SNOW FALLS IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO BUTLER IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

SANDY, UTAH – The number one ranked Snow College Badgers fell in double overtime to Butler County 37-30 to lose the NJCAA National Championship.

An emotional game began at Sandy's Rio Tinto Stadium, the home of Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake. The Grizzlies began the scoring by taking an early 7-0 lead after a 2-yard run by Randell Bell. The Badgers, however, were able to respond with a score of their own with a 2-yard run by Tyson Church. The score was knotted up at 7-7 at the end of the 1st quarter.

The second quarter of action belonged the Grizzlies. Butler was able to force two key turnovers starting off with interception return by Laron Scott from 39 yards out. After taking a 13-7 lead, the Grizzlies forced a fumble on Snow's next offensive play which led to another Bell score; this one from one yard away.

The Grizzlies built a 20-7 lead going into the break and had a great of momentum. The second half began with the Badgers defense and special teams inching their way back into the game. A defensive stand by the Badgers led to a blocked punt for a safety making the score 20-9. After Butler held Snow to a a punt on 4th down on their next series, Coach Steve Coburn called for a fake. The Grizzlies were able to stop the Badgers on 4th and 2, but the Badger defense stiffened as Butler approached the end zone limiting them to a field goal from 24 yards away by Jordan Ortiz.

Heading into the 4th quarter, Snow trailed 23-9 and needed a spark to get them back into the game. The Badger defense was able to come up big again forcing a fumble at the Grizzly ten yard line. The ensuing play saw Jon Eastman connect with Sam Thomas for a 10 yard touchdown pass.

Trailing 23-16, the Badgers needed another stop by their defense which they received. After a 30 yard punt return by Regan Buck, the Badgers were in striking distance again. The Badgers were able to tie it up at 23 apiece on a 3rd down reception by Thomas. Thomas was initially ruled in by one official closest to the play only to be overruled by another, thus taking the Badger score off of the board. However, a defensive holding penalty was called on the play giving the Badgers a 1st and Goal situation from the Grizzly two yard line.

The Grizzly defense held the Badgers out of the end zone on their first three downs. Going for it on 4th down saw the Badgers turn to sophomore fullback Mike Meifu. Meifu plunged into the end zone behind the great push of the Badger offensive line from 1 yard out finally tying the score at 23.

With three minutes remaining, the Grizzlies were able to move the ball down the field in their no huddle offense. However, on 4th down at the Badger 20 yard line the Snow defense came up with a huge stop that gave the Badgers one more opportunity in regulation.

With just over a minute remaining, Jon Eastman marched the Badgers down the field. Eastman scrambled and hit Regan Buck for 37 yards that gave the Badgers a 1st down with 16 seconds remaining. Controversy ensued when the chains were not set and the clock began to run forcing the Badgers to use their final timeout with just four seconds to play. With too great a distance to kick a field goal the Badgers ran a hook and ladder play that saw Thomas pitch the ball to Buck before he was finally pulled down at the Grizzly ten as time expired.

As the two team's entered overtime, Snow lost the coin toss which placed their offense on the field. On the second play of the possession, Eastman hit Thomas for their second touchdown connection of the day from 24 yards out. The Badgers led 30-23.

The Grizzly offense took the field trailing for the first time. On 3rd down from the 12 yard line, Press Taylor hooked up with Faron Hornes to tie the game up again at 30.

In the second overtime the most bizarre ending in Badger history developed. The Grizzlies, after being stopped on 3rd down, were kicking on 4th and 3 to take the lead. The Badgers were able to block the Grizzly kick, however, the ball bounced into the end zone where a Badger then touched the ball. The contact made allowed the ball to become live again which was then recovered in the end zone by Demonte Hill. Hill's recovery gave Butler a 37-30 advantage.

The Badger offense took the field again trailing by seven. Eastman, on the offense's first play, saw his pass to Buck go in and out of his hands which fell into the lap of a Butler defender. The interception sealed the game for the Grizzlies and gave them their second consecutive national championship.

"Our players played their hearts out. They did everything they could. No single play won or lost the game for either team. It was the collection of plays throughout the game that gave Butler the advantage. I am so incredibly proud of these men. They represent what is good about football and this world," said Coach Coburn.

The Badgers finished the season 11-1 while winning their third consecutive WSFL conference championship.

"What an outstanding season. It hurts to lose this last one, but these men have done so much for the program, school and community. It will be bittersweet to see these sophomores leave," said Coburn.

Click here for the stats for the game.

Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 3,000 students at its Ephraim campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas.  Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.

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