Wheeling, W.V. – For the first time in its 10-year history, the Ohio State Club Football team has captured a national championship.
The Buckeyes defeated two-time national champion Oakland University, 36-9, in the 2019 NCFA National Championship Game, finishing the season with a perfect 9-0 record. It is the second undefeated season in program history and the nine wins set a program record.
Ohio State received the opening kickoff and scored on a three-play drive as sophomore quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein found wide receiver Geoff Green II for a 36-yard score to take a 7-0 lead.
Dylan Barron‘s defense then forced an Oakland punt, which was blocked by Green, setting up the Ohio State offense in the red-zone. However, the Buckeye offense stalled and kicker Alex Strohm missed a short field goal, handing the ball back over to the Grizzlies.
After forcing another punt, Ohio State’s next offensive drive stalled. On the punt attempt, the snap went over punter Lorenzo King’s head, setting up the Grizzlies at the Buckeye 20 yard line. Oakland was able to punch the ball into the end zone with the short field as Trent Grabowski plunged in from one yard out, tying the score.
Ohio State responded with a 57-yard scoring drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Gerenstein to junior De’Shawn White. The Buckeyes took a 14-7 lead into the halftime locker room after an Oakland field goal attempt sailed wide left with just more than a minute left in the second quarter.
The second half saw the Buckeye defense force an Oakland punt before a 55-yard pass from Gerenstein to Green set up a short field goal from Strohm, pushing the Ohio State lead to 17-7.
After trading punts, Ohio State’s defense got on the board as safety DaJuan Seward forced an Oakland fumble, which was returned by linebacker Nick Untch 39 yards for a touchdown. Untch also played the entire game at right guard, where he started all nine games in 2019.
Leading 24-7 heading into the fourth quarter, Ohio State’s lead swelled again as Gerenstein connected with senior tight end Adam Bardak for a 23-yard touchdown. The score was Bardak’s first touchdown reception of the season. The extra point however was blocked, resulting in a 30-7 lead.
Ohio State would get the ball back again, but a snap from center on a third down was deflected out of the end zone for an Oakland safety, getting the Grizzlies to within 21 points.
The final score of the day came when the Buckeye defense forced its fourth turnover of the second half as safety Sam Frank scooped up another Oakland fumble and raced 46 yards for a touchdown. He also collected a fourth quarter interception. For his efforts, Frank was named the NCFA National Championship Game’s Most Valuable Player. In addition to the scoop-and-score and interception, he tallied nine tackles.
On the offensive side of the ball, Gerenstein finished 12-of-26 passing for an even 200 yards and three touchdowns. Green finished with three receptions for 106 yards and the game’s opening touchdown while White hauled in five passes for 53 yards and a score.
The Ohio State defense finishes the 2019 season having surrendered just six touchdowns all year, none of which came through the air. The Buckeyes also finished the year with the highest scoring offense in the league, scoring 36.8 points per game.
Oakland finishes the season 8-2 with both losses coming to the Buckeyes.
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