Omon’s 4 TDs lead NW Missouri State past Grand Valley State

 

MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) -Xavier Omon ran for 292 yards and scored four touchdowns to help Northwest Missouri State beat two-time defending national champion Grand Valley State 34-16 in an NCAA Division II semifinal Saturday night.
Omon’s MIAA record-setting 98-yard run in the fourth quarter locked up Northwest’s third straight berth in the national title game.
“When I saw No. 2 going 98 yards to the house I knew we were in good shape, right then,” Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said. “I’m glad No. 2 plays for us and nobody else.”
Joel Osborn threw for 238 yards on 20-of-25 passing and Northwest Missouri State (12-1) had 528 total yards to end Grand Valley State’s Division II record 40-game winning streak. The Bearcats move on to the national championship game against Valdosta State next Saturday in Florence, Ala.
Osborn said he saw the hole open up momentarily and watched as Omon put a move on the only defender who had a chance before it became a sprint to the end zone.
“I have the best view in the stadium from back there,” Osborn said. “I can see what he does to people, and it was pretty ridiculous.”
Omon set the MIAA career rushing record with a 44-yard rush in the fourth quarter, moments after uncorking the 98-yard scamper. He has 7,010 rushing yards, including a Division II-leading 2,274 yards this season. Omon scored on runs of 33, 8 and 98 yards, and hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Osborn.
Brad Iciek threw for 273 yards and a touchdown on 23 of 42 passing for Grand Valley State (12-1), which allowed 17 points in the fourth quarter – more than it had allowed in nine games this season.
The Lakers pulled within one late in the third quarter on Justin Trumble’s third field goal, but Northwest Missouri State kicker Tommy Frevert hit one from 22 yards early in the fourth quarter and Omon scored on an 11-yard pass from Osborn 2 1/2 minutes later to put the Bearcats up 27-16.
Omon sealed it five plays later, breaking off a 98-yard touchdown run to give Northwest Missouri State a 34-16 lead with just over 9 minutes left.
The two teams had met in the previous two national championship games, with Grand Valley State winning both by a combined seven points
The Lakers scored first in this one, driving 83 yards in 14 plays for a 27-yard field goal by Trumble.
Northwest Missouri State answered early in the second quarter, when Omon scampered 33 yards for a touchdown.
Trumble added another field goal, this time from 32 yards, then Iciek put the Lakers up 13-7 just before halftime with a 20-yard touchdown pass to James Berezik.
Frevert got Northwest Missouri State within three on a 30-yard field goal, then Omon scored on an 8-yard run, capping a 10-play, 69-yard drive that put the Bearcats up 17-13 late in the third quarter.