The 2016 NCFA Playoffs featured two drastically different ball games.  In Salem, VA Middle GA State had no problem defeating the Mid Atlantic Conference Champions (Coppin State) by a score of 42-6).  However in Erie, PA it was a different story as Oakland and Eastern Connecticut went head to head.  The 2nd half would be played in a sleet storm with winds howling making passing the ball nearly impossible.  Late in the 3rd quarter, Eastern had the ball inside the Oakland 5 with a chance to punch it in for the lead, but a fumbled 4th down snap would not only end the drive but end momentum as Oakland would quickly turn the defensive stop into more points and an eventual 35-18 over an injury riddled Eastern team.

The 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was then set for #1 and undefeated Oakland to square off against #2 Middle Georgia State for the right to hoist the hardware. The game started with a quick score on an and Oakland 67 touch down pass to Raymond Artist.  The Knights would answer with two touchdowns of their own and control the play the remainder of the 1st half.  With just 18 seconds left to go in the half, MGA had the ball on the Oakland 3 and it looked like they were primed to punch it in and take a 21-7 lead to half time.  However, Oakland’s Shakeer Williams would make a leaping one handed interception on the passing play and race down the sideline 100 yards as time expired in the half.  Oakland would complete the 2 pt conversion and head to the locker room with an unexpected lead.  The 2nd half would be all about the Oakland defense who would shut out MGA the remainder of the game, and the right toe of Oakland’s kicker (Chris Polite) would add 3 field goals in the 2nd half to give Oakland a 24-14 win and their 2nd NCFA National Title in the last 3 years.

View the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2016 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Shakeer Williams took home the MVP award at the NCFA National Title game when his 97 yard Pick-6 as time ran out in the first half turned the tables for Oakland and gave them the momentum to win the NCFA Championship.