The NCAA News - News and Features

December 22, 1997

Northern Colorado wins back-to-back II championships

Defending champion Northern Colorado scored early and often as it thrashed New Haven, 51-0, to win its second consecutive Division II Football Championship December 13 in Florence, Alabama.

The Bears, who won the tough North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference but played all of their playoff games on the road after being seeded third in the Midwest region, became the fourth team to win back-to-back Division II championships.

"I am really proud of what this team accomplished," said Northern Colorado coach Joe Glenn, who was voted coach of the year in 1996 by the American Football Coaches Association after leading the Bears from a No. 4 seeding to their first title.

"Back-to-back championships is hard to do. We can go down in history with Southwest Texas State, North Dakota State and North Alabama.

"Everything we touched seemed to turn to gold today. Every play we called was perfect and every play was run to perfection. Offense and defense poured it on in the first half and the special teams added to that. It was a terrific team effort."

The margin of victory was the greatest in the 25-year history of the championship. It also was the first title-game shutout since Mississippi College defeated Jacksonville State, 3-0, in 1989.

Running back Billy Holmes rushed for a title-game record 195 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Bears, who finished the season 13-2. Holmes broke the rushing mark set by Troy State quarterback Mike Turk, who ran for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 win over Portland State in 1987.

"It wasn't easy," Holmes said. "The offensive line did a terrific job. They did all the work and I get the credit for it. The record (for most yards gained in the championship game) feels good. It shows me that all the hard work in the summer and spring paid off."

New Haven coach Tony Sparano was very impressed with the work of Holmes. "He's a great back and he's everything I thought he was. He's a very elusive kid with great speed and power, too."

The Bears scored two touchdowns by the half-way point of the first quarter, then tacked on two touchdowns within the final two minutes of the first half to take a 35-0 lead at intermission.

"I think it was important for us to get that first score," said quarterback Corte McGuffey, who connected with wide receiver Dillon Micus for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 12:36 left in the first quarter. "I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. Our offense has so many weapons that it's hard to stop us. The offensive line did a terrific job keeping the defense off of me."

Northern Colorado rushed for 266 yards and threw for 187 more. The Bears defense harassed New Haven quarterback and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Cazzie Kosciolek all afternoon, sacking him seven times. The Bears also intercepted three passes.

"I really thought we had this game won (the night before the game) when I saw our team band at our pep rally," Glenn said. "Our band, students and fans really helped will this team to the championship."

CHAMPIONSHIP

New Have -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Northern Colo. -- 14 -- 21 -- 2 -- 14 -- 51

First Quarter

Northern Colo. -- Dillon Micus 20 pass from Corte McGuffey (Mike Schauer kick) (12:36)

Northern Colo. -- Billy Holmes 3 run (Schauer kick) (8:37)

Second Quarter

Northern Colo. -- Andy Haase 40 pass from McGuffey (Schauer kick) (13:42)

Northern Colo. -- Holmes 7 run (kick failed) (1:52)

Northern Colo. -- Brian Lusk 7 pass from Dean Grable (Grable pass from McGuffey) (:01)

Third Quarter

Northern Colo. -- Safety, Cazzie Kosciolek tackled in end zone (2:43)

Fourth Quarter

Northern Colo. -- Holmes 11 run (Schauer kick) (14:15)

Northern Colo. -- Grable 8 run (Schauer kick) (1:22)

-- New Have -- Northern Colo.

First Downs -- 14 -- 19

Rushing Yardage -- 22 -- 266

Passing Yardage -- 182 -- 187

Return Yardage -- 99 -- 66

Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) -- 20-39-3 -- 11-17-0

Punts (No.-Avg.) -- 5-35.6 -- 7-37.0

Fumbles (No.-Lost) -- 2-2 -- 3-0

Penalties (No.-Yards) -- 4-27 -- 11-90

Attendance: 3,352