THREE-PEAT COMPLETE: DuPage takes third straight NJCAA Division III title

GLEN ELLYN, ILL. - There remains only one champion in the history of NJCAA Division III football after the College of DuPage won its third consecutive NJCAA Division III Football Championship by a 33-29 margin over Rochester Community & Technical College on Saturday. Sophomore Jaden McGill was named the National Championship Game's Most Valuable Player after scoring thee touchdowns, while the tandem of Robert Brazziel and Fabian Baez connected for the game-winning touchdown in the game's final 70 seconds. (Recaps: NJCAA | DuPage)

McGill opened the scoring with a three-year touchdown run to cap a 14-play opening drive. The Chaparrals added a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter before the Yellowjackets tallied their first touchdown to make it 10-7. DuPage and McGill answered with a pair of late touchdowns from McGill, giving the Chaps a 24-7 advantage at halftime.

Rochester took control in the third quarter with two touchdowns to get within 24-21 heading to the fourth quarter, which opened with a safety for COD to push the lead to five. The Yellowjackets took their first lead of the game with 5:08 to play with a four-yard run to make it 29-26. With their backs against the wall, the Chaparrals engineered an eight-play, 29-yard drive that culminated in the 16-yard touchdown from Brazziel to Baez to win the title.

Brazziel finished 14 for 24 with 134 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. McGill led a bevy of DuPage ballcarriers with 54 yards on 15 carries and three scores.

Head coach Matthew Rahn has won three national championships in three years as the coach.