IRVING, Texas (Jan. 11, 2016) – In front of more than 1,500 coaches at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Annual Convention, NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush today presented the National Football Foundation’s divisional national championship trophies to the coaches of the 2015 winning teams at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.

“Each year at the AFCA convention, the NFF presents the championship trophies to the coaches who have taken their teams to the pinnacle of success,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “It is fitting that we present the trophies in front of their peers, the very people who know the commitment, dedication and effort that goes into winning a national championship. We are extremely proud to join with AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff, a member of the NFF Board and a College Football Hall of Fame Coach, to continue this tradition of honoring the nation’s most successful coaches each year at the convention.”

NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy – North Dakota State University – Coach Chris Klieman
Led by second-year head coach Chris Klieman, North Dakota State (13-2) became the first team across all NCAA divisions in the modern poll era (since 1936) to win five straight titles. The Bison defeated No. 1 seed Jacksonville State (13-2), 37-10, for their fifth-straight FCS title and 13th national title in school history. In front of a record crowd of 21,836 on Jan. 9 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, senior Carson Wentz returned as North Dakota’s starting quarterback after missing more than two months with an injury, and he finished 16-of-29 passing for 197 yards, as well as adding 79 rushing yards. The Bison, who have amassed an impressive record of 71-5 during their five-year championship run, took a commanding 24-point lead into halftime and never trailed in the game. The Gamecocks, who averaged 529 yards of offense per game and 625 yards per game in the playoffs, were limited to 204 yards by North Dakota State’s defense. Junior linebacker Nick DeLuca racked up nine tackles, an interception and a forced fumble for the Bison.

NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy – Northwest Missouri State University – Coach Adam Dorrel
Coach Adam Dorrel and Northwest Missouri State (15-0) claimed the school’s fifth Division II title Dec. 19, defeating Shepherd (W.Va.) (13-1), 34-7, in Kansas City, Kan. The Bearcats’ top-ranked defense recorded 10 sacks, caused two turnovers and held Shepherd to 97 total yards. Senior defensive back Bryce Enyard extended Northwest Missouri State’s lead to 24-0 just before halftime on a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown. On offense, the Bearcats were led by sophomore running back Jordan Grove, who caught five passes for 104 yards, ran for two touchdowns and completed a 45-yard pass.

NCAA Division III – Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy – University of Mount Union (Ohio) – Coach Vince Kehres
Coach Vince Kehres and Mount Union (15-0) returned to the top of the Division III ranks in 2015, defeating St. Thomas (Minn.) (14-1) 49-35 on Dec. 18 in Salem, Va. Making their 11^th straight appearance in the title game, the Purple Raiders won their 12^th Division III title, dating back to 1993. Mount Union rode stellar performances from quarterback and game MVP Taurice Scott, who threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 78 yards and one touchdown, and running back Logan Nemeth, who rushed for 220 yards on 30 carries and scored two crucial second-half touchdowns that put the game out of reach. Hank Spencer, a 2015 NFF National Scholar-Athlete, made five tackles in the game and fueled a Purple Raider defense that limited the Tommies to 328 total yards and forced two turnovers. 

NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy – Marian University (Ind.) – Coach Mark Henninger
Coach Mark Henninger claimed Marian’s (12-2) second national title in four years with a commanding 31-14 victory against Southern Oregon (11-3) on Dec. 19 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The 2015 title game marked a rematch of the 2014 championship, which was won by Southern Oregon. After a scoreless first quarter, the Knights established a 14-0 lead by halftime on touchdown runs by redshirt freshman running back Maurice Woodard and junior wide receiver Krishawn Hogan. Marian’s defense, which forced six punts and a turnover in the first half, held strong in the second half. After another scoreless quarter, Woodard capped an 8-play, 69-yard drive with his second touchdown of the day. Six minutes later, Hogan made a 55-yard touchdown reception to extend the lead to 28-7. Hogan finished the day with 11 catches for 147 yards, earning Offensive MVP honors. Hogan's 11 receptions gave him 101 catches for the season, which marks the first time in program history a wide receiver has surpassed the 100 reception mark.


About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal and Under Armour. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.