Jackson’s actions lift Mary Hardin-Baylor

Associated Press

SALEM, Va.

Blake Jackson knew that, more than usual, Mary Hardin-Baylor’s fortunes were going to be in his control with the NCAA Division III title at stake.

The dual-threat quarterback embraced it, running for 119 yards and a touchdown and leading the Crusaders to a 10-7 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Friday night for their first football national championship.

“I like the pressure. I like the challenge,” the senior said. “Thank you to the coaches for believing in me.”

Jackson carried 28 times for the Crusaders (15-0), and completed 16 of 27 passes for 171 yards with an interception. The Crusaders virtually ignored running back Markeith Miller, who arrived with nearly 1,500 yards rushing, but gained just 11 on nine carries.

“We had trouble running the ball,” coach Pete Fredenburg, who started the Crusaders’ program 19 years ago, said. “Blake took up the slack. We felt like he was going to have to be the catalyst for our offense.”

Jackson’s touchdown came on a 1-yard run with 3:16 left in the second quarter, and was the final score of the game.

“There was a ton of athletes out there tonight on both sides of the ball,” Titans coach Pat Cerroni said. “Great athletes, but No. 7 (Jackson) was exceptional.”

Dylan Hecker ran 2 yards to give the Titans (13-2) a 7-0 lead after just 6:22, but Oshkosh could never find that rhythm again. The Titans drove to the Crusaders 35 in the final minute, but Matt Cody intercepted Brett Kasper’s fourth-and-10 pass from the 35 to clinch the victory.

“Don’t drop it,” Cody said he thought as the clinching play came spiraling toward him.

Kasper finished 20 for 33 for 185 yards with two interceptions. The Titans were held to 30 rushing yards on 29 attempts.

The Titans were playing in the championship game for the first time. Mary Hardin-Baylor lost in its only previous appearance in 2004.