GREELEY — Tony Washington hauled in a tipped ball in the end zone on a desperation pass by Jason Smith as time expired to give Sacramento State a 20-17 victory Saturday over Northern Colorado.
The winning play capped a flurry of scoring in the final minute.
With 44 seconds to go, Northern Colorado (1-9, 1-6 Big Sky) took a 17-14 lead after Dominic Breazeale connected with Cory Fauver on a 24-yard touchdown pass.
Sacramento State (2-8, 2-5) returned the kickoff to its 30-yard line, and Smith ran for 24 yards to get into UNC territory. A push to get into field-goal range faltered at UNC’s 44-yard line.
With three seconds left, Smith lofted a Hail Mary to the end zone that teammate Ryan Coogler tipped before Washington caught it for the score.
Bryan Hilliard rushed for 168 yards and a score, and Travon Jones added 130 rushing yards to become the first pair of Sacramento State running backs to rush for 100 yards in the same game since 1993.
Chadron St. 58, Adams St. 0 CHADRON, NEB. — Danny Woodhead helped Chadron State put a cap on the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher added 129 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ shutout of Adams State.
Woodhead’s total came on just 12 carries. Chadron State (11-0, 8-0) became the first team to win consecutive RMAC titles with two straight undefeated seasons.
Chadron State, ranked No. 2 in Division II, will open the national playoffs in two weeks. Adams State (2-9, 2-6) was led by Oscar Murray’s 57 yards rushing.
Colorado Mines 21, Western St. 7 GOLDEN — Colorado Mines (7-4, 6-2) used four Aaron Abel field goals, a Ben Tiller 47-yard interception return for a touchdown and a first-quarter safety in downing Western State (1-10, 0-8) at Brooks Field.
Weber St. 48, Fort Lewis 3 OGDEN, UTAH — Cameron Higgins threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns as the Big Sky Conference’s Weber State routed Division II Fort Lewis (1-9, 1-7 RMAC). Trevyn Smith ran for 186 yards and a TD for Weber State (5-5, 4-3). Fort Lewis finished with 11 offensive yards on 53 plays.
Centre (Ky.) College 45, Colorado College 31 DANVILLE, KY. — Centre (6-4, 4-3) turned five Colorado College (4-6, 1-6) turnovers into 17 points and returned a kickoff for a TD in defeating the Tigers in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference finale for both teams.
