(KFGO/KNFL) The College of DuPage defended its NJCAA Division III football title on Saturday. The Chaparrals forced three fumbles as they edged NDSCS 14-12 in Glen Ellyn, IL on Saturday.
The game featured eight total fumbles, with five of them lost. DuPage struck first late in the first quarter as quarterback Gavin Sukup found Marquel Porter for a 25-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. The Wildcats had a chance to answer, as Manny Garcia recovered a DuPage fumble on the Chaparrals’ 25. Science missed on the opportunity, as Nik Hunchak missed a 35-yard field goal.
The Wildcats used a trick play to score in the 2nd quarter, as after a lateral, Graedyn Buell found Marselio Mendez on a 63-yard touchdown strike to make it 7-6, as the Wildcats had the extra point blocked.
After NDSCS fumbled on its opening drive of the 3rd quarter, the Chaparrals extended the lead. On 3rd-and-goal from the 15, Randy Young scampered in for a touchdown run to make it 14-6 with 11:27 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Wildcats responded early in 4th quarter. On 4th-and-1 from the DuPage 17, Buell scored on a 17-yard run to make it 14-12. Science attempted to tie the game on a two-point try, but Buell had the ball jarred free at the goal line.
NDSCS had one last chance to to win the game with 2:59 left. Buell completed a pass to Brady Borgen, who was stripped of the ball and Dupage’s Jeremy Gelino recovered at the Science 35. The Chaparrals ran out the clock to seal the victory.
NDSCS finishes the season 9-2.
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