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Garden City defeats Arizona Western for national title

Dec 03, 2016

BOWL CENTRAL  |  BOX SCORE  |  PHOTOS  |  WATCH REPLAY


YUMA, Ariz. – Scoring the game-winning touchdown with 30 seconds left in Saturday's NJCAA Football Championship Game, No. 1 Garden City (Kan.) defeated No. 2 Arizona Western 25-22 to clinch its first national title.

  • Peyton Huslig led the Broncbusters offense, contributing to 266 of the team's 311 yards of offense – 150 passing and 116 rushing. The quarterback completed 11 of 20 passes including the game-winning, 1-yard touchdown pass to Harley Hazlett. He added two touchdowns rushing as part of a 14-carry day.
  • Garden City running back Tra Minter added a rushing touchdown despite being held to just 26 yards on 20 carries.
  • Ben Phillips led the Broncbusters with 63 yards receiving on two catches.
  • The Garden City defense forced three turnovers, including interceptions by Bryan Blunt and Rashaun Croney. Delshawn Phillips forced an Arizona Western fumble that was recovered by Arlington Hambrigh.
  • Blunt, Phillips and Eddie Williams tied for team-highs in tackles with nine apiece.  
  • Arizona Western running back Trevaughn Rodriguez led all ball carriers with 137 yards rushing on 24 attempts.
  • Garden City ends its 2016 campaign with a perfect 11-0 record. With Central Lakes and Lackawanna suffering losses Saturday, the Broncbusters are the lone ranked NJCAA team to finish the year undefeated.
  • The Broncbusters improve to 9-11-1 all-time in NJCAA bowl games, including a 4-2-1 against Arizona teams.
  • Suffering its first defeat of the season, Arizona Western drops to 11-1 for the year.
  • Falling to 1-3 all-time in the NJCAA Football Championship Game, the Matadors are now 7-9 in NJCAA bowl games and 7-3 in the El Toro Bowl.