European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 21, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday december 21, 1992 sports the stars and stripes b Page 21marshall trips Youngstown St. In Mcaa div i a title contest by Matt Harvey Huntington . A Willy Merrick a first a and Only a College Field goal could not have been bigger. Merrick a 22-Yard kick with 7 seconds left on saturday gave Marshall a 31-28 win Over Youngstown state in the Mcaa division i a championship negating a furious rally by the penguins. Merrick recruited on a soccer scholarship normally watches his Sophomore brother David handle the place kicking duties. But David Merrick was suspended for the championship game because he missed practice on thursday. A i was very nervous out there a Merrick said. A when it came Down to about 3 minutes left and we were on that last drive. My Roommate kicker David Stalnaker came Over and said a Willy you know this is going to come Down to a  a i said a really a i was nervous and i just tried to Block the nervousness out a Merrick said. A then i went out on the Field people were saying a Willy Willy you be got to do  a i said wow this is it a a Merrick said. A i m so Happy to be a part of this. Its a dream come  prior to Merrick a heroics which gave Marshall its first National title it looked like Youngstown state would break Marshall a heart again. The penguins 11-3-1 wiped out an 11-Point deficit in route to beating the thundering Herd 25-17 in the 1991 title game. They came within a foot a namely Merrick so of coming Back to win again. A we had to shake off the thought a Here we go again a a Marshall coach Jim Don Nan said. Marshall 12-3 was celebrating Midway through the third Quarter. The score was 28-0, and Youngstown state did no to even have 100 Yards of total offence. A we struggled a bit in the first half from my play calling standpoint and on execution a Youngstown state coach Jim Tressel said. A then we got into sync and quarterback Nick Cochran did what he a done All year. Quot we did no to put in any new plays Quot Tressel said. A we perhaps called a few better ones in the second half and executed pretty darn  injuries to linebacker William King and cornerback George Thomas hindered the Herd s defense in the closing moments. So did the passing of Cochran who hit 18 of 31 passes for 256 Yards with All but 20 of that coming in the second half. Marshall quarterback Michael Payton was equally Good completing 25 of 39 passes for 270 Yards Ana two scores. Payton was 7 of 9 for 60 Yards As he moved his team into position for the winning kick. After a scoreless first Quarter Payton the division i a player of the year started making things happen for Marshall. On third-and-8 from his own 22 Early in the second he scrambled to the right before throwing to Tioy Brown on the sideline for a 38-Yard gain to the Youngstown state 40. Six plays later on fourth-and-1 from Youngstown states 6, tight end Mike Bartrum went in motion right caught  a to s Payton s pass at the 2 and easily scored to make it 7-0 Quot half. With 10 33 left Iii the first the Herd added to the Lead before halftime thanks to a botched option pitch Between Cochran and running Back Tori Ca Jones. The Ball popped up after hitting Jones hands dropping straight into the hands of defensive Back Shannon Morrison on the Youngstown state 28. Orlando Hatchett wriggled Over for a touchdown seven plays later to make it 14-0 with 3 30 left in the first half. Paytonn a favorite receiver was Brown who caught 10 passes for 115 Yards. Williams had five catches for 105 Yards for Youngstown state. Hatchett was the games leading rusher with 112 Yards on 15 carries. The crowd of 31,304 at Marshall a stadium was the largest in division i a championship  defeats Linfield to take naia div ii title by Bob Baum Portland Ore. Apr no matter what the level of play a National championship can be overwhelming. That a Why defensive tackle Chris Smith broke Down and cried after he helped Findlay of Ohio overpower previously unbeaten Linfield of Oregon 26-13 on saturday to win the naia division ii title. A we came out Here thursday night and heard Linfield this Linfield that a he said his voice cracking with emotion. A they did no to give Findlay any credit. We were Here too and i think we proved today that we re the no. 1 team in the  Smith was named the outstanding defensive player of the game. His teammate Demya Wimberly was chos the outstanding offensive player after running of Findlay a Balewi Walker Breaks away from Linfield Sty Angevine for a Long gainer in first half of naia ii title game. One score and setting up another with a 45-Yard pass. Wimberly wondered Why his team Wasny to More highly thought of before the game after beating defending Champion Georgetown ky., and no. 1-ranked Westminster pa., in the playoffs. A they forgot about me. They forgot about my offensive line and the backs. We just did no to get the proper respect a he said. A i think we showed everybody what happens when in inlay is  Smith thought Linfield Wasny to prepared for the punishment the bigger stronger oilers could deliver. A from watching them on film they done to play physical football like we do in the Midwest Quot he said. Zalewa Walker Findlay a 262-Pound fullback rushed for 103 Yards and scored on a pair of 1-Yard runs and Smith anchored the defense that shut Down Linfield a usually potent offence. Findlay 12-1 spotted Linfield a 7-0 Lead then went ahead for Good with two touchdowns in the final 3 07 of the first half. Linfield 12-1 had rolled up 117 Points in its three previous playoff games. But after scoring in the first 2xh minutes of the game the wildcats  move the Ball consistently. Findlay a Milan Smith broke three tackles on a 21-Yard touchdown run with 3 07 to play in the second Quarter to tie the score at 7-7. After Linfield failed to move the Ball Wimberly completed his first pass of the game a perfect 45-Yard bomb to Scott Mclaughlin at the Linfield 1-Yard line. Walker scored on the next play to put the oilers ahead four seconds before halftime. A that gave us the Confidence that our team needed a Findlay coach Dick Strahm said. Findlay a Only loss came against no. 1-ranked Westminster a team the oilers came Back to beat in the quarterfinals