LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Iowa Western Reivers (12-1) dominated East Mississippi Lions (10-3) Wednesday en route to winning their second consecutive NJCAA Division I Football National Title and a third overall in program history.
The game was aired on ESPNU Wednesday night, where the Reivers faced off against the Lions for the first time since losing 34-17 to them in the 2014 National Championship game. In the first half the Reivers left no doubt who would walk out of the stadium as champions after outscoring the Lions 27-7 before adding another 34 points in the second half to finish the game 61-14, dominating the game from start to finish.
Both the Reivers offense and defense showed out against an East Mississippi team that seemed ill-equipped to handle the defending National Champions despite knocking off No. 1 Hutchinson in the semifinals – the only team that had beaten the Reivers this season.
The Lions walked into the game boasting the No. 1 scoring offense in the country but were stifled by a Reivers defense that led the nation in sacks and were top five defensively in points allowed and yards allowed. Ultimately the Reivers walked away with four sacks, a forced fumble and held the Lions to 14 points, seven of which came from a kickoff return.
Jaylen Pettus led the defense with two sacks while Capri Wilson and Joe Hjelle each had one. Pettus also had three tackles and two TFLs and was a standout player on the Reivers defense throughout the night -- also blocking a punt. Hjelle forced the only turnover of the night with a forced fumble in the fourth quarter.
The Reivers offense gained 553 yards with 335 of these yards being on the ground. Jonathan Humpal led the Reivers running backs with 16 rushes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Trevor Burnett also had a touchdown and 66 yards on three carries.
Leading the receiving room was LJ Fitzpatrick with six receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Fitzpatrick also had a 46-yard kickoff return in the first half. Latrell Bonner had 65 yards and a touchdown while tailback Bryant Williams had 42 yards and two receiving touchdowns to go along with his 27 rushing yards.
Reiver quarterback Hunter Watson won the game's MVP award with five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing), 204 passing yards and an additional 108 rushing yards. Watson also boasted a 65% completion percentage after completing 17 of 26 passes.
For East Mississippi, Ty Keyes threw for 261 yards and a touchdown on 24 of 45 passing. They were held in check on the ground only racking up 56 yards on 30 attempts.
Cam Wright and Raymond Blackmon were the Lions leading receivers with 77 and 76 yards, respectively.
EMCC only managed one offensive touchdown on the day, as one of their two TDs came on their first score of the game -- a 91-yard kickoff return by Jaylon York to put them ahead 7-6.
Iowa Western has now won three national titles --- 2012, 2022, and 2023. The Reivers have reached the NJCAA National Championship Game every year since the start of the NJCAA Playoff system back in fall of 2021.