DURHAM, N.C. – Scoring 28 second half points, No. 3 seeded Northwestern won its third NAIA National Championship and first since 1983. The final score 35-25 over No. 12 Keiser (Fla.).
With two of the best offenses in the nation in the title game, the low-scoring first half was seen as a surprise from fans in attendance as both defenses took control.
The Red Raiders (13-1) special teams were a crucial factor in the outcome of the first 30 minutes, with a missed field goal on their opening drive along with a massive punt to pin the Seahawks (10-4) inside the two-yard line.
Keiser marched down the field to score the first touchdown of the day thanks to a one-yard rush by running back Marques Burgess. Northwestern responded 18 seconds later as wide receiver Cade Moser broke free for a 69-yard catch and run to even the score at seven, and the two programs headed to the locker room tied at 7-7.
Quarterback Jalyn Gramstad had a special connection with Moser throughout the game, as the two opened the second half with a 64-yard end around to take the lead.
Gramstad excelled both in the air and on the ground, finishing the day with 247 passing yards and three touchdown passes to go with 128 rushing yards and another score.
His four-touchdown performance earned him Offensive Player of the Game honors, while teammate Noah Van’t Hof earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with two interceptions to go with four tackles.
Red Raider Head Coach Matt McCarty said, “Jalyn is an outstanding leader and a great player. He does things the right way and he makes those around him better.”
Keiser tied the game once again at 14 midway through the third quarter and found themselves with a chance to take control. Moser fumbled the ball inside his own 30-yard line on the next possession for the Red Raiders, allowing the Seahawks to try and score with great field position. The Northwestern defense bent but didn’t break holding Keiser to a field goal. The defensive for the Red Raiders was the difference holding an offense that averaged over 400 yards per game coming into the contest to just 276 yards. From then on it was all Northwestern.
Gramstad would connect with running back Konner McQuillan late in the third quarter for another touchdown pass to retake the lead, and later in the fourth quarter, he would find Blake Anderson to make it a 28-17 game.
The Seahawks refused to go away but struggled after starting quarterback Shea Spencer went down with an injury at the end of the third quarter. Backup QB Bryce Veasley nearly led a comeback the Seahawks finding the end zone himself halfway through the final quarter to make it a one-score game. Northwestern added another score to make the final 35-25.
For McQuillan and Northwestern, the championship comes after a title game loss just two years ago in the spring 2020. The season was shifted to the spring due to the COVID pandemic. The Red Raiders finish this season winning 13 straight games and their lone loss of the season. It was a one point set back to rival Morningside on opening weekend.
McQuillan said, “For me and some of the other guys, we’ve been here before and lost . So to win a championship is something I can hold my head up high about.”
McCarty added, “I’m so proud of our guys, they’ve built such a great team culture. today is a result of all the work they’ve put in.”
