Cedar Falls, IA – The 2019 NJCAA football season concluded on the foot of Iowa Central kicker Colin Swygman.
A back-and-forth affair that included a dramatic finish to regulation came to a close when the freshman placekicker knocked through a 35-yard field goal to seal the overtime victory and the Graphic Edge Bowl Feature Game trophy for the Tritons.
It was Iowa Central first on the board. Quarterback Demarcus (DJ) Irons found Tanarious Achan ahead of the last defender for a 34-yard touchdown reception and the early 7-0 Iowa Central lead just over three minutes into the game. Anton Reed evened up the score on the final play of the first-quarter but punching through with an eight-yard carry. The Tritons would answer three minutes into the second with another 34-yard touchdown pass from Irons, this time connecting with Terrell Carey to go into the half up 14-7.
The Lions tied it up again midway through the third when Jaelin Hood capped off a drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown. Aaje Grayson would also get in at the start of the fourth quarter as Nassau took its first lead of the game at 21-14. That lead would be shortly held as DJ Irons found Terrell Carey for the 75-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession.
Nassau threatened again, but the Iowa Central defense held deep in Triton territory. Irons led the next drive down the field, capping it off with a five-yard keeper to take what looked like could be the game-winning play with just 1:48 left to play. The Lions would march down the field setting up a last-chance play from 10 yards out. Nathaniel Serrette found Chris Collier for short pass on the edge for the game-tying touchdown as time expired.
Iowa Central held on four plays to open the first overtime drive. The Tritons collected seven yards from three short carries to set up what would be the final play of the entire NJCAA football season. Colin Swygman nailed the 35-yard field goal to collect the Graphic Edge Bowl Feature Game victory for the Tritons.
- Iowa Central moves to 17-11-1 in bowl games all-time. It's the first The Graphic Edge Bowl Feature Game victory for the Tritons since 2014.
- The general of the Tritons offense, DJ Irons took home MVP honors after passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns and rushing in another.
- Defensive back Stanley Cross collected Defensive MVP honors for Iowa Central after recording 4.5 tackles and an interception.
- There have been four overtimes in the 78-game history of the Graphic Edge Bowl. Iowa Central has been a part of three of them: defeating No. 9 Grand Rapids in 2002, No. 7 Rochester 23-20 in 2013, and No. 19 Nassau on Sunday.
- Nassau finishes its season with a 7-4 record, including a 2-1 mark in overtime games this season.
