ATLANTA — The Thomas University flag football was within 40 yards of scoring a possible game-winning touchdown in the final minute to bring home a national title before a game-clinching interception by Ottawa University ended the Night Hawks’ magical run, falling 24-20 to the Braves on Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

In a contest that came down to the final drive, TU (18-2, 9-1 SUN) finished with 288 passing yards and 11 yards rushing. Junior quarterback Shelby Hartley threw 23-of-32 with 233 yards with one interception.

Freshman Kiana Acol went 4-for-5 with 55 passing yards, = throwing for one score. The Crestview, Fla. native also had four receptions, averaging 24 yards per catch.

Saturday marked just the second time this season the Night Hawks allowed 20 points or more in a contest.  The Braves (16-2, 8-0 KCAC) gained 300 yards of offense, as OU’s Madysen Carrera completed 23 of 34 passes with 256 yards and four touchdowns.

Thomas came out firing the first play, as Acol broke free from Ottawa, nearly scoring before Braves’ Abby Brown saved six with a flag pull. TU punched in the first score on the next play with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Acol to Janae Scott.

After OU responded with a Carrera to Jazlyn Camacho touchdown, TU denied the extra point to keep the lead 7-6. Ottawa’s Alyssa Linkous’ 22-yard skinny post route touchdown gave OU its first lead of the day 12-7.

With seconds remaining in the first half, the Night Hawks had another opportunity to strike and take a potential lead into the half before Alyssa Gillespie deflected an Acol pass intended for Gisele Jones to preserve Ottawa’s five-point lead heading to intermission.

Mandolyn Scalisi’s 21-yard reception gave OU its largest lead at 18-7. TU took six plays on the ensuing possession to cut the deficit back down to five points on an Acol 3-yard touchdown run.

It was not long before Thomas reclaimed the lead, as Brittney Delva picked off Carrera en route to a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown that put TU back on top 20-18.

Ottawa controlled the clock in the fourth quarter, holding possession for over eight of the 12 minutes. With 4:56 remaining in the contest, TU appeared to have made a fourth-and-1 stop from the Thomas 21 before Si’Naya Glover was flagged for a controversial pass interference call that gave Ottawa new life and the ball in the Night Hawks’ red zone. The new set of downs led to a fourth Carrera passing touchdown, this time to Bailey Hodgins, that put OU back in front 24-20 with 3:55 remaining.

For the fourth time this season, the Night Hawks were in position to score the game-winning touchdown in the contest’s final moments. Unfortunately for Thomas, the drive, and its national championship hopes, were eradicated by an Abby Brown interception that sealed a 24-20 win and a second, consecutive national title for Ottawa.

Thomas finishes its inaugural season with the most wins in NAIA flag football history. The Green & White additionally finishes 2022 as the NAIA leader in fewest points allowed (150).

 

TU by the Numbers

2:        Players with 90+ receiving yards

10:      First downs

18:      Season wins

20:      Points scored

24:      Flag pulls

299:    Total yards on offense

 

Thomas finishes its inaugural season with the most wins in NAIA flag football history. The Green & White additionally finishes 2022 as the NAIA leader in fewest points allowed (150).

 

For up-to-date information on games and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU women’s flag team by following them via Twitter and/or Instagram at @NightHawksWFlag.