Atlanta, Georgia - The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame presented four national championship trophies to the coaches of the national championship teams from NCAA Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA champion, during the Kickoff Luncheon of the American Football Coaches Association Convention.
On hand to receive the trophies were the head coaches that orchestrated fantastic seasons resulting in national championships.
John F. Kennedy Trophy
Division I-AA, Georgia Southern, Coach Paul Johnson
Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Division II, Delta State University, Coach Steve Campbell
Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Division III, Mount Union College, Coach Larry Kehres
Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
NAIA, Georgetown College (KY), Coach Bill Cronin
President of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Bob Casciola said, "It is fitting the presentation of these trophies to the coaches takes place in front of their peers, the very people who know the commitment, dedication, and effort required to win a national championship."
To pay proper tribute to the teams, the College Football Hall of Fame, in South Bend, Indiana, will display their championship accomplishments for the entire year, and they will forever be recognized as national champions.
NCAA Division I-AA - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Georgia Southern University - Coach Paul Johnson
Another year, yet another title for Georgia Southern and fourth year head coach Paul Johnson, who with a 13-2 mark this year, raised his overall record to an impressive 50-8.
With a 27-25 victory over top-ranked Montana, Georgia Southern won their second consecutive title and became the first team to win six I-AA Titles.
Georgia Southern had a 20-3 halftime lead only to see it disappear as Montana worked their way back into the game to take a 23-20 lead. In a driving rain, the Eagles came back behind the running of Adrien Peterson, who rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yarder for the clinching touchdown with 11 minutes to play.
The defense then held off Montana, intercepting a pass and deflecting a fourth-and sixth pass with one minute remaining.
Congratulations to Coach Paul Johnson and Georgia Southern University on another fantastic run to a national championship and the John F. Kennedy Trophy.
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Delta State University (Mississippi)- Coach Steve Campbell
Delta State did what it had been doing all year long, overshadowing the odds to win their first national championship and the Asa S. Bushnell Trophy.
Posting a season record of 14-1, the Statesman overcame their first postseason deficit where they trailed an opponent and established four new NCAA records in the process of defeating Bloomsburg 63-34 in the title game.
With Josh Bright running the triple option to perfection, Delta State scored touchdowns on their first eight possessions and set NCAA records with 63 points scored, 524 rushing yards, 649 total offense yards, and 36 first downs.
In only his second, year at Delta State, Coach Campbell improved his record to 20-5, and set the standard for future Delta State football teams.
Congratulations to Coach Campbell and Delta State University on their national championship and the Asa S. Bushnell Trophy.
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union College - Coach Larry Kehres
It took a 20-yard field goal with one second left to lift powerhouse Mount Union College to a 10-7 victory over St. John's of Minnesota, for the Division III national championship and the Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy.
Held below 17 points for the first time in 88 games and 39 points below its game average, Mount Union survived a hard-fought defensive struggle to claim their fifth national championship and fourth in the last five years.
The victory gave the Purple Raiders a 14-0 season and was their 68th in 69 games, giving Coach Kehres a 28-6 record in the playoffs during his 15 years as coach.
Normally overshadowed by the offense, Coach Larry Kehres, said that this time "the defense won the game."
Congratulations to Mount Union College on their championship and the Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy.
Coach Kehres is the winningest active Division III Coach, with a 164-17 record.
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Georgetown College (Kentucky) - Coach Bill Cronin
For the second straight year, Georgetown College and Northwestern Oklahoma State met in the NAIA championship game. This year Georgetown redeemed last year's loss, winning decisively 20-0, and capping off an undefeated 14-0 season.
Two-time reigning NAIA Player of the Year, quarterback Eddie Eviston, hooked up with wide receiver Cody Brown for touchdown passes of 61, 82 and 75 yards to snap Northwestern Oklahoma State's 31-game winning streak. Which was the longest current streak in college football.
The Tigers' defense held the Ranger's offense, which averaged 449 yards per game, to only 143 yards on the afternoon.
Coach Bill Cronin said of his team, "It shows the heart of this club. It's kids wanting to get the job done." And that they did!
The National Championship improved Coach Cronin's record to 42-8 in four years. It was the second championship in Georgetown's history, with the first coming in 1991.
Congratulations to Coach Bill Cronin and Georgetown College on their undefeated season, a national championship and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy.
