PHOTO ALBUM

SANDY, Utah – The Butler Grizzlies withstood a furious comeback and took advantage of a unique special teams play in double overtime to defeat Snow College 37-30 on Saturday, winning the Top of the Mountains Bowl and claiming back-to-back NJCAA national championships.

Butler lead 20-7 at halftime on the strength of two touchdown runs by Randell Bell and a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown by Laron Scott. In the second half, Snow blocked a punt for a safety, and Butler got a field goal making the score 23-9 going into the fourth quarter.

A Press Taylor fumble, however, gave the Badgers new life in the fourth quarter. On the first play after the turnover, Jon Eastman threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Sam Thomas. A 2-yard run by Mike Meifu with 4:14 left in regulation tied the game. 

Butler had a chance to score late in the contest, but elected not to kick a field goal deep in Snow territory and turned the ball over on downs with a minute to play.

In overtime, Snow scored first on a 24-yard pass from Eastman to Thomas. Butler answered with a 14-yard pass from Press Taylor to Faron Hornes.

In the second overtime, the Butler offense stalled at the 11-yard line, and the Grizzlies lined up for a Logan Ortiz field goal. The kick was partially blocked and squirted into the end zone. A Snow player tried to recover the ball, but could not, allowing Butler’s Demonte Hill to fall on the ball.

The officials conferred before ruling that since a Snow player had touched the ball first, it was again a live ball, and awarded Hill and the Grizzlies the touchdown.

Snow would still have its turn on offense,and on the very first play, Eastman threw a pass that was bobbled by receiver Regan Buck. Butler linebacker Forlando Johnson grabbed the ball out of the air for an interception, ending the game and sending the Grizzlies sprinting to the middle of the field to celebrate the national title.

The championship is Butler's second consecutive, as they also won the title in 2007 by beating Snow 56-27. It is the second time the Grizzlies have won back-to-back championships, as they also won consecutive titles in 1998 and 1999. Butler has now won six national titles, including five in the past 11 years.

Butler was led offensively by Randell Bell, who ran 22 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns and was named the game's offensive MVP. Butler's Zac Clark, who had four tackles and two sacks, was named the defensive MVP.