YouTube - Carson-Newman vs. Northwest Missouri State (Dec. 11, 1999) -- 1999 NCAA Division II National Championship Game
Northwest Missouri State will recognize the 20-year anniversary of the 1999 National Championship Bearcat football team at Saturday's Homecoming game.
Trent Spinner recently spoke with some key members of that 1999 national championship game that took place at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.
By Trent Spinner
Athletic Communications/Media Relations Student Assistant
As Travis Miles laid dormant against the turf at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, his breath quickening and the cold crisp air slicing at his lungs, coach Mel Tjeerdsma told him to, "just stay down and catch his breath." In that instant, Miles became surrounded by coaches and medical staff alike. Still, his thoughts were not on the hit he just sustained, but the chance to trounce the impossibilities in front of him.
From the brink of hopelessness to being on the side of success, the 1999 Northwest Missouri State football team knew the sting of defeat. They never gave up trying to challenge that feeling. All of their downfalls and triumphs lined up in an instance as they miraculously tried to comeback in the 1999 NCAA Division II National Championship.
"I said it was one of the best games that I had ever seen," ESPN color commentator Bill Curry said. "I just could not believe the execution by both squads."
Carson-Newman's Dagger
As the clocked showed 4:36, Carson-Newman lined up inside the Bearcat 20 yard-line, looking for that dagger to avenge a 24-6 loss to Northwest in the 1998 national title game.
The Eagles sat in their veer offense, knowing that their opponents were getting tired from the run game. Carson-Newman obligued the Bearcats and continued to pound that rock as they handed the ball off to Melvin Oates, one tackle spun off, two tackles broken and three to take him down for the four-yard gain.
Another chance to pound the ball gave them a three-yard dive play up the middle and pushed them past the 15. The defensive line puffed out their chest, hoping to find that air to keep going. But the quick offense of the Eagles kept the Bearcats on their heels, and the air was thin.
Northwest had to move its line to match the offensive lines splits, but in the process, Carson-Newman snapped the ball. Running back Antwon Oliver took the handoff and ran right at the moving defense line. One tackle scrapped off of him, and three more were on his back as he bullied his way into the end zone from 12 yards out.
Three minutes and thirty-three seconds left, Carson-Newman lead 44-29.
"I know that a lot of folks starting leave early from the game," Tjeerdsma said. "A lot of them were mad that they had to hear about what happened later on."
At this point, Andy Seeley, Northwest's Sports Information Director, was heading downstairs to the field to deal with the media personnel. As he headed down he had thoughts in his head that the game would end the moment the clock struck 0:00.
"I would generally head down to the field with five or six minutes left in the game, so when you get down to the field, you are trying to hold out hope," Seeley said. "There aren't many times where that situation is going to turn out the way it did. I was thinking how hard is it going to be to get guys that are potential heartbroken into the press conference."
The significant impact of those numbers provided no factors in this game, as the final three drives pushed forward.
It's Not Over Til It's Over
Fifty-five seconds. That's all it took for Miles to make his mark in the remaining time. As a mobile quarterback, he raced around the pocket and made plays, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to J.R. Hill that completed the Bearcats 74-yard drive to make the score 44-36.
The Bearcats searched for hope as they attempted that onside kick to give them that one chance. David Purnell focused in on the ball as he placed it up on the side of the tee. Purnell stood still in that moment, staring into the field of his enemies, hoping for one lucky bounce. With one green cleat for running and one white cleat for kicking, he pushed the ball into the hands of the enemies.
Only 2:39 remained, the Eagles had the ball on Northwest's 48 but the Bearcats held onto hope with two timeouts left.
All that was needed was two first downs, and Carson-Newman would become the 1999 National Champions. On second down, the Eagles rushed forward, giving the ball to their primary back in Oliver and got one of the needed first downs.
A quarterback sneak later, the Bearcats were giving up their last hope of stopping the clock. Second down from the 30 and Northwest was out of timeouts with only 1:45 left in the game.
"A fumble is their only hope now," Curry said on the ESPN broadcast.
The second down play moved them up two yards and pushed it to third and six. The final hope for the Bearcats relied on this moment.
"It was more trying to get a turnover, because of the time," linebacker and special teams player
Joe Quinlin said. "Not to say your grasping at straws, but you are trying to make anything to make it work,"
Oates took the ball on the outside with room to run after the pitch. He shucked off one player, before finally being pushed out of bounds. The clock stopped, and shock rose from the Eagles sideline as the game seemed forever paused with :57.
"I was happy they ran out of bounds, they ran the ball to the short side of the field, so there wasn't much room to run," Tjeerdsma said. "Our corner came up looking for the run and made a good hit on him and knocked him out of bounds. That was a big play because that probably added another 30 seconds to the game."
Instead of playing it safe, Newman decided to go for the kill. The team tried to push past the Bearcats for a game-sealing two yards but committed a false start at the 25 yard-line. Fourth and seven didn't stop the Eagles bold strategy as they decided to go for it once again.
Northwest's defense reigned supreme as they gave the offense life, with :51 remaining and 74-yards to the promised land.
One mistake is all it took to promote the impossible and put the offense back onto the field down eight. The moment that unit stepped toward the challenge, they were confident that this was their time to make the history books.
"I was just caught up in moment thinking about the plays I was just going to call," Miles said. "It just kinda happens, we weren't thinking anything at the time. Just wanted to get the ball out of bounds and get down the field as quickly as possible to give us a chance."
History would have to wait, as the first play from scrimmage made Bearcat fans across the nation hold their breath. Miles escaped the pressure by rolling out to the left side, but as he threw the ball away, he was confronted with the sheer power of an Eagles linebacker.
Soon enough, Miles was wincing in pain as the crowd remained dead silent and nervous for what would happen next.
"They wanted to give the backup some time to warm up, so they told me to, 'just lay there for a bit," Miles said. "By the time I got to the sideline, I was trying to get back in as soon as possible."
Luckily for the Bearcats, Miles was up and ready to go, but the rules held him back, as he had to wait one play to return. Northwest got a delay of game on the next play and unsure how the rules worked in that circumstance, Tjeerdsma sent Miles back in.
"If you read the rule real closely, John (McMenamin) should have probably stayed in for another play," Tjeerdsma said. "That play with the penalty shouldn't have really counted as a play. At that point, I wasn't thinking about it, I just sent him back in."
Miles led the Bearcats to a near-perfect drive as he hit wide receiver Seneca Holmes for 18 yards on the first play of the drive. Northwest gained 12 more yards on an out route to Holmes to get to midfield with :23 left on the clock. Two plays later, the Bearcats found the answer they were looking for, as J.R. Hill streaked down the right side of the field and caught a 34-yard touchdown pass to make the tie a two-point conversation away.
"There was just so much courage and grit from both squads," Curry said. "I just didn't want anyone to lose the game."
Without hesitation, they made the call, but it wasn't Tjeerdsma's decision. It was Miles' chance to decide the fate of the Bearcats.
"Before Travis (Miles) ever got the call, he was actually signaling up to the press box the play he wanted," Tjeerdsma said. "That was the play that he felt he had the most confidence in. I remember when we lined up, I thought God, I hope this works."
The Cardiac Cats
The 1999 Northwest football team was known for their tenacity and the ability to never back down. Their focus was to rally, and they showcased that throughout the season.
This was especially shown throughout the postseason as they came back in every matchup leading to the national title game. This included two double-digit deficits against North Dakota in the first round (13) and Northern Colorado in the quarterfinals (11).
One of the most significant factors that played into this identity was the unified aspect of loss. From losing players to injuries to unfortunately losing a life.
"I was just so proud of them for being able to persevere, not just in that game, in all the playoff games," Tjeerdsma said. "We had gone through some things, we had lost our best defensive player on the second day of practice (Aaron Becker). We went through some things, we had lost a red-shirt freshman (Phil Voge), whose brother was a senior defensive lineman (Matt Voge)."
This team had seen something that meant more than any football game, and with that, they were a family. A family that fought for one another until the end.
These principles followed each player, and for Miles and wide receiver Ryan George, it all led up to the pivotal two-point conversation.
"I did a shooting of a basketball after we scored, to get the two-point conversation call, which is called 2 H score," Miles said. "I thought that immediately, and George and I had worked on that quite a bit after practice. We would do that play probably twice a week and try to get in as many reps as possible."
Miles wanted to run the play exactly how they had practiced it after practice. However, when they lined up for the play, George was confident even with the cornerback playing in a less than optimal position.
"The scary part was the defender was back, and with that type of route, I preferred him to be up," George said. "But I didn't expect to drop it because body and mind took over, and it was like practice."
On the other side, Miles was worried about the mix of the defense and felt a sense of nervousness the moment he released the ball.
"The defensive back crept up a bit, and they were bringing both linebackers, so I know they were coming quickly to try and get a hand on me," Miles said. "I honestly thought I overthrew it when I first let go, but George was able to come down with it."
Miles immediately throw the ball off his back foot toward George on the fade route. He put the ball right over the defender's head as George rushed past to the backside of the end zone. With the defender draped over George, he made a miraculous toe-tap to tie the game at 44-all.
Seeley had the best view of the catch as he had been standing behind the end zone that Northwest was throwing into.
"When Ryan George caught the two-point conversation to tie the game, that happened probably 15 or 20 feet in ground of me," Seeley said. "If you watch the ESPN broadcast when it pans over to the Northwest side, you can see me sprint down the sideline. I ended up jumping in the arms of police captain Jim Curtis. I was just looking for the first friendly face to hug."
The acrobatic catch left the Carson-Newman crowd speechless, but that lack of noise was made up for with the cheers of Bearcat fans. There was a mixed reaction of peer joy and amazement, as Northwest solidified a chance to play in overtime.
It was a dogfight from start to finish, and it became evident that both teams wanted this victory more than anything. So all that was left was to head to the 25 yard-line and start taking shots at the scoring.
"It was the sheer fight and determination ... it was the continuation, and it was almost like it wasn't a surprise. Whoever was behind was going to catch the other side and make this thing continue," Curry said. "In the booth, we were just dumbfounded, 'how were these kids playing like this?'"
Tug of War
Madness only ensued as the clock hit 0:00, as Carson-Newman got first dips at the ball in overtime. The Bearcat defense that once was gassed was born into a new light, as they forced a fumble that was recovered by Frank Taylor in the first overtime period.
At that point, it was all up to the offense to claim the gold and label themselves back-to-back national champions. The Bearcats put the ball in the hands of running David Jansen for three straight runs that picked up six yards and left the game in the hands of Purnell for a 36-yard field goal.
Purnell, at this point, was 18-of-25 on field goals in 1999 and had been recognized as one of the best kickers in Division II. Nobody thought this game would go any longer. But Purnell's kick was wide and the teams moved to overtime No. 2.
"Purnell was our leading scorer, he was the most consistent," Quinlin said. "So it's one of those; obviously, you go from a high thinking we are going to win to a low."
The mistake needed to be wiped out of the Bearcat's head as they headed back out on offense for the second edition of the extra time. A holding call on first down pushed the Bearcats to the 34 yard line. Following two incompletions, Miles hooked up with Holmes for a six-yard gain but that left the Bearcats facing a 4
th-and-13 from the 28-yard line.
Purnell's 45-yard field attempt was blocked giving Carson-Newman the ball with a chance to end the contest in the second extra session with a field goal of its own.
Just as the Bearcats had done in the first overtime, the Eagles chose to run the ball three times and gained nine yards. Carson-Newman's Ryan Fleming would have a 33-yard field goal to claim the program's first national title. But the kick could not find its way through the uprights and Northwest and Carson-Newman headed to overtime No. 3 in the game that would simply not end.
"We go to the next overtime, get a field goal blocked, and they go for a field goal on fourth and one," Tjeerdsma said. "The guy missed it, so I don't know, I guess it was meant to be."
A different story played out in the third overtime period, as both teams pushed forward and scored a touchdown. Carson-Newman chewed up the 25 yards in eight plays that was capped by an Oliver one-yard run. Quarterback Leonard Guyton converted a keeper for the two-point conversion to give Carson-Newman a 52-44 lead.
It took Northwest three plays to reach the end zone. Tony Miles scored on an end-around from 15 yards out setting the stage for a two-point conversion to keep the game alive. Travis Miles scrambled around in the pocket and eventually found tight end Steve Comer in the back of the end zone for the two-pointer. All even again at 52-52.
At this point, reality was unavoidable, as both teams thought they were destined to play through the night.
In the fourth overtime, the Bearcats got the ball first and with the help of their offensive line, established a run-first mentality. Jansen ran for eight yards and then four more for a first down. The play-action pass to J.R. Hill on the next play worked to perfection as Hill scored on a 13-yard reception. Hope was diminished when the Bearcats could not get that extra two-point conversation as Carson-Newman sacked Travis Miles keeping the Bearcat lead at 58-52.
On Carson-Newman's possession in the fourth overtime, Oates carried for three yards and two yards that set up a 3
rd-and-5 from the 20-yard line. Guyton just missed ending the game on the next play when he lofted a pass into the end zone for wide receiver Ques Rumph but the ball was underthrown and resulted in an incompletion.
Carson-Newman faced a 4
th-and-5 at the 20-yard line, but amazingly converted on an Oates run up the middle for eight yards.
"Good gracious alive, what a call. That's not what I would have called but I would have been wrong," Curry said during the broadcast.
The Eagles had a fresh set of downs at the 12-yard line. But in a game of twists and turns, the ballgame ended on a fumble by running back Antwon Oliver. Oliver rushed 30 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns, but his last rush resulted in a fumble that was fallen on by Northwest's Ryan Miller to give the Bearcats their back-to-back national crowns.
"I was kind of at the far end of the field, and I think Chad Thompson was standing next to me, and after they signaled, he just bear-hugged me," Miles said. "I didn't see a whole lot, but that ref signaled it pretty fast, and we were not expecting it to end at that moment."
"It was nothing but pure joy," George said. "To be in that moment as that reality started to set in that, that was probably the best college football game ever."
Finally, after a four-hour circus show, the Bearcats reigned supreme amongst all Division II teams. No matter what the outcome of this game, there were no real losers in terms of respect.
"There were no losers that day," Curry said. "One of the teams got more points, but there were two winning teams that day. That's what I seem to remember most."
Aftermath
As the celebration was underway, there were issues to address with coaches and players alike. Seeley focused on his job and went straight toward Tjeerdsma to talk about the play that Miles was held out.
"It was just utter shock, joy, but in my role, I had to immediately think about having to do a press conference and a championship celebration," Seeley said. "I remember shortly after that having a conversation with coach Tjeerdsma and Miles, talking about the play where Miles left the game. Technically when you come out, you are supposed to be out for a play, and there was a penalty, which is not a play. I talked with them about it, if the media were to ask the question."
Soon after that, it was on to the press conference to not only talk about their success but immortalize their story. A game that can be remembered as one of the best of all-time.
While Northwest moved on to the next phase of the celebration, there was an impact made on ESPN color commentary Curry. As a Division I player and coach, he never thought of Division II as a real competitive atmosphere, until that day.
"I guess I had preconceived notions. about Division II, that it would somehow be less than or not as sophisticated as the big schools," Curry said. "I was shocked when it was just the opposite, and that's a tribute to the coaching staff on both sides."
The Bearcats had finished their season and were crowned back-to-back champions. Though the first national championship established a winning culture for Northwest. It was the second one that bred one of the most prestigious programs in Division II.
Two is the number that set the standard for the remaining four that Northwest has garnished over the years. So as the 1999 National Championship team reflects on their 20th anniversary. They can take pride in knowing they helped establish a football dynasty.
"I think that's a big part of that, before that, but more so are that we had always had the ability to come back in games," Tjeerdsma said. "Our kids go into games expecting to win, they may not know how they are going to win or the circumstances. But in their minds, when the game is over, they will have more points than their opponents."
