December 21, 2012

‘We’re No. 1!’ Marian University wins national title

Marian University head coach Ted Karras Jr., top center, shakes hands with associate head coach Martin Mathis as the team celebrates and holds up the NAIA national championship trophy after defeating Morningside College 30-27 at Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga., on Dec. 13. (Photo by Brittany Hannah/Rome News-Tribune)

Marian University head coach Ted Karras Jr., top center, shakes hands with associate head coach Martin Mathis as the team celebrates and holds up the NAIA national championship trophy after defeating Morningside College 30-27 at Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga., on Dec. 13. (Photo by Brittany Hannah/Rome News-Tribune)

Criterion staff report

The football team of Marian University in Indianapolis became national champions of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) on Dec. 13 with a dramatic 30-27 overtime win over Morningside College from Iowa.

In describing the comeback victory, Knights head coach Ted Karras Jr. said, “We have guys that don’t quit. We recruit guys that are hungry to play with a never-say-die attitude.”

The Knights displayed that quality after trailing 20-10 in the third quarter of the game at historic Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga.

Marian’s senior kicker Michael Josifovski tied the game with a 35-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime. After the Knights held Morningside scoreless on its possession in overtime, Josifovski kicked a 26-yard field goal to win the championship game.

The winning kick led to a joyous celebration for the players and fans of Marian University, which started playing football in 2007.

The celebration continued on the evening of Dec. 14 when the team returned to Marian’s campus where the players and coaches were greeted by a crowd chanting “MU” while fireworks exploded in the sky.

Starting the football program was part of the vision of the school’s president, Daniel Elsener. He viewed it as a way to increase school spirit and male enrollment at the Franciscan university that celebrated its 75th anniversary earlier this year.

The national football championship is the first NAIA title in the school’s history. The championship reflects the spirit that has guided the program since its beginning, Karras noted.

“We really believe that it’s never over till it’s over, and we fight to the end,” Karras said. “I appreciate that so much.” †

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