The game matched the once-beaten and 5th-ranked Knights from Marian University against the undefeated and 3rd-ranked Mustangs from Morningside College.

The teams proved to be evenly matched, and the outcome was not decided until the winning points were scored in the first round of overtime.

With their winning field goal, the Marian Knights prevailed, 30-27 in the first overtime game in NAIA football championship history.

Two teams were bypassed as a result of the automatic berth granted to Bethel, champions of the Mid-South Conference West Division.

He did this as to avoid the sideline going serious, knowing that it is a tough play to execute if the defense does a different scheme than he had thought; in fact most players didn't even realize that they had gone for two because they assumed that they were going to get the easy one point kick.

Scientific or not, the fan's prediction proved to be prophetic as USF prevailed in the contest by a final score of 22-17.

A few plays later, the defense responded with the first interception of the game, and USF took over deep in Baker territory.

In the second quarter, USF tacked on a field goal after the defense forced and recovered a Baker fumble.

Baker took the ensuing kickoff and marched in for their first score of the game, narrowing the USF lead to 9-7.

Not to be outdone, Baker took the following kickoff and marched close enough to kick a field goal with 10 seconds left to bring the halftime score to 16-10 in favor of Saint Francis.

But Baker took the kickoff and marched the length of the field, scoring another touchdown that narrowed the gap to 19-17 in favor of the home team.

Saint Francis played an inspired game; but in the end, the Cougars were no match for the offensive efficiency that was displayed by the Marian Knights.

Saint Francis received the opening kickoff and sustained a drive that resulted in a score and a 7-0 lead.

They kicked the ball to Marian, who lost possession when a downfield bomb was intercepted by the USF defender.

At that point the Cougars were in control, but the momentum eventually shifted and stayed with Marian for the remainder of the game.

An efficient passing game and the ability to maintain control of the ball were two of Marian's biggest assets.

Marian's offense kept the ball for about 11 minutes in the second quarter, producing a field goal and a late touchdown to bring the halftime score to 17-7 in their favor.

But the Cougars’ offense failed to move the chains in 3 plays, and a USF punt sent the ball to Marian's 11-yard line.

A poor punt never made it to the midfield line, giving USF great field position.

Unfortunately, a Cougars defensive player ran into the kicker, and that penalty allowed Marian to retain possession of the football.