Gridiron Grizzlies: Oakland captures national club football championship

Oakland University's club football team brought home the National Club Football Association (NCFA) national championship trophy over the weekend, with a 14-12 victory over top-seeded Robert Morris University. The dramatic win capped a perfect season for the Golden Grizzlies, who finished with a 9-0 record and No. 1 overall ranking. Quarterback Justin Mills threw for two touchdowns, including a 60-yard pass to Brandon Tucker that proved to be the game-winning score.

“It was an unbelievable feeling when the clock expired and we were officially the national champions,” said David Brosky, the team’s president. “We've been working so hard for this game since March, and we finally accomplished what we set out to do. We knew it would be another tough game against an extremely talented opponent, but we did our jobs and came out on top.”

Oakland advanced to the national title game after beating previously undefeated and No. 1-ranked RMU in the Great Lakes Conference Championship in late November. Despite losing to Oakland, RMU retained the top ranking, which set up a rematch in the national title game.

Game highlights

After a scoreless first half, Oakland took the lead with a five-yard touchdown catch by tight end Mitch Kuula. A botched extra point left the score 6-0. RMU tied the score on its next drive, which resulted in a touchdown pass and a failed two-point conversion attempt. Both teams punted on their ensuing possessions, but Oakland seized the momentum when Tucker broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown reception. A successful two-point conversion put Oakland ahead 14-6. RMU made the next big play, recovering an Oakland fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Another failed two-point conversion left the score at 14-12 and Oakland's defense held off RMU down the stretch with several key plays, including a highlight-reel interception by linebacker Brian Wille to seal the win.

“At halftime, we knew they were frustrated at the score, because RMU is accustomed to putting a lot of points on the board,” said Nic Bongers, club advisor. “Our team has an uncanny ability to stay the course, especially in close games. We stuck together and made the plays we needed to win.”

Star performers

Mills accounted for 197 yards of total offense for Oakland and Tucker, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, finished with two catches for 92 yards. Running back Malik Pettway tallied 70 yards on 18 carries and Oakland's defense kept RMU in check for most of the game. In its two seasons, OU's football club has compiled a 14-2 record and emerged as the NCFA's top-rated squad. Team leaders attribute this rapid rise to support from the entire campus community.

“A lot of people share in our success,” Bongers said. “We were humbled when OU changed homecoming to fall and recognized the football club as a major part of the festivities. Our families and sponsors in the community have helped us to afford the cost of playing an entire season. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to make our dreams come true. We're hoping that this national championship can bring more awareness to our team and the legitimacy of club sports overall."

Along with other club sports, the Oakland University club football program is run through OU’s Department of Campus Recreation. Find the team on Facebook at facebook.com/OUclubfootball, or visit their website at oufootballclub.wix.com/footballclub.