SP graduate in title game

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The No. 7 Marian University football team worked its way to the 59th Annual NAIA Football National Championship, but could not overcome four first-half turnovers and 38 first-half points in a 55-31 defeat to No. 8 Southern Oregon University on Larry Kelly Field at Daytona Municipal Stadium on Friday night.

Playing for Marian was South Putnam graduate Rob Gibson. Gibson was named offensive player of the year while playing football for the Eagles and player of the year in baseball.

Junior wide receiver Anthony Jones Jr. set single-game school records for receptions with 17 and receiving yards with 234, while junior quarterback Hayden Northern threw for a career-high and single-game record 495 yards and four touchdowns to lead MU. However, Northern threw six interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, in the defeat.

Sophomore Krishawn Hogan notched his fifth 100-yard receiving game after he caught six balls for 132 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Tevin Lake was held in check with just 59 yards on 17 carries forcing the Knights to take to the air as Northern was forced to throw 54 times.

The Knights are the runner-up for the first time in program history in their second all-time appearance in the NAIA championship game. MU is 10-3 all-time in the NAIA Football Championship Series and have made four appearance in the 16-team playoff in eight seasons of competition.