The Grand View University Vikings (Des Moines) won their second straight NAIA (FCS) National Championship on Saturday with a 22-16 victory over the Keiser University Seahawks (West Palm Beach). The Vikings finished their season an undefeated 14-0 for the second straight year. The loss dropped Keiser to 12-1. Grand View defeated the Seahawks in last year’s championship game 35-7.
A Slow First Half
Both teams struggled early before Keiser finally took the lead on a 27-yard field goal by Dorian Hall, who had his previous attempt from 36 yards blocked. Grand View answered on the ensuing 10-play drive on a 45-yard Cory Wood field goal early in the second quarter. Wood added a 41-yard field goal with three minutes left in the half to make it 6-3.
The Vikings finally broke the touchdown drought just before halftime. On a third and three at their own 20-yard line, Grand View running back Dalten Van Pelt broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run, giving the Vikings a 13-3 halftime lead.
Keiser Mounts a Comeback
The Seahawks got their second half off to a good start, returning the kickoff to their 44-yard line. From there, quarterback Shea Spencer led the team down the field on a 9-play 56-yard drive. Spencer capped it off with a seven-yard touchdown strike to Maurico Porcha on a fourth-and-two play to narrow the GVU lead to three points.
After forcing a Grand View punt, Spencer went to work again. On the first play of the drive, he hit Porcha for a big 46-yard gain. Unfortunately, the drive stalled at the Vikings’ 19-yard line, and Keiser had to settle for a Hall 36-yard field goal to knot the game up at 13 apiece.
An Exciting Finish
The game would stay tied until the 10-minute mark in the fourth quarter. Vikings quarterback Jackson Waring, a two-time NAIA Player of the Year, connected with Corey Phillips on a 40-yard touchdown pass to pull Grand View back in front. Unfortunately, Wood missed the extra point, leaving the score at 19-13…