USF Football 24 vs Reinhardt 13 | National Championship Highlights

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Back-to-back. 14-0. 23 consecutive wins. 19-1 when ranked No. 1. And most importantly – 2017 NAIA Football Championship Series champs. Just a few of the accomplishments for the University of Saint Francis after a 24-13 win over second-ranked Reinhardt University on Saturday night at Municipal Stadium. More than 4,400 gathered from northern Indiana as well as USF graduates and former players to watch history made to conclude the Cougars 20th season with an undefeated champion. USF shot out to a 24-0 lead and the Cougars defense did the rest to pin down USF Head Coach Kevin Donley's first undefeated season in his 39-year Hall of Fame collegiate coaching career. Justin Green raced for a game-high 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead top-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.) to a second-straight national title with a 24-13 victory over No. 2 Reinhardt (Ga.) Saturday in the 2017 NAIA Football National Championship at Municipal Stadium. The Cougars (14-0) are the first team since former member Sioux Falls (S.D.) (2008, 2009) to win back-to-back titles and extend their FCS winning streak to eight-straight. The win is also Saint Francis' 23rd-straight in all competitions. Saint Francis scored 17 of their 24 points in the first quarter, which proved to be the difference in the game. The quarter was highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown run by Green – his longest play from scrimmage this season. Green – the 2017 national championship Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game cemented himself as one of the best running backs in NAIA Football Championship Series History. With his 144-yard effort, the Griffith, Ind., native now owns 2,027 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 career playoff games. Defensive Outstanding Player of the Game honors went to the Cougars' Eric Dunten. The junior linebacker ended the night with 17 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss. Reinhardt (12-1) was appearing in the title game for the first time in program history. The Eagles are in only their fifth season as a varsity program.