POCATELLO, Idaho – Behind a 180-yard performance from freshman running back Rudi Johnson and a late touchdown pass, the Butler County Grizzlies battled back to defeat No. 1 Ricks (Idaho) 22-18 in the Real Dairy Bowl in front of an estimated 12,000 spectators at Holt Arena.

The victory capped a perfect 12-0 season for Butler County in addition to winning its second NJCAA national championship. Butler won its first national title back in 1981 with a win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Butler struck first after recovering a Ricks fumble on the Vikings’ opening drive. Just a few plays later, Johnson scored the game’s first touchdown – an 18-yard run to give Butler a 6-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. However, the extra-point attempt was missed.

After a Ricks punt, Butler kicker Adam Stiles would hit a 37-yard field goal to increase the lead to 9-0.

Ricks finally got on the scoreboard with just 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter. 

However, the Grizzlies would put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended when Johnson broke free for a 14-yard score – his second touchdown of the game. After another missed extra-point attempt, Butler held a 15-7 lead over the Vikings.

Butler went into halftime with a 15-10 advantage, as Ricks made a field goal as time expired in the first half. Instead of having the Vikings attempt a 47-yard kick, the Grizzlies were penalized twice for roughing the kicker which made the attempt from 25 yards out.

Ricks would take its first lead of the game midway through the third quarter on a 4-yard run by quarterback Ryan Harris. A two-point conversion by running back Steve Later gave the Vikings an 18-15 lead with 8:00 left in the quarter.

Butler looked to be in trouble when starting quarterback Josh Allen when down with an injury in the third quarter. But he returned a few plays later, although not 100 percent.

With just 5 1/2 minutes left in the contest and the defense focusing on Johnson, Allen let loose a pass for Richardson, who caught the ball over his shoulder and ran into the end zone for a 65-yard score and the eventual game-winning touchdown.

Johnson, who had a key 9-yard run on third-and-8 from the Butler 3 on the game-winning drive, was named the game's MVP. He carried the ball 35 times for 180 yards.