Quarterback Luke Lehnen’s 60-yard touchdown pass to DeAngelo Hardy pulled North Central College within a point of Cortland with 1:20 left in the back-and-forth Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia, on Friday night.

But instead of trying to tie the game, the Cardinals went for a two-point conversion to win their third NCAA Division III national championship in four seasons. Lehnen, the newly announced Gagliardi Trophy winner, was stopped on the run, however.

Cortland then ran out the clock to win 38-37 for its first title.

Lehnen completed 8 of 17 passes for 179 yards and two TDs and also ran for two TDs for the Cardinals (14-1), who were the defending national champions. St. Edward graduate Joe Sacco rushed for 159 yards and a TD on 15 carries, and Hardy, a Lakes graduate, had five catches for 146 yards and a TD.

Zac Boyes threw for 349 yards and 5 TDs for Cortland (14-1).