This week, Clemson-Alabama got most of the college football attention. Deservedly so.
But folks in Mahomet and at Eastern Illinois were also paying attention to the FCS championship game on Jan. 5. Super-power North Dakota State won another title, beating Eastern Washington 38-24 in Frisco, Texas.
There is a strong local connection with the Eagles, who finished 12-3. Offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder, in his second season, is a former News-Gazette All-Stater for the Bulldogs. The quarterback started his college playing career at Wyoming before finishing with the Panthers.
No. 3 seed Eastern Washington rolled to the final with wins against Nicholls State, UC Davis and Maine.