They knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but the Eagles from Coppin State had said it all along. They weren’t going to leave Salem, VA without a trophy. No. 2 Coppin State defeated top-ranked and undefeated Middle Georgia State by a score of 38-13 to take home its second consecutive NCFA National Championship title.

Middle Georgia State got things started with a touchdown from Rico Lyons and the Knights went up 7-0 midway through the first quarter. The Eagles answered with a touchdown of their own and converted for two points to take an 8-7 lead heading into the second quarter. Just a few minutes into the second, Coppin State quarterback Dominique Jackson connected with Jon Matthews on a 25-yard pass for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 14-7. The Knights were down, but had the ball back with plenty of time to spare in the first half. With 8:06 remaining in the first half, a muffed Middle Georgia State snap was recovered by the Eagles in the end zone to push the score to 16-7 before the half was over.

Out of the half, both teams were visibly determined to get the game under their belts. Less than two minutes into the third quarter, it was Coppin State who struck first with an eight-point drive to put the Eagles up 24-7. As time started to wind down, the Knights got the ball back and drove for more than 10 minutes of game-time. The push resulted in a 13-yard run for a touchdown but a missed extra point, cutting Coppin State’s lead to just 24- 13. Those would be the last points that Middle Georgia State scored on the evening while the Eagles continued to find ways into the end zone. With 2:55 left in the third quarter, the Eagles intercepted a Knights’ pass and took it to the house for another six. After completing the two-point conversion, Coppin State led 32-13.

With just 15 minutes left to be played, tempers flared on both sides of the field and the fourth quarter lasted more than 36 minutes real-time. Upwards of 40 personal foul penalties were called and six total players were ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. But in the end it was Coppin State who took home the victory, adding one last touchdown run before the game-clock sounded to win it 38-13 over Middle Georgia State.

Listen to the 2013 NCFA National Championship Bowl HERE.

View the 2013 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2013 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Gavin Hux earned the NCFA Bowl Game MVP award for his stellar game on the ground and more than 45-yards rushing.