CARROLL (MONT.) WINS RECORD FOURTH CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 27-10 VICTORY AGAINST ST. FRANCIS (IND.)

(SAVANNAH, Tenn., Dec. 17) - Carroll College (Mont.) etched its name in the record books with a 27-10 victory against the University of St. Francis (Ind.) in the 50^th Annual NAIA Football National Championship Saturday at Jim Carroll Stadium in Savannah, Tenn.

The top-ranked Fighting Saints, who were ranked No. 1 in every poll this season, became the first team to win four consecutive NAIA football national championships in a rematch of the 2004 title game. Carroll is the first collegiate program to win four national titles in a row since Augustana College (Ill.) accomplished the feat from 1983-86. In addition, the Fighting Saints are now one of just five institutions in NAIA football history with at least four national championships. Carroll, which has now won its last 21 games, finished the year with a perfect 14-0 record.

"We really have not talked about history as a team," said Carroll head coach Mike Van Diest. "We have always looked at things one game at a time. We got better week after week, and I think we saved our best for the playoffs. Our seniors know the toughest competition comes in the playoffs, and they really stepped it up."

Carroll senior quarterback Tyler Emmert capped a storybook career by earning his third straight Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game award. Emmert completed 20-of-36 pass attempts for 278 yards with three touchdowns. The 2005 Rawlings-NAIA Player of the Year wrapped up his four-year with an NAIA-record 13,980 yards of total offense.

"It was tough to walk off the field for the last time today," said Emmert. "I've played football with (defensive back) Matt Thomas and (linebacker) Gary Cooper since the fifth grade. It's hard, but we'll take the win today."

St. Francis took the opening kickoff and drove 68 yards in 17 plays. Freshman kicker Cale Grzych capped the drive with a 30-yard field goal to give the Cougars a 3-0 advantage. It would be the only lead of the afternoon for the Cougars as Emmert helped the Fighting Saints answer on their opening drive. Emmert threw his first touchdown pass of the day, an 18-yarder to senior wide receiver Tyler Peterson. Sophomore Marcus Miller added the point after to give a 7-3 lead.

Miller added a 26-yard field goal late in the second quarter before Emmert tossed a 32-yard scoring strike to junior Bryce Doak on the final play of the first half to extend the Carroll's lead to 17-3. St. Francis rallied to within 17-10 midway through the third quarter on an 18-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Chris Bramell to junior wide receiver Bo Thompson.

However, Emmert threw his final touchdown pass of the day, a 17-yarder to freshman tight end Marshall McEwen, late in the third quarter, and Miller booted a 33-yard field goal with just under five minutes remaining to seal the Fighting Saints' fourth consecutive NAIA title.

Junior Ryan Grosulak led a balanced rushing attack for Carroll with 83 yards on 17 carries. Senior Dustin Michaelis had a team-high six receptions for 83 yards for the Fighting Saints. Thomas, who was named the game's Outstanding Defensive Player, had one tackle and broke up a potential St. Francis touchdown pass late in the second quarter.

St. Francis, which was ranked No. 2 in every NAIA poll this season, ended the year with a 13-1 record. The Cougars were edged by Carroll in the 2004 national championship game, 15-13.

"Carroll played well today," said St. Francis head coach Kevin Donley. "Tyler Emmert showed why he is the national player of the year. He turned a lot of broken plays into big plays."

Scoring Summary  |  Team Statistics  |  Individual Statistics  |  Defensive Statistics