lane in the gardi trophy winner just two for six so far a Shawn Allen with a stutter step and he gets

Pulled down from behind at the 15 for seven yards the interior of that North Central offensive line they are fun to watch are blocking down folding around doing a great job getting up to second level that’s Jaden Martinez the second leading tackler for courland who is slow to get off the

Field a big part of that defense along with Jack wey both transfers from Nassau Community College they were the two leading tacklers at Nassau the last two years and now the two leading tacklers here for Courtland [Applause] for Central keeps it on the ground here on third

Down Coleman’s the running back in there he’s picked up two third Downs already today but instead rolling right Hardy with his first catch today and he’s wrestled out of bounds but not until a first down right in the slot there you’re going to see him work to the outside as

The outside receiver runs off the corner giving that cushion there for Hardy we’ve seen them use him already a few different ways an NFL prospect head coach Brad spener was saying that’s what the NFL Scouts have said they’ve liked about number six is that he can do a lot of different

Things he said he’s absolutely going to get a look because all the NFL Scouts tell one another hey you need to go check out a North Central practice this D’Angelo Hardy kid is for Real lanan uncor it for Lombardi incomplete coverage downfield was the true freshman Nas Jean

Luben once they’re still trying to get Lombardi going but number 30 he’s fun to watch like he is only a freshman but plays with such confidence he had an outstanding breakup in their win a week ago in the semis he just he is playing like an upper classman the way he has

Been executing here late in the playoffs Steve Cushing the DC said we want him playing with that confidence we like that from him fake the hand off to Allen lanan rolls left running out of room and he’s yanked down Nick lero with his team leing ninth sack of the

Season a loss of eight to bring up third and long those The Courtland coaches said that Nick ler was really shown up in the last three games you’re going to see money Edge setting the edge keep stretching keep stretching and then L tries to cut it back and lero says you

Know what just going to finish this myself outstanding job there on the Edge by lero player lost last year with an ACL and what a bounceback here he’s had this year coming back third and 18 lanan found a seam has some space on the right sideline he’s got the first

Down on thir third and 18 the national Player of the Year delivers there is a flag late that comes in at the very end of the play near Midfield 24 yards in a first down currently but half to check in on this flag sideline interference North Central

Sideline 15 penalty from the end of the run it will be a first down so sideline warning but it does not wipe away the first down you see laning here using that speed getting to the top and we’ll see maybe where that interference came along the sideline but again even with the

They still get that first down you see there from Lane in the speed it’s a player coaches were telling us they’ve measured hitting 21 miles per hour with the Catapult he’s got 27 stolen bases over the last two seasons on the baseball team so he could scoot

Not just a two sport athlete but excels a Gold Glove winner National Player of the Year as a quarterback is Joe Sako who gets crushed out of bounds after just a yard that’s what I mean you know we talked about it when this drive started like they’re making plays or moving the

Football but it’s almost like one step forward two steps back even with that nice run they pick up the first down they got to give up yards and just have not been able to get into the Rhythm that they’ve been all year that has allowed them to average 60 points per

Game almost 200 yards of total offense night Craig but again no points have shown up for him this is a second and long laning with a clean pocket snaps it over the middle to Hardy has the first down before he’s upended by Jaden Martinez good to see

Him back out there after he had to go off the field a few plays ago Hardy once again working inside inside receivers the tight ends able to clear out give Hardy some room to work underneath and that’s all right it’s a big play but you find ways you

Get the football in in his hands even it’s underneath keep him involved second catch today for Hardy who’s back-to-back years as an [Applause] All-American hand off to Sako patient run ducking across the 40 for four yards Carri North Central’s offense has never scored less than 21 points in a first

Half this year nothing with three to go before halftime that’s certainly Uncharted Territory they struggled in the second half a week ago against warberg but those were really tough weather conditions still able to get the win but here in the first half able to get in the endzone laying in on second

Down ton of time now a escapes to the right pulls on to it throws it out of play outstanding job by that red drag in secondary the offensive line was able to give Lan in a pocket give him some time but just nowhere to go with the football

And once he was able to break outside did a nice job of ring out allowing him to run this might be the most fun z00 game at almost halftime I’ve ever seen yeah I mean both teams are moving the football they just once they get in the Red Zone

Run out of gas this is not like Raiders Vikings last week I can tell you that third down lanan holds on to it design run picks up the first down bounces away from one and he twists his way across Midfield before Jean Luben makes the stop on a 12yd run by the quarterback

This is a designed run all the way going to watch number 58 pirate get up to second level get that block all Lane in some room to run great block there by the junior you see him right there in the middle of the screen number 58 help to Spring

Lanan as dual threat as they come Lan’s thrown for more than 3,200 yards ran for almost 800 this season and picks up a needed first down flag is down to blow the play dead it’s a false start against North Central there we see again positive negative yeah

Right to the snap FAL start offense number 75 first down Nick Farley the left guard fifth penalty against North Central toss to Sako Cuts back up the middle spins away from one tackled from behind near the marker he gets 14 yard yards not quite a first down before Christian Powell

Finally makes the tackle a little toss out to Sako going to get a Defender up field see right there white flashes he’s able to cut back inside and then we just see more of that tough running from number 24 over a 100 yards in this first half

For Joe Sako the 11th time this season the junior running back’s done that Coleman on second and short stretching to the edge has the first first down and a whole lot more to the sideline with a stiff arm and he’s ushered out inside the [Applause] 15 that’s started on the edge with a

Tremendous block by number seven Jessie Maples watch number 70 at the top of the screen watch him keep working he’s going to reach he’s going to reach he’s going to give the corner there to Coleman once he gets to that second level to get some yard Jesy Maples team allamerican backto

Back years as the offensive lineman of the year in the conference and North Central has already ran for 202 yards in this first half keep it on the ground with the quarterback lanan just a little shy of the marker Luke Winslow tracks him down and pushes him out good ball handling there by

Lanan that a really sold that defense with the action to the right able to take off to his left this is nothing new for North Central 210 yard on the ground but this is the second best running offense in the nation Craig at 325 yards a game 101 one minute one second thank

You this a North Central offense by this point of the first half they’re usually used to making their fourth or fif trip to the end zone they’re still trying to break through but that courland defense that coach Kurt fatrick said it it’s been Bend but don’t break can can continue

That 15th play of the drive toss to Coleman bounces away from one touchdown North Central finally on the board bringing Coleman around looked like they were going to break up this play as there were some penetration but good footwork there from Coleman at above it a little bit it gets turned up field

Able to punch it in sth total touchdown of the playoffs for Coleman who’s technically the third string running back North Central trying to defend their National Title it’s been tough sleding in the first half but now North Central able to punch it in and take the lead the NCAA Championship season

Continues tomorrow with the division 2 football championship between two seed Harding and one seed Colorado School of Mines at one Eastern right here on ESPNU for more information go to NCAA your official home for all 90 NCAA championships not the game we expected to have in the slightest Craig but this

Division three championship game has been awesome in the first half yeah it just it’s been a lot of body blows here that North Central able to kind of land kind of the first stunning shot of this first half that drive 15 plays 92 yards they picked up 73 and 5 eight

Yards respectively on each of their first two drives but those ended in a turnover on downs and a fumble finally able to turn it into seven this is Cole Burgess from the three has the sideline follows a block and he’s out near the 30 and for Courtland they knew the

Offensive Juggernaut that they were facing but they’re keeping it close and that was the goal down just seven shortly before half time time in the D3 title game bull season begins tomorrow with seven games on ESPN ABC and ESPN plus our ESPN quadruple header starts at 11:00 a.m. eastern with Georgia Southern

In Ohio then Jacksonville State takes on Louisiana followed by New Mexico state and Fresno State and we cap the day with Cal and Texas Tech in the radiance Technologies Independence bow not to mention the division 3 title right in front of us the D2 championship game is tomorrow at one

Eastern it is football season in December Zack boy this is caught Amari Kendrick the tight end has his second catch they want to move want to try to make some plays the key thing though is do not give North Central this limited amount of time the football back and a

Chance you’re not kidding boys launches deep down the sideline for lap and it’s just a little too far and a little bit shaken up as JJ lap walking off the field now gor who’s done a really nice job in his first half just staying after it a little bit out stretch there for

Lap those corners for North Central done a really nice job in that first half yeah Gro especially but Nick rumbles made a couple plays in coverage courland in danger of getting shut out in the first half for the first time all season good news is they’ve

Kept it close with the number one team in the nation boy stepping up in the pocket he has some space escapes one and tiptoes the sideline picking up a few extra yards nothing there he’s going to escape out turn in look like he was going to go out of

Bounds but you know at first I was like I don’t know if I like that but you know what the defender overran it he was right you know good job there nearing Midfield still have 27 seconds one timeout boys getting out of pressure Zips it to the sideline it’s

Caught idio with the catch at the 37 got them both down really nice job by boys here getting outside the pocket but both feet down nice job there 17 yards up to the 37 he’s been the one consistent for them in this first half third catch for idio today in this first

Half and cland still with 21 seconds in a Timeout they’ve got a chance to score before half time here’s boy escapes but then he got tripped up raran Roby with the tackle and the clock is still winding courand has a timeout and finally they take it I’m wondering if they might add

A few more seconds to the clock or did it really take them that long to get it the half 30 second timeout please reset the game clock to 11 seconds there was he boys in the pocket they were going to bring pressure off the edge see number 14 gets blocked but

He’s able to just trip up Bo enough that he does not able to get his moment you’re going to see him come in from his right see him just reach out that hand and trip him up right let a lot of time go and you know it’s in a tough situation you

Because they’re outside their field goal kickers range yeah Mike bela’s long this season is just 39 yards the ball is at the 37 right now so really with the amount of time you almost I mean you get it out they put did put a little bit of time on

That we’ll give now maybe a chance to try to get one out to the sideline real quick that probably has to be the plan of attack Right One play Get Out of Bounds one guy may be looking for to in this situation is number six Joe idio has a catch on this drive

Already and Patrick rodford told us this week he’s come up with big play after big play for us in the playoffs he two is right in the slot second and 10 boys stepping up don’t have a lot of time he’s got to get out of bounds and

He does took a hit and it was late the flag comes in this is huge eight yards but it looks like they’re going to add a few more to it see boys he’s trying to get to the sideline I mean it I mean he was out of bounds as momentum was there and

Certainly AR was yeah there’s no need for that shove there and they’re going to do Courtland a big service Here personal foul Defense number 34 automatic first down so it’s BJ adami who gets called for the personal foul half the distance to the goal and with 6 seconds to go they are certainly in field goal range and in fact Mike bogga is out there to attempt a 31 yd field

Goal his long this season is 39 no win tonight courand gets the ball to start the second half too so a chance to get points right before the break and then get the football to start the Third timeout taken by North Central right ahead of the field goal trying to ice

Belga that penalty just looms large because they probably were you know were going to still struggle to get into field goal range without that penalty yardage bull season begins tomorrow with seven games on ESPN ABC and ESPN plus we’ve got an ABC triple header starting at noon Eastern 9:00 a.m. Pacific with

Howard in Florida A&M in the cricket celebration Bowl then Miami Ohio takes on App State and the avocados from Mexico cure and we finish up with UCLA and Boise State in the starco brands La bowl at Sofi Stadium seven bowl games tomorrow the division 2 national championship and an FCS playoff game all

[Applause] tomorrow 6 seconds left before halftime Courtland with a chance to get on the board with a 31 yd field goal attempt from Mike Bela kick on the way and it’s right down the middle 1 second still remaining in the quarter and cland avoids what would have

Been the first time they were shut out in the first half since 2016 saw a little bit of a headshake there from North Central head coach Brad Spencer he knows that you know what gave him three yeah we helped you right there again courtand knew it I mean this

Is a North Central team that roughly by 490 points outscored opponents in the first half there was one second on the clock but now they’re saying halftime and I think Brad Spencer’s saying hey we should have a chance for a kickoff return because his kickoff return guy Joey Lombardo

Averages 44 yards a return and has three kickoff returns for a touchdown this year I don’t know that many coaches would be fighting this hard but Brad Spencer absolutely should be two seconds on the game clock two seconds so now they’re going to put two seconds on the

Clock actually got it one extra second Yeahs you’re right I mean they have been dynamic in the kick return game you want that opportunity especially if you know it’s just said we were talking about it they they kind of helped them to get those three points and for courtand they

May be trailing but to be going into half with a team like North Central that has been so prolific in the first half that’s a win really they’ve checked the Box in their to-do list they said we want to drag this into the late third quarter the fourth quarter as a close

Game if we can do that we feel like we got a chance to topple North Central yeah Kurt Fitzpatrick said that yesterday to us we have to weather the storm we know how good North Central is in the first half but if we can make this a close game North Central doesn’t

Play in very many of those do not kick it to 13 they kick it on the ground 13’s going to pick it up anyways Joey Lombard he’s got three kickoff returns for a touchdown this year running out of room on the sideline squeezes through a couple but then he’s taken [Applause] Down Zack boy in Courtland gets the football to starts the second half lowc scoring game not what we imagine but a great one here in the Stag B division three National Championship from Salem North Central looking for backto back Courtland in its first time ever here trying to knock off the mighty

Cardinals welcome back to the Stag Bowl on ESPN division 3 national championship game from Salem Virginia and we’ve got a great one at the break 7 to3 between North Central and kland with 30 minutes left to determine a national champion hello everyone we welcome you back inside the booth Craig hbert Noah

Reed with you Ashley strol line down on the field as well two of the most prolific offenses in the nation they combined for 107 points per game so seven to three exactly where we thought we’d be right yeah right well you know the old adage defense wins championships

That is certainly the situation you’re in right now what’s really interesting is throughout that whole first half each team only had three possessions a lot of it was time possession working their way down the field there were five Red Zone opportunities between the two teams but

Only the 10 points that came within the last minute of the half so s to three 10 total points in the first half means there was a lot of Defense to be seen absolutely I mean both teams defenses have really stepped up go land try to a

Little bit outstretch trying to find a star receiver there number six Hardy and back boy trying to get outside but will Kettle Camp there to make the play both teams were very aggressive in that first half there were six fourth down attempts but between the two teams only one of

Them was able to convert a first down and there you s saw Coleman punching in to help get North Central on the board with the first touchdown well North Central despite only the seven points they’re doing what they do all the time and that’s run the football so well 215

Yards on the ground and when you see 20 63 yards in the first half they just haven’t been able to punch it in very much yeah both teams have been able to move the football but really especially for North Central penalties penalties really took the Rhythm out of drive and

Actually helped courtand get in a position to put those three points on at the end of the half yeah a late hit on the next to last play before halftime by BJ adamic put courland in field goal position Mike Bela was able to get the three points get Courtland on the board

And and Kurt’s Kurt Fitzpatrick’s team deferred the toss to start so courtland’s offense led by Zack boy gets the football first I will say I questioned that early on but it was it was a smart [Applause] move Cole Burgess from the nine on the return reversing to the left side

Escapes from one tackler couldn’t get anything going in front of him he’s out at the 27 to start the drive and we check in now with Ashley on the sidelines hey guys well I had the opportunity to speak to North Central head coach Brad Spencer as he was headed

In to the locker room at halftime and he told me I’m very happy with my defense and I’m very unhappy with my offense there’s been two times that we’ve been inside the 10 and managed to get zero points that just can’t be what we’re doing we have to finish those drives he

Said I feel like we’re simply just letting Courtland stay in this game and as you guys saw there is time wound down at the end of the half he wasn’t too happy with some of the officials he said we can’t control that stuff we’ve got to control what we can control and that’s

Air brand of football yeah team that scores 60 points per game you don’t hear your coach say I’m not happy with the offense very much but only seven first half points boy drops it out Amari Kendrick the tight end has his third catch of the game and he gets planted

Out of bounds near the 40 there we just saw a little bit of a glimpse Zack boy of what we’ve saw on film he’s going to put it in the pocket to the back pull it out then get it right out to his tight end number 84 that quick

Execution you’re right lucky did not get a penalty there Alano St John reversing course back to the left the quarterback boys gives him a block picks up eight yards on the Run tackled by Alano St John and they going to watch boys he follow me I’m your lead blocker

Had actually doing a great job there this guy is doing everything boys has accounted for 147 of the 166 yards today and he’s given blocks to his running backs faked alono St John unleashes to the sideline pulled in by Burgess got got the first down seeing a little bit of the arm

Strength there from boyss that that far that pass went a ways able to deliver it a nice route you see working from that far has getting it out there receiver Burgess the catch we’ve talked a lot about lanan being the gardy trophy winner but Zack boy was a semi-finalist for that top 20

Player in the nation was Boy Alano St John spinning away from a tackler and he’s stacked up at the 39 for three yards you said at halftime Craig you were surprised that Jaden alono St John wasn’t getting more touches they’ve gone to him a couple times in this first

Drive now yeah he’s been so instrumental within this offense throughout the year I mean he came in rushing for over 14400 yards had 100 roughly 20 more carries in the next leading rusher on this team but he was very quiet in that first half try to get some more you know balance to

This offensive attack you know Patrick rodford wants to get him more carries he’s the offensive coordinator but also the offensive line coach loves to run the football Bo searching out to the left picks up the first down and he jogs out himself picks up seven yards moves the

Chains good job there that offensive line give it some time going to watch number 75 at the top of your screen watch him just collapse down that defensive line and just give that soft edged there for Zack boys to be able to get around it pick up that

First you had kind of mentioned this in the first half but the running ability for him just gets so overlooked because of what he does in the past game yeah but again he right behind Alano St John and rushing on this team in to some total

Yards low snap to boy caral it has an open man on the sideline it’s caught by Buress he’s down inside the 10 first and goal now for courland who has a chance to take the lead after 23 yards that was really pretty good as you mentioned that snap was a little low

He’s going to scoop it up then watch the shoulder fake that’s going to draw up the defender to allow for that cushion there for Buress going watch watch see the defender underneath number 10 he was drawn up by that shoulder fake that allowed bird just to slip behind

Him on a low snap still able to kind of get that play fake going outstanding job there by boys boys is three for three this drive for 45 yards looking to pass this time to the end zone to burges again did not get his feet in he’s out of bounds

Zack boy pass R in we’re going to see BS here and and then he’s going to get that that right fo oo I think he got that left foot down you’re going to watch that left foot is it down oh yeah that’s down right yeah look possession got to take a

Look at that is under further rev oh and he’s dragging the right foot it’s ruled no catch that’s always important to note on the field but he definitely got that left foot in I think he might have dragged the right foot too once again it was nice execution

From Zack boy he gave a little bit of a shoulder fake allowed that opportunity for Burgess to be able to kind of create some separation I also didn’t see any Bobble it was a clean cat did you right at first I was so hyper focused on that

Left foot then he got the right one down too right probably good on Sunday and Burgess is already saying it’s a [Applause] touchdown after further review the receiver had possession with his left foot inbounds the rolling on the field is overturned touchdown how about that overturned Cole

Courtland takes its first lead of the day Cole Burgess there extends that left foot’s in then watch him drag across that right and I’ll tell you what even if that right wasn’t down doesn’t matter had that left in outstanding execution there by Cole Buress a senior seven plays 72 yards just over three

Minutes off the clock and belala with the extra point first time today only the second time all season North Central’s been down how do they respond to adversity what a start to the second half for courland just over three minutes off the clock they drive down and take their

First lead of the day with a Cole Burgess touchdown yeah some outstanding just ball handling by Zack boy and here see the little shoulder figs going to allow Cole Burgess to get the separation and outstanding concentration hauling that in getting that foot down and getting Courtland on the board

Outstanding job of finishing that first half and coming out in the second half getting more points it was originally called incomplete overturns to give him a touchdown only the second time all year North Central has been down the first came last week in the semi-finals in the fourth quarter here’s Joey Lombardi the

Electric Return Man for North Central and he gets out across the 30 football came loose at the End I never got a signal that he was down but courland comes up with the football or rather North Central comes up with the football Lombardi working up as he’s going down that knee is down yeah it wouldn’t have matter he’s down and his elbows out down everything’s down the ball comes

Out that’s what you call a mute point North Central football no matter what Luke Lane and the gardi trophy winner for National Player of the Year threw for just 48 yards ran for 40 in the first half not the most efficient first half for him he holds on to the

Football here rolling right and tried to shot put it but it’s batted down by Jaden Martinez they tried to slip number six D’Angelo Hardy their outstanding receiver out there was a lot of traffic Courtland didn’t give him kind of a free release there was nowhere to go with the

Football as we see them continue just to try to Spring Hardy into action here and it feels like they’re kind of doing anything they can to get laning going too second down lanan to throw Zips it out to his running back but he threw it behind Sako backto back incompletions to

Start this drive for lanan who’s now just five of 13 on the day a first half for North Central where they only had three drives they moved the football extremely well Craig but only able to get one touchdown out of it you mentioned that just overall stat line he that many incompletions usually

Doesn’t have an entire game yeah here early in the third quarter only had 53 incomplete passes all season long in the first 14 games he’s got eight today hand off to Sako and there’s nowhere to go he’s wrapped up after just three [Applause] yards anytime they usually get around

Their own 40 they’re thinking go for it on Fourth now key thing to remember is lanan is their punter as well y the quarterback is the punter as well for Brad Spencer I think here you got to you got to drop back you got to kick

It you don’t want to Courtland feeling a little momentum now with outstanding field position there you go yeah there he drops back to punt [Applause] it nobody’s back there to field it it does take a little bit of a North Central roll down to the 15 and that’s where it’s touched

Up 47 yd punt for Lan and Courtland gets the football back up by three in the national title game stag Bowl number 50 the division 3 national championship game in Salem a stage that Courtland has never been on in program history but they’re looking really good Craig against the team

That’s trying to make it backto back and three of the last four national championships for courland there’s a lot of football to play but this really could be a pivotal drive because if they can get points on the board they could really start to push North Central into

A situation that they are not using two a false start here on the first play so that backs up courland five yards offense number 88 5y penalty first down as you mentioned a little bit ago North centrals this is only the second time all season they Trail last first

Time was last week and when they did Trail they quickly responded and retook the lead so now if courtley can get themselves in a situation not to a good start with the penalty but if they can get themselves in a situation where they can extend the lead already scored a touchdown in this

Third quarter alono St John has nowhere he’s wrapped up by James Hart and driven backward for a loss of [Applause] one James Hart big number 95 right there in the middle see rout low man wins great job with the leverage using his hands plays off the block makes a nice

Tackle outstanding execution there by the senior in the middle of that defense he was two gapping there nice job there for number 95 they have been so good at stopping the run tonight and all season long five tackles for loss now for this North Central defense play action boys fake

Zips it to the sideline caught by Buress who had the touchdown last drive and he gets drilled out of bounds goes for 11 yards and makes this third down a little closer was a nice job there by Nick Rumble number eight he took away they were trying to take a shot down field

Nick Rumble was running with the receiver forced him to have to go underneath set up this third down what does Patrick rodford the offensive coordinator draw up here on a third and five his team leading the number one team in the [Applause] country boys leaping forward but he’s down about three yards shy

More Central defensively really just able to squeeze out pocket around him and trip him up that is Zack boy the quarterback who is down on the ground slow to get up holding the left leg not the thing you want to see at all if you’re a Courtland fan

Zach boy trying to escape the pocket maybe that tough to see there what is but what is great to see him walking out walking off under his own power so boys walking off the field it’s a fourth down regardless so we won’t see the backup quarterback

Yet Vin mazone we’ll see if boys is able to go by the next drive for courland or not low snap gathered and punted a short punt that rolls out of bound shy of Midfield so North Central gets the Stop and they have starting field position at

The plus 47 after just a 24 foury punt that North Central defense responded there talked about how important it would have been for courland to be able to extend that lead at defense gets it done and gives her offensive opportunity to start this drive and plus territory North Central went 13 games in

A row to start the season without trailing they trailed last week in the semifinals very momentarily but Brad Spencer’s team scored a touchdown to take the lead back and win the game now they’re down 107 says Charles Coleman bouncing off tacklers that’s a strong run down to the 41 for five

Yards I do not know look like I mean there were several courland Defenders made contact look like they had a chance they WRA up but they didn’t wrap up big number 21 Coleman kept those legs moving are you going to take your shirt off in

The Booth like those guys no not yet not yet not yet it’s got to be colder for you maybe fourth Quarter second down Coleman once again straight up the gut he’s got a first down down to the 30 give him 13 yards and a first down doing a nice job of just following his blocks tonight that interior o Line’s done a great job see number 58 Right Guard

Pulling Coleman up to 90 yards rushing that’s the third string running back why not go to him one more time yards after contact let’s check in with Ashley hey guys I’m over here on the Portland sideline where Zach boy came off he was getting some work done by a

Trainer he only sat down for just a a second quickly hopped up started jogging on the sideline uh right now he’s looking at his right ankle and and talking things over but to me uh he seems like he’s in good spirits and and we’ll see what the call is here but

Moving around on the sideline and and looking like he’s going to try and go thank you Ashley if you’re a kland fan you’re hoping for everything that he gets to come back in Allen on the toss first down stretching outside and he’s down inside the 10 seeing the depth of that running back

Room number one Sean Allen say he’s the smoothest of the group get a little pitch to the outside good job blocking down field there by those North Central receivers he got all the way down to the four tiptoed that sideline sets up first and goal now for North Central who has a

Chance to reclaim the [Applause] lead third different running back used this drive for North Central as sako’s in the back field [Applause] Now Sako touchdown North Central Cardinals retake the [Applause] lead that offensive line acted like a huge Wave Wash him just wash that courland defense away look at that theme that s had to be able to cut and run into big boys up front making it easy for number

24 five plays barely two minutes off the clock all run plays for North Central and Joe Sako with his 20th touchdown of the Season Cardinals bounce right back take the lead with 634 to go in the third Craig it felt like on that Drive North Central got back to who they are

Five plays all on the ground and they retake the lead yeah n we saw the pitch there to Shawn Allen to get inside that line just absolutely pushing The Courtland red dragon defense out towards the sideline and letting Joe saako finish it off with that run in the end zone not even

Touched his 20th touchdown run of the Season his 11th game over a 100 yard yards this year division three national championship game courland has never been here before North Central is trying to make it backto back national titles and the kick went out of bounds so courland gets some really good starting

Field position with a chance to bounce back kick out of bounds kicking team number 27 the ball will be placed at the 35 yd line first down so Zack boy is coming back out there on that third down play he was a little shaken up but we see him come

Back out there in a sigh of relief if you’re a kland fan yeah it’s big to have him back out there running that offense seems kind of shaken it out a little bit key thing is does it affect his Mobility it’s been a big part of this offense tonight he’s ran for 67

He keeps it here now gets rid of it but nobody around taking a look back to that last drive on the third down run this is the play he got injured go watch that right ankle it turned a little bit as he went down Ashley had told us that that’s what

They were looking at on the sideline and kind of see it there as he planted it turned a little bit but he was moving around pretty well right there on that play you said it though ground game has been a big piece of of his day

Today now on second down uncorks it to the sideline he’s got JJ lap big play touchdown 65 yards cland back on top [Applause] ankle may not be 100% but the arms looking pretty fine on that [Applause] throw a 65 yd strike from boys to lap 13 seconds is all it takes courland

To go back in front up 1714 now after the extra point courland tonight they have tested number 31 Ethan gorick and he has been up to the challenge most of the night but here lap just on the outside wins with speed boys outstanding pass drops it right in

On him and lap able to outrun the defender and the Red Dragons respond in a big way see lap just winning with speed there Patrick for the offensive coordinator told us yesterday Zack has so much trust in JJ he’ll throw the ball up there and let his guy go get

It that’s great to see lap had left the game against wartberg a week ago wondering how he would be look looking fast and fine there and now the third time that they’ve trailed two of the three times North Central has trailed in a game all year long have come in this third

Quarter short kick Joey Lombardi from the 13 on the return gives a stiff arm to a Defender and he gets driven out of bounds across the 30 Ashley’s got a little bit more on Zack boy yeah know and Craig as we talked with the coach about Zach boys

And his father Jerry there’s a little bit of a rivalry there because Dad played at their rival School Ithaca back in the 70s but Zach said dad is 100% a Courtland red dragon fan now I asked him well what did dad say about playing this Championship your dad has experience as

A player and as an assistant coach and he said dad told me just to go out there and be myself do what I know how to do and play my style of ball don’t let the highs get too high and the lows get too low that’s awesome Jerry was a

Allamerican at Etha played in two stag Bulls coached in two stag bus as an assistant coach and this one might be his favorite Ever Getting to watch his Sun playing it Sako with a cut up the middle he got the first down got the speed to the

Sideline Sako across the 25 and he’s just tripped up by Luke Winslow a touchdown saving tackle but 49 yds for Sako North Central responding how the way they know how on the ground Sako get to the edge you mention see there good angle by Winslow able to extend and trip

Him up stop him from taking that all the way 314 yards on the ground already for North Central with still six minutes to play in the third quarter and the second time a SOS had a run of 49 yards so Luke Winslow who made the tackle to save the touchdown is the one

Down the sideline for courland that was tremendous effort by wiow and just really kind of selling out to extend and be able to trip up Sako a lot of times too when you’re running that fast and you completely extend you just completely exposing yourself you hit the ground hard good to

See him walking off we told you that Sako run gave him 314 total on the ground fourth time North Central has ran for at least 300 in a game and they still have a quarter and a half and it seems like almost so pedestrian that’s how good they are

Running the football like it’s they’re still in a battle here but they’re still churning out yards on the ground sako’s off the field Shawn Allen comes in to give him a spell it’s Allen with the carry sheds a tackler and he’s down to the 15 for five

Yards what a luxury that’s got to be you’ve got the second best rushing offense in the nation they run for 325 a game and then when you throw it oh yeah we’ve got the gardi trophy winner in Luke Lan what’s interesting too is if you follow North Central you know they

Had the best running back in the nation last year Green Field and he shouldered the load this year it’s more of a group effort and we’re seeing the depth of those running backs here is one of those running backs in Allen again for his second consecutive carry and he gets stacked up

After five yards he’s to the 10 and that’s a first down and Greenfield is on the coaching staff now graduated last year had a great career he’s now the running back’s coach now for North Central has a lot of experience to share with that running back room there you see Ethan Greenfield looking

On year ago he was in this game now he’s probably oh somebody give me some pants right he looks like he could still go out there and run over some people doesn’t he yeah it wasn’t that long ago yeah first and goal sha Allen again this time gets just a couple

Yards but you saw Greenfield there what’s interesting about this North Central program which which is fighting right here to continue to try to build the Dynasty is once you’re in that family you really don’t leave the head coach both coordinators are alumni Ethan Greenfield right away comes back is a part of that

Program you know a lot of people invest in this program and and Don’t Stray very far third time in Four Seasons because there was no 2020 season where the gardi trophy winner has come from North Central Greenfield last year laning this year this is Coleman on the ground has a touchdown already

Today only a yard here to bring up third and [Applause] goal the OC on one side the defensive coordinator on the other can North Central get another touchdown to take the lead or can cland get a stand on goal to go this time they were down here they kept it on the

Ground laning to throw on Third and goal looking Corner The End Zone too tall for [Applause] Hardy fourth down a field goal does tie it but North Central is known to go for it they are extremely aggressive on fourth down laning here pressure right up the middle just

Overthrows Hardy a little bit too much there with the pressure baring down with him coming right up the middle it’s a 24 yd field goal attempt coming for Shawn ryck and a chance to tie the game feels like deja vu in the first quarter they ran rck out for a field

Goal called a timeout put the offense back out on the field after the timeout and I wonder if we might see the same thing here well what happened was they kicked so infrequently that they didn’t have all 11 guys out there and they had to run out the 11th guy and that’s why

They had to call the timeout I actually think that time he was committed to making the kick but he didn’t have his Personnel out there and once again we’re seeing North Central just kind of continue small little ways kind of some of these paper cuts so to speak throughout the game

Yeah Brad Spencer has only had his team kick a field goal two times this year I mean part of that’s because they rarely ever face fourth Downs that’s part of it but the other part of it is they just go for it all the time I don’t see who ran

Out there but whoever he was I’m sure like oh we’re kicking am I Hon this I had no idea I was on the field goal unit well we do know Shawn ryck out there again 24 yd field goal attempt two for two on the season this one to tie the

Game right down the middle 17 all with three6 to go in the third quarter I mean I know they’re aggressive they don’t like the kick but obviously that was the right move there tie it up kick off your week 15 NFL Sunday at 10 a.m. eastern with the countdown crew

On ESPN and the app they’ll have all the early breaking stories injury updates and previews of each game right up to kickoff and then Joe Buck Troy Aman and our Monday night football crew will be in Seattle at Lumen field for a big NFC match up between Jaylen Herz and the

Eagles Gino Smith and the Seahawks it’s an 8 Eastern five Pacific kick on ABC ESPN ESPN dep Portez and pton and Eli are once again on ESPN 2 doesn’t happen all the time but there are division 3 players that end up going to the NFL and currently three guys who

Graduated and played at division three schools Craig are playing in the NFL right now and we’ve talked about number six D’Angelo Hardy for North Central someone who’s been catching Scouts attention yeah the north central wide receiver has had numerous NFL Scouts into practice throughout the season to watch

Him Cole just from inside the 10 got a block out in front of him and that helps him pick up a few extra yards across the 25 to the 27 so there wasn’t a whole lot of offense in the first half Craig but now we’re starting to see the offenses pick

Up in the third quarter yeah Zach boys with a nice throw there receiver getting his feet in then on the ground North Central get it and taking a shot downfield and hitting JJ LA with a big score North Central rarely Trails then they would be able to respond with the

Field goal tie it up Zack boy has thrown for over 200 yards and two touchdowns today 147 of those yards and both touchdowns have come in this third quarter Alano St John cannot turn the corner he got back out to the line of scrimmage for No Gain BJ adami with the

Stop Alondo St John still trying to get him to go little bit best there kind of work between the tackles a tough time tonight trying to turn that corner this North Central defense has done a really good job on him yeah that defensive line has really

Done a nice job they’ve been Stout on the interior doing a nice job kind of setting the edge with their Ends second and 10 for boys to throw lets it rip over the middle it’s incomplete he was looking for lap who thought he got held by BJ Adam over the [Applause] middle right over the middle you see Adam Che number 34 just kind of yeah I mean he shielded him did not

Allow lap to be able to kind of work inside but no penalty and to move on play the next play North Central defense gets away with one can they make it a three and out to get the football back in a tied game late in the third boys to the sideline it’s pulled

In by lap he’s got the first down 10 yards just enough to keep the drive alive it’s a great route by lap he knows where he needs to get he breaks and as he is the football is on its way we’re starting to see that connection heat up here in the second

Half had the 65 yd touchdown catch last drive this one on a big third down play to move the chains faked alono St John kept by boys that ankle looks fine open space on the sideline before he gets up ended by Julian Bell what ankle problem 28 yds first

Down yeah Zach boy so good with his ball hand handling you see the defender run out with the running back doing a good job on the right side getting a body on a body great in the crease and boys getting to the edge he was a multisport athlete in high

School as well and head coach Kurt fatrick said he’s like a point guard running that offense there taking in himself down Court coach SAS he doesn’t like his quarterbacks to only be one sport guys he wants playing two or three Sports thinks it helps him a lot Boys on

Corks at open Target iio on the near sideline Twisted down at the 10 25 yards right after a 28 yd run see adio he’s inside nice route working against Zone settles down and we seeing boys continuing deliver the football good accuracy finding his receivers [Applause] final minute of the third quarter Red

Zone trip again for kland and alfano St John here the crack of the helmets down inside the 10 for only two yards it’s Bobby Medina there on the stop you can when you can hear that hit no you know championship football we’ve seen things a little bit more offensive explosion this second

Half but we’ve also seen a lot of Red Zone drives falter yeah in this third quarter everybody has taken advantage of the Red Zone trips but in the first half the two teams were a combined two for five in the Red Zone kept by boy up the middle sniffed

Out well by that North Central defense a loss of one on the stop by James Hart this game has lived up to everything we could ask for and then some tie game 17 a piece Portland and North Central in the division 3 national title game what

A finish we’ve got in front of us here in Salem all right coach tied at 17 all heading into the final quarter in the championship game what do you need to see from your team to get the job done and walk out us back to back Champs

Tonight got to see the offense finish in the score zone inside the 10 yard line particularly and the defense we got to Quick giving up big plays right there like we just saw I think we can do that uh we’re going to have a great chance

All right coach thanks thank you a calm cool and collected Brad Spencer he act like his team’s been here a time or two before yeah he’s I mean that’s kind of his demeanor all the time we had a chance to talk to the as own he’s almost like a motivational speaker yeah well

His defense trying to get a stand here on third down and long on inside the 10 boys fade Corner The End Zone pulled in idio with the touchdown to put Courtland back and [Applause] front they got oio matched up on the safety you’re going to see inside

Working against number one nice cut to the outside and once again Zack Zack boy puts it right on the [Applause] money the extra point is straight down the middle Zack boy and courland with a 2417 lead in the fourth quarter of the national title game Joe idio or Tommy deito you tell

Me welcome back to the Stag Bowl on ESPN 2417 courland the team that’s never been here before taking on the team that’s won two of the last three national titles and courland getting it done both on the ground and through the air that last Drive yeah Zach boys really

Starting to fire up here in the second half N9 of 11 181 yards three touchdowns including that one number six Joe idio 1456 to play for a national championship the most electrifying offense in the nation north central scores 60 points a game has been held to

17 in the first three quarters but they get the football at the 35 because of the kick out of bounds got of bounds kicking team number 25 the ball will be placed in the 35 yd line first down so for North Central they’ve been able to respond been able to run the

Football the one thing they haven’t been able to do is get number six D’Angelo Hardy or number third uh 13 Joey Lombardi going they tried really hard first half get some plays to Lombardi can they get one of those Playmakers on the edge involved Luke lanan has only

Completed five total passes today he gives it to Sako here who’s crushed by two Defenders and driven backward for just a pickup of a couple in this second half Craig Craig lanan who was named the gardi trophy winner earlier today the top player in all division three football 0 for three

No yards this game is probably gonna come down to his right arm can he deliver or can he not well he he comes with a lot of experience and I think he’s one of these players that said it right at the open he’s best on the move

You got to get him outside the pocket let him create play action Lan and launches downfield to Hardy got him in stride and Hardy tumbles down inside the five how’s that forgetting Hardy going 59 yds in first and goal and he’s been quiet they tried the first half

Different ways there just on the post route it’s a big receiver run so well we talked about laning the struggles there from the pocket delivers a strike right down the field now you imagine they just go right back down to that run game the seven-point deficit is the

Biggest North Central has faced all year long but just four yard away from responding and tying this game back up fake to Sako kept by lanan he uses the legs for the [Applause] score the top player in division three football with a statement Drive watch two def Enders and white laning with an

Outstanding job of putting it in Coleman’s chest and pulling it s number 21 Jaden Martinez come screaming down G Lane in the edge and he’s able to take it in the extra point is there to tie the game up at 24 oh it’s Central getting pushed back trying to defend their title they

Respond and tie it up that is what we’re playing for the 2023 division 3 national championship and it is coming down to the wire 10 total points in the first half Craig for two electric offenses it was all defense in the first half but man of those two

Offenses shown up in the second yeah I mean this is the 50th edition of the Stag balll and this has just been so fitting there were zero points scored in the first 29 minutes so all 10 of those first half points were scored the final minute zero points in the first 29

Minutes 48 points in the last 17 minutes to be tied at 24 in the final 13 and a half to play the return from the 12 Ravid doas is Twisted down near the 35 and out to the 37 Zack Boyce has been so good in this second half he’s thrown for three

Touchdowns he’s ran for nearly a hundred and his team that’s playing in the first national title game in program history has the ball in a tie game against the number one team in the [Applause] nation first play of the drive is a handoff and Alano St John is taken down

After just two nice play there on the Edge by number 32 will Kettle Camp playing off the block Kettle Camp was so low I thought alfano St John fell on his own and I looked down I was like no it’s cuz he was wacked up at the

Ankles by Kettle Camp who was on the ground already one of the top rushers in the nation alono St John ran for over 1,400 yards entering today has just 19 on 11 [Applause] touches boys dumps it off it is alono St John in the pass game he’s got the first

Down near Midfield BJ adami makes the stop but not until nine yards and a first down talked about that point guard mentality boys brings to that offense there’s nothing there goingon to have to go out oh sees his underneath Outlet drops it right off to him or heas going to force

It Boys on a designed run straight up the gut there’s nothing there no [Applause] gain it doesn’t really matter who the ball carrier is it’s just been tough to try to gain yards between the tackles against that North Central defense [Applause] got JJ lap to his right North Central giv safety help to

Outside Boys on a collapsing pocket steps up looking for the sideline reaches the ball out is it enough nine yards right at the marker looks like he’s going to be just shy nothing downfield quickly just takes off go where he needs to kind of get stretch even just a little bit short

Here on his third down and ahead of this third and inches play the spot on the field has been overturned to the 41 yd line first down oh they gave him an extra yard and a half they had that at the 42 and a half and

Now they’re saying it’s the 41 and a first down watch him as he out stretches yeah they gave him a little shy I mean really short Change of at that way he was able to stretch out watch him there he needs to get and then he was inbounds great effort there by Zack

Boys good job there too kind of getting that corrected on the Fielding quickly so first down instead of third and inches here for boys alono St John this time he slipped on his own behind the line of scrimmage for a loss a yard it’s been so tough running

Inside even when they don’t get to you they’re still kind of taking you down see Alo St John try to make that cut and I’ll tell you what it’s been a it’s it’s a beautiful night but the turf has seemed a little slick at times even when guys are falling you see him

Sliding a little bit well final St John not able to get his footing on that Cut boy looking to throw on second down uncorks it to the left side caught by bergus shuts a tackle and Dives down to the 26 16 yards for Burgess one thing I’ve been impressed tonight with boys that I didn’t really expect is the arm strength once again he’s

Delivering this from the far hash right over that North Central Defender with the outstretch hand Zack or see on a roll PR over or right in front of rumel oh was a beautiful [Applause] throw eighth catch for Cole Burgess who’s approaching 100 yards on the day

First down swings it out this is Amari Kendrick the tied end lowering the shoulder and a powerful run after the catch for 10 yards getting that out to Kendrick with nice job blocking as well by JJ lap out on the edge you see number four working that watch you lower that

Shoulder watch he’s going to lower that shoulder push out shoulder to shoulder knocked the safety back number one Williams four catches today for Kendrick who entered the game with only nine total on the season he’s been a big part of the game plan today for kand boys keeps it bounces away from one

And he’s down to the 10 it seems like everything for Zack boys is starting to fall in place he’s been effective with his feet really making some beautiful Throws a second and four for Courtland from the 10 chance to take the lead again about halfway through the fourth quarter of the division three national title game boys looking left the whole way throwing that way for lap but it’s too far he had lap but he also had a lot of

Pressure in his face see lap on the outside he’s going to work inside make the break he’s been kind of getting a better of that matchup here in the second half but there was just too much pressure coming in on Zack boy for him to be able to make the accurate [Applause]

Throw one of the best third down offenses in the country this year cland four for eight today they need four yard yards for a first down 10 yards for the lead number six ID Avio to his left been key in these situations over the middle it’s caught

It’s a first down lunges for the End Zone touchdown idio puts kland back in [Applause] front backto back touch down catches for Joe idio yeah just a quick slant and then the nice move in the extension for the touchdown you see him break back inside extend and he breaks the plane outstanding

Effort fourth courland touchdown down in five drives this second half they’ve got the number one team in the nation and the defending national champions on the ropes in the fourth the NCAA Championship season continues tomorrow with the division 2 football championship between Harding and Colorado School of Mines at one Eastern

Right here on ESPNU for more information go to ncaa.com your official home for all 90 NCAA championships division 2 title might beor tomorrow but we’ve got a heck of a division 3 championship game 816 to go the defending national champs down seven against Courtland who’s making its first

Ever appearance in the national title [Applause] game North Central has responded every time kland has scored Lombardi from the three almost slipped that would have been a disaster and instead he’s upended at the 30 Zack boy the quarterback for courland has been phenomenal today he’s three passing yards away Craig from becoming

The second quarterback in school history to throw for 300 and run for 100 in the same game and oh yeah he’s doing it in the national championship game yeah and he’s really started to heat up in this second half there hitting JJ lap down to field he’s made some beautiful throws

Hitting number six and then once again it hit receiver who’s been so clutch with him ad Avio four touchdown passes today for boys all of them in the second half 297 yards through the air 111 on the ground and trying to lead his team to a national

Championship lanan holds on to it the quarterback’s got a seam in front of him and he lunges down across the 40 he’s got 12 yards and a first down figure here kind of this stage of the game maybe lanon puts a little bit more of it on his shoulders there no

Hesitation taking off and running last Drive lanan had a 59 yard pass to D’angelo Hardy which set up his own six-yard touchdown run that tied the game up courland scores a touchdown to retake the seven-point lead lanan flushing right there is a flag and Lan’s ripped out of [Applause]

Bounds the initial signal as you see there holding against North Central they wanted D’Angelo Hardy there but took that away with double coverage holding offense number 89 that penalty is declined was all over the place second down was Bobby Beamer but it’s declined because of the sack see number 89 to the

Right right there see the hold as he tries to break out grabs number 51 by the shoulder easy call there for the [Applause] ref it’s a second and 15 boys runs straight up the Middle With It or rather lanan runs with it lanan breaks free there goes lanan down the

Sideline 64 yds and an extra point away from tying [Applause] [Applause] it said maybe we’ll see lanan put a little bit more of this on his shoulder than he did right there taking that all the way two big runs on that drive rik’s extra point is right inside the

Upright to tie the game up at 31 716 to play in the national championship game the National Player of the Year delivering late for his team 64 yards for the gardi trophy winner to tie this game up halfway through the fourth in the national title game yeah Luke lennin such a playmaker

On that drive just kind of took it all in his own hands two big runs including that one for the scored two of the best Playmakers in division three going head to-head with l and boys look how calm boys looks he’s ready to get back out on the field and score another

Touchdown a game that was seven to three at halftime 10 total points in 10 second half drives today we’ve seen seven touchdowns Robbie Doss reversing to the left turns the corner gets away from one and he’s ushered out of bounds to the 28 so here comes Zack boy this guy has been

Flawless today 297 through the air 111 on the ground and with 709 to play his team’s got the football in a tie game in the national championship game wow has the dynamic changed it first half it was What offense would break through now in the second half is what defense will

Step up and get the needed stop or create the turnover [Applause] spits it out on a screen caught by ID vo 10 Zack or with an outstanding job out there on the edge and off the block blowing that up number 10 or he was so crucial in their win a week ago in

Warberg had an interception late in the game and made a crucial open field tackle to seal the win for North Central yeah that interception came in the fourth quarter when they were down and then that fourth down tackle you’re talking about sealed the deal in the semi-final win for Or second and eight boys seeing some pressure steps up finds idio again this one for a first down boys has just become the second quarterback in courland history to throw for 300 and run for 100 in the same game yeah bringing pressure he just finds a little

Bit of a seam escapes out and there again we see kind of that point guard mentality gets out there just dishes it off underneath the number six boys doing something that hasn’t been done since 2002 in courland history and how about it coming in the national championship

Game holds on to it slings it over the middle caught by Burgess across Midfield that moves the chains again for the red dragons lot of times you talk about patience with Runners really nice job there by boy with his patience there he’s going to pull it his receivers on

Open he holds a second allows Burg just to clear and puts it right on him it’s just like finding ways to make play he he’s feeling it these two quarterbacks have gone blow for blow in this second half Burgess in motion give it to him quickly on the toss stretches to the

Edge mark him out at the 42 for five yards North Central the defending national champions they’ve won two of the last three years they’ve been here four straight years courland is the new kid on the Block never been here in program history but with under five to go

They’ve got the ball with less than five to go Alano St John there’s just nowhere he’s been bottled up all game no game this offense is just been outstanding in the second half that run game has been the one piece that they haven’t been able to get going but because of Zack

Boy he’s been able to substitute his legs have kind of been to piece of the Run game but it’s just been nowhere for Al Fino St John to go whether it be inside or trying to get to the edge they’ve been able to shut him down but between boys and these

Receivers kin’s moving the football and making plays [Applause] third and five boys batted [Applause] down fourth down coming up the defensive line coming up huge for North Central I knew see Bobby Medina number 93 can’t get to the quarterback get your hands up and the fresh we see him making a nice play

There one thing about Zack boy he does not have great height you can get your hands up Medina does it gets him in a fourth down we were talking during the break we hadn’t seen many fourth Downs after that first half now courland facing one you like the offense staying on this

Spot in the F yeah they told us we’re in plus territory we’re going to be aggressive timeout taken first by courland Kurt Fitz Pat Patrick’s going to give himself a little bit more time to think it over make sure you stay tuned in on ESPN Plus for the postgame Trophy ceremony

Immediately following this game we will not be on ESPNU we transition to ESPN Plus for the trophy ceremony lot to decide before then though Craig yeah whoever is going to hoist it they’re going to earn it and I’ll tell you what you know about Courtland if this has been your identity

All year coach has told us coach Fitzpatrick he goes I’m aggressive the kids feed off it once we get to the other side of the field we feel like we can go for and fourth and if that’s what’s got you to this moment that is what you should stick [Applause]

With looking for their first championship in program history North Central is looking to go back to back it’s in the hands of number 12 now on a fourth and [Applause] five P down sees some pressure escapes to the right Boyce uses the legs has the first down sandwiched in between a

Couple guys down to the 30 big play boys 12 yds keeps the drive alive oh when you that’s your quarterback you can feel pretty good about going for it on fourth down they’re going to get pressure right up the middle he’s able to escape get out to the edge turn up

Field and get some more yards but so poised number seven Lano kzam right up the middle boys able to side step and Escape great big play Zack boy has been a dude today Capone gets the hand off bouncing off of one and a physical run down to the

24 B more that inside Runner sticking with that run [Applause] game you see now Courtland taking their time [Applause] second down keep it on the ground with Capone and he’s out to the 21 just a little bit shy of the marker third and one coming up as we

Approach two minutes to play in the national championship game Kurt Fitzpatrick looking for his first ever Brad Spencer is 29 and0 in two years as the head coach of North Central I’m sure Court’s not that upset that they may need another down to pick up that [Applause]

First fake the handoff throw it out to Burgess has the first down tiptoeing the sideline touchdown Portland Red Dragons take the lead with 141 to go in the title [Applause] game well you want to be a champion takes a team effort number four out there on the edge doing a nice job

Blocking it you see Burgess tight roping his way down the sideline really nice job just staying in bounds we’ve seen Burgess tonight Nifty with the footwork second touchdown catch today for Cole Burgess the senior has put kland up a touchdown with 141 to go in the national title

Game able to take that lead with that big fourth down run by Zack boy Under Pressure look at that number he has accounted for 472 of courtland’s 505 yards tonight his dad had played a stag Bowl I’m sure uh sure hey uh what were your what was your stat line

Like this game was 0 to zero 29 minutes into it we have 69 total points now and over a thousand total yards I was about to say that was a long time and a lot of points ago [Applause] Joey Lombardi from the [Applause] three and he’s down at the 28 that’s where this drive starts for North Central we’re getting about all the points in the third quarter because we’ve had even more here in the fourth the offense is just heating up more yeah Zack boys there outstanding job Luke Lan two

Quarterbacks have just been outstanding he would hit number six again he would punch it in and then Lane doing a lot with his legs there in this fourth quarter they take one to the house on the big run we started this game we said those two quarterbacks two of the best

Playmakers in college football and they have shown it tonight especially in this second half now it’s Lan’s turn how can he respond Zack boy has done his job what will Luke lanan do here the galardi trophy winner has time snaps it over the middle caught by Jack rumel his first Catch of

The Day and he runs out at the 40 for 12 yards and a first down nice job by that offensive line giving Lane in R plenty of time be able to go to check down to one of his fourth option Rumble the most prolific offense all year long in division 3 football North

Central averages 60 points a game they’ve got the national Player of the Year at quarterback what can they do with 90 seconds caught by Hardy over the middle makes a man miss on a juk and there goes D’Angelo Hardy 60 yards an extra point ties it what a

Game it’s like these two quarterbacks sir whatever you can do I can do better lanan staying on the field Brad Spencer held up two fingers North Central saying let’s go for this game right now [Applause] this is awesome play clock is running down here inside 10 down to four play clock at one

And right before the snap a timeout taken by kland cland time out their second of the half 30 seconds D’Angelo Hardy the playmaker the one that the NFL Scouts are looking at they’re going to give him a little space to operate here he finds a soft spot in

That zone lanon says hey you going to give me my big man and some space I’m going to take it he makes one Defender missing it Off to the Races nice throw you’re going to see him make that move back to the outside forcing number 13 Luke Winslow

Have to quickly change direction can’t get it done Luke lanan loves it D’Angelo Hardy does as well down one the two-point conversion unit was on the field right before the timeout tell you what this day of transfer portal Madness D’Angelo Hardy’s a player who could have left he didn’t he came back

Wanted to add another title be a part of this program help it to try to build a dynasty came up big there Hardy’s already won two as a player will that touchdown be the signature play to give him a third National Championship in his career Central not wanting to think about any

Type of overtime lanan running left with the block he won’t get there cland gets the stop it’s the Freshman NS Jean [Applause] Luben game’s not over 122 timeouts left for North Central but it’s cland up because of this stop and they’re going to try to keep it in Lane’s hands they want their playmaker to have the football tries to get out to the edge you got Sako block he gets a nice block

But that courland defense reads it there swarming by the time he gets to the edge he is just in a blizzard of white helmets H Central just really kind of wanted to put it away there it was a gutsy call now courland defense who almost seemed like Save North Central

With that timeout yeah but I’ll tell you what Kurt fi Patrick from deferring to start this game to calling that timeout he has called a masterful game and very close to up in Courtland oh their first Trophy and potentially knocking off the team that is the defending national

Champions that has been here four straight years that’s won two national titles Lining up for an onside kick here bounces into the hands of courland Andrew tarpy recovers it North Central like we said does have two timeouts left with 119 to play they’re starting to feel it on that courland side of the stadium against the number one team in

The nation the most prolific offense in division 3 football a stage they’ve never played on before but they are 119 away from their first national championship [Applause] ever hand off to Capone breaks away from one picks up the first down and wisely slides down inbounds they’ve struggled to run

Tonight but when they needed one they got one there on the ground as you mentioned just a heads up play there by Capone sliding down 30 seconds so North Central calls one of its two timeouts but they only have one remaining in its first down nice job up front they’ve struggled to

Kind of create some running Lanes got one there for Capone and then gets down they going to force North Central to burn a timeout the celebration has begun on that Courtland side Kur Patrick told us when we spoke to him yesterday we need to just drag him into the fourth quarter keep it

Close they’ve done that now on the verge putting this away [Applause] North Central can only stop the clock one more time they will right now with 112 to play but with no timeouts left and only 112 to go it’s just going to take two kneel downs from Courtland Ashley what are you seeing

Down there on the sidelines well Noah it is absolutely electric over here on courland sideline are uh looking at those Power Aid uh jugs over here looking like they’re getting ready to do some celebrating and and giving coach a bath they’re also tossing power a bottles into the stands fans are

Throwing water everywhere there’s hugs uh the early celebrations are going on some of these guys in disbeliefs but complete Smiles standing up on the bleachers fans excited interacting with the players and they can just feel that that this moment is almost theirs Zach boy is saying put a ring on that finger too

They turn down the opportunity to fly down cuz they’re used to busing everywhere that’s going to be a fun bus ride old courland how many hundred miles don’t matter 3,800 miles in the last four weeks is what North Central or rather what courland has traveled and I’m

Telling you the few hundred on the way home is going to be the most fun they’ve ever had [Applause] Zack boy just putting the exclamation point on what has been a record setting season for him the final snap the final kneel down to the season and cland for the first

Time in program history is national champions [Applause] of 2023a football chionship they had never been here before the first trip to the national championship game for courland ends in a title