SALEM, Va. – Blake Jackson ran for 119 yards and a touchdown and Mary Hardin-Baylor blanked Wisconsin-Oshkosh after allowing a touchdown on the Titans' opening drive and won its first football national championship, 10-7 in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Friday night.
Jackson carried 28 times for the Crusaders (15-0), and completed 16 of 27 passes for 171 yards with an interception. The Crusaders virtually ignored running back Markeith Miller, who arrived with nearly 1,500 yards rushing but gained just 11 on nine carries.
Dylan Hecker ran 2 yards to give the Titans (13-2) a 7-0 lead after just 6:22, but Oshkosh could never find that rhythm again. The Titans drove to the Crusaders 35 in the final minute, but Matt Cody intercepted Brett Kasper's fourth-and-10 pass from the 35 to clinch the victory.
Kasper finished 20-for-33 for 185 yards with two interceptions. The Titans were held to 30 rushing yards on 29 attempts.
The Titans were playing in the championship game for the first time. They lost in their only previous appearance in 2004.
Associated Press