2005 Penn State Lions
PENN STATE OUTLASTS ROCKY MOUNTAIN IN INSTANT-CLASSIC KRFL SUPER BOWL, 41–35. MATTHEW STAFFORD NAMED MVP.
By ESPN KRFL Insider
NEW ORLEANS — Under the bright lights of Caesars Superdome, in a championship game that swung like a pendulum for four quarters, the Penn State Lions cemented their place atop the KRFL universe with a thrilling 41–35 victory over the Rocky Mountain Renegades. It was a heavyweight fight from the opening kick, a showcase of star power, grit, and two offenses that refused to blink. And in the end, it was Penn State’s balance, poise, and a kicker with ice in his veins that delivered the franchise its championship moment.
Stafford’s Masterclass: Efficient, Explosive, Unshakable
Matthew Stafford, the game's MVP, didn’t just manage the game — he commanded it.
The Lions’ veteran quarterback was nearly flawless, completing 19 of 26 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. He spread the ball with surgical precision, hitting seven different receivers and repeatedly punishing Rocky Mountain’s blitz-heavy approach.
His trio of touchdown passes — a 23-yard strike to Calvin Ridley, an 8-yard dart to Zach Ertz, and a perfectly timed 15-yard cross to DJ Moore — came at pivotal moments, each halting Renegade momentum before it could snowball.
Stafford’s passer rating: 147.0, a championship-caliber performance.
Kamara the Workhorse, Ridley the Spark
If Stafford was the conductor, Alvin Kamara was the engine.
The Lions leaned on him early, often, and especially late. Kamara logged 29 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown, grinding out tough yards and repeatedly moving the chains. His 10 first downs were the quiet backbone of Penn State’s 37:28 time-of-possession advantage.
Ridley, meanwhile, delivered the game’s biggest jolt — a 45-yard bomb early in the third quarter that flipped field position and set up a touchdown. He finished with 88 yards on just three catches, including the opening TD of the night.
DJ Moore added 102 yards and a score, giving Penn State a three-headed receiving monster Rocky Mountain never fully solved.
Barkley and Jackson Nearly Steal the Show
Rocky Mountain didn’t go quietly — not even close.
Saquon Barkley was a one-man avalanche, ripping off 178 yards on 19 carries, including a breathtaking 68-yard sprint that set up a third-quarter touchdown. He scored twice and averaged a staggering 9.4 yards per carry.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson was equally electric, throwing for 179 yards and two touchdowns while adding 73 yards and a 35-yard scoring run that pulled the Renegades within 38–35 late in the fourth.
Every time Penn State seemed ready to pull away, Rocky Mountain answered with a haymaker.
The Turning Point: A 16-Play Grind That Broke the Renegades
With the game tied 28–28 early in the fourth quarter, Penn State delivered the drive of the night — a 16-play, 68-yard marathon that drained over seven minutes off the clock and ended in a short field goal to reclaim the lead.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t explosive. It was championship football.
From there, Penn State’s defense — gashed all night by Barkley’s cutbacks and Jackson’s improvisation — finally stiffened. A fourth-down stop at midfield set up Kamara’s 1-yard touchdown plunge, giving the Lions a 38–28 cushion.
Rocky Mountain rallied once more, but Penn State never panicked.
Karty: The Unsung Hero
Jake Karty may never buy a drink in State College again.
The Lions’ kicker was perfect: 4-for-4 on field goals, including bombs from 59 and 51 yards. His final kick, a 51-yarder with 21 seconds left, sealed the championship and punctuated one of the great KRFL Super Bowls in league history.
Stat of the Night: Zero Turnovers
In a game this tight, mistakes usually decide everything.
Not tonight.
Both teams played clean, turnover-free football. No fumbles. No interceptions. Just two elite offenses trading blows until the final whistle.
What This Win Means
For Penn State, this is validation — a complete team, built on balance and discipline, finishing the job on the biggest stage.
For Rocky Mountain, it’s heartbreak, but also a warning to the rest of the league: with Barkley and Jackson playing at this level, the Renegades will be back.
Final Score: Penn State 41, Rocky Mountain 35
A classic. A showcase. A championship worthy of the KRFL stage.
If this is the new standard for the league’s biggest game, fans everywhere should be thrilled — because the KRFL just delivered a Super Bowl that won’t soon be forgotten.
2024 KRFL Champion Salem Steers
The Salem Steers, coached by Jeff Paulson beat the Penn St. Lions coaches by Jim Rice 31-28 as Evan McPhearson hit a 42 yard field goal as time expired. Raheem Moster was the game's MVP rushing for 202 yards on 18 carries and scoring three touchdowns. It is Jeff's 5th league championship.
2023 KRFL Champion Atlanta Alligators
Coached by Valentino Montalbano, his second KRFL Championship
Defeated Vancouver Commodores, coached by Steve Jenkinson, 41-34.
Kurt Cousins and Dameon Pierce were named Co-MVPs. Cousins threw three touchdown passes on an efficient 20 for 29, 220 yard performance and Pierce ran 13 times for 146 yards and a score.
First Quarter
Vancouver opens the scoring six minutes into the game on a 35-yard Eddie Pineiro FG set up by Tony Pollard’s 39-yard run. Vancouver considers going for it on 4th and 3 but settles for the points.
It took all of 2 plays for the Alligators to answer: Pierce, despite being keyed, forces two missed tackles and takes a sweep 63 yards for the score.
Atlanta forces a Vancouver punt, and a big swing in momentum.
Donovan Peoples-Jones take the kick back 75 yards to the Vancouver 7-yard line. Kirk Cousins, who looked like Lamar Jackson at times, runs a bootleg in on the next play and Atlanta leads 14-3 only eight minutes in.
Geno Smith would respond for Vancouver, hitting on 5 straight passes and driving Vancouver to the Atlanta 11 before the offence sputtered. Pollard’s 5-yard run got Vancouver to the 6 but Mark Andrews would drop a critical third down pass in the end zone.
Jenkinson goes conservative again – a call that will be second guessed – and takes the field goal.
The quarter ends Atlanta 14-Vancouver 6
Second Quarter
Atlanta goes 3 and out to start the quarter, putting the ball back in Smith’s hands, and he responds
An 11-yard TD pass to Michael Thomas caps an 8-play, 69 yard drive and pulls Vancouver within a point.
Game on.
Or is it?
Cousins, who had been pretty quiet, has other ideas. He connects with Drake London for 6 yards, Justin Jefferson for 28, Aman St. Brown for 16, and finally Jefferson again for a 21-yard TD, and Atlanta leads again by 8 with 5:40 remaining before half.
The Commodores go 3 and out, giving the ball back to Cousins and fearing the worst. Atlanta can’t cross midfield and give the ball back to Vancouver with 19 seconds to play in the half.
Halftime: Atlanta 21 Vancouver 13
Third quarter
Vancouver gets the ball to start the second and looking to get even.
A 3 and out instead gives the ball back to Valentino who would build on the Atlanta lead.
Matt Gay puts the Alligators up by 11 on a 22 yard FG that ends a time consuming 14-play, 72 yard drive
Then things get a little spicy.
Smith hits Andrews for a 16-yard gain before fists start flying. No ejections but Gators DL Justin Madubuike is assessed a 15-yard personal foul penalty, moving Vancouver across midfield.
An incensed Madubuike is then called for roughing the passer on the next play.
Khalil Herbert runs off tackle for 13 yards before Smith finds Andrews for a 19-yard touchdown.
TJ Hockenson hauls in the two-point attempt and Vancouver is again within 3.
Not for long.
Cousins again goes on a tear, connecting on 5 straight passes, capped by a 20-yard catch and run TD to Jefferson with 2 mins. Left in the quarter.
Third quarter ends Atlanta 31 Vancouver 21
Fourth quarter
A 53-yard Pineiro FG to open the quarter gives Vancouver new life.
Cousins again just as quickly kills it
A series of runs sets up his 11 yard TD strike to St. Brown, putting the Gators up by 14 with under 9 minutes to go
Vancouver musters up another catch-up attempt but two penalties on the drive lead to a 4th and 16, with Vancouver settling for 3 on a 49-yard Pineiro FG with time running out.
Atlanta gets the ball back with 6:05 to go and Vancouver desperate for a stop.
Valentino had other ideas, with Cousins leading a game-killing 11 play drive ended with a 53-yard Matt Gay FG.
Vancouver gets the ball back down 14 and only 1:31 to play.
Smith goes into hurry up and quickly drives Vancouver downfield. He hits Andrews for a 17-yard slant with only one second on the clock.
Pierce fittingly recovers the onside kick and that’s the ball game.
Game notes:
No turnovers or sacks by either team
Vancouver goes 1-9 on third down; Atlanta 5-11
Total offence: 934 yards
21 missed tackles: Vancouver 11, Atlanta 10
Player stats
Cousins 20-29-220-3 TD
Pierce 13-146 1TD
Jefferson 7/103
St. Brown 9/81
G. Smith 23-35-234-3 TD
Pollard 9-112
Herbert 16-88
Andrews 8-109
2022 KRFL Champion Penn State Lions
Coached by Jim Rice, his third KRFL Championship
Defeated Sales Steers, coached by Jeff Paulson, 13-12.
Akeim Hicks was voted player of the game with 6 tackles, 2 sacks and the force fumble that changed everything.
Penn State and Salem would square off for all the marbles in windy Sofi Stadium in what would be the most viewed game in KRFL history as four other coaches watched the game via Zoom. The top 2 defenses wouldn't disappoint if you like defensive games.
Salem would win the toss and defer, so Penn State would receive. They would take the ball to the Salem 48 before facing a 4th and 5. They would elect to kick knowing their D is strong. Salem would then have a quick 3 and out and punt the ball back to the Lions. The next drive Penn State would hold the ball for 6 minutes and Dan Carlson would split the uprights from 53 yards. 3-0 Penn State. Salem’s next drive would stall after a holding call and a sack and then punt it back to the Lions. That’s how the first quarter would end. Hope everyone bet on the under cause that's how this one was looking.
Penn State would have their own 3 and out to start the 2nd and punt the ball back to Salem. The Steers would put together a solid drive with a big 15 yard run by Edwards-Helaire. The drive would stall at the 23 and Nick Folk would smash it thru for a 41 yarder. 3-3. The teams would then exchange punts for the next 4 possessions until Penn State got the ball 1:01 left in the half. They would take the ball down to the 48 and Brady would make his first mistake throwing a pick, intended for Ridley, by Dantzler. Salem would run 3 plays and the half would end tied at 3.
Salem would get the ball in the second half and would put together a nice drive and had an excellent screen call on 3rd and 9 at the Lions 40 when Penn State dialed up a safety blitz. The result was a 28 yard gain down to the 12. The Lions defense would come up big though with back to back 10 yard sacks by Hicks and Simmons. Nick Folk would hammer a 51 yard FG. 6-3 Salem. The Lions would then have a 3 and out and punt again. Salem would start at their own 35 and drive the length of the field again but the Lions D would make another big stop forcing another Nick Folk FG from 38 yards out. Salem 9-3. Penn State would finish off the clock with the ball to get to the 4th quarter and have the wind at their backs.
Penn State would have the ball only 2 plays to start the 4th and punt. Punting was a recurring theme. lol. Salem had all the momentum and would take the ball to the Lion 37 and face an important decision. With the wind in their face they would go for it on 4th and 1. Edwards-Helaire would get the carry and try to leap over the top but be met square on behind the first down marker and Penn State would take over on downs. The momentum shifts. The Lions would move down the field as Brady finally connected on passes of 22 and 21 yards to DJ Moore and Calvin Ridley. But here comes the next show stopper. Brady would attempt and out pattern to Ridley on 3rd and 9 and be picked off again. Salem would be deep in their own field at the 9 and on the first play we would get the play of the game. Stafford would drop back to pass and be blind-sided by Akeim Hicks and the ball is loose. Taylor would jump on the ball at the 5. Dramatics were far from over. Penn State would run Fournette twice and net -3 yards. On third down Brady would dump it off to Fournette down to the 2. 4th and goal with 7:06 left in regulation. Coach Rice had a big decision and elected to go for it. Fournette would take the carry and this time plunge into the end zone for the TD.10-9 Lions.
Salem would get the ball and face a defense that is very tough when having a lead. They wouldn’t blink though and drive the ball down to the 36 and face their own decision on 4th and 2. Coach Paulsen would try the 50/50 FG from 53 yards out into the wind and.......its good!!! Nick Folk hit his 4th of the day.
Penn State would take the kick and a nice 32 yard kick return by Johnson would set up the dramatics with only 1:44 left. Coach Rice knew he had one of the best kickers in the land and would probably have to get it about the 37 or 38. Brady would then go 3 of his next 4 passes down to the Salem 49. Timeout Penn State with 54 seconds left. Fournette would then have the biggest run of his career breaking of a 10 yard off tackle to get the ball to the 39. A couple more yards. The Lions would then go into hurry up and go right back to the off tackle to Fournette and he would gain 3. The Lions would then let the clock wind down to 3 seconds and in enters Dan Carlson. The stadium was absolutely quiet as he would line it up. And there's the snap, the hold and the kick....and its good from 53 yards out and Penn State wins its 3rd Super Bowl in dramatic fashion.
Not much to note on the offensive side of the ball as this was total defense all game. Akeim Hicks was voted player of the game with 6 tackles, 2 sacks and the force fumble that changed everything. This would be the 2nd straight Super Bowl win of Penn State's that a defensive player won MVP.
2021 KRFL Champion Bay City Beavers
Coached by Jerry Banko, his second KRFL Championship
Defeated the Rolling Green Grimps 13-10. Game MVP was Donte Jackson who recorded 12 tackles and one interception, returning it 57 yards.
BAY CITY’s top-3 defense finally made an appearance in the playoffs as they harassed Kirk Cousins sacking him 5 times, adding 4 hurries and intercepting him 3 times
and deflecting 4 passes; while holding Rolling Green to their lowest point total of the season; the only blemish being a 79 yard td strike to Chark....
BAY: Henry again controlled the offense, rushing for 104 yards, Roethlisberger was 17 of 26 for 123 yards; Hopkins caught 5 for 40 yards; the D played well, with Xavier Rhodes moving inside to cover Kelce....
RGG: Cousins passed for 306 yards, but was plagued by the sacks and interceptions; Chark had 4 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, Kelce and Jackson added
6 receptions each....
The game started unceremoniously as RGG went 3-and-out; however on their first possession BAY fumbled on their 1st play and turned it over to RGG.... BAY saved themselves by picking off a pass five plays later and returning it deep into RGG territory; the drive stalled and Rosas hit a 37 yard FG for a 3-0 lead.... RGG took the ensuing kickoff for a 15 play 69 yard drive with Lutz connecting from 32 for a 3-3 tie.... the rest of the half was uneventful with BAY stopping a RGG drive with an interception and BAY missing a FG; leaving us 3-3 at the half....
BAY took the 2nd half kickoff for a 51 yard drive, capped by a Rosas 33 yarder for a 6-3 lead.... RGG’s ensuing 10 play drive ended with a fumble followed by a BAY punt on the
subsequent possession.... then came the only highlight big play as Cousins hit Chark on a 79 yard strike for a 10-6 RGG lead.... with their asses to the wall, BAY did something they had done frequently this season, a 4th quarter go ahead drive, this time marching 75 yards in 16 plays and 8 minutes to take a 13-10 lead with 4:04 left, capped by a 5 yard run by Curtis Samuel, subbing for a fatigued Henry.... a Rosas kick pinned RGG deep at their own 10 with just under 4 minutes left.... RGG moved the ball out past their 40; but Lawrence sacked Cousins for a 4 yard loss, then Pierre-Paul picked Cousins off with 48 seconds left to seal the game....
2020 KRFL Champion SW Florida Storm
Coached by Stacy Suddeth, his second KRFL Championship.
Defeated New York 33-17 in the Championship Game. Game MVP was QB Derek Carr who threw 28 for 43 for 365 yards and three passing touchdowns. SW Florida ended the season undefeated at 19-0, and was only the second team in the 20 year history to finish the season undefeated.
2019 KRFL Champion Penn State Lions
Defeated New York 23-17---Coached by Jim Rice, his second KRFL Championship---MVP Logan Ryan – 14 tackles & 2 sacks.
2018 KRFL Champion Salem Steers
Defeated SW Florida 30-22--Coached by Jeff Paulson (4th KRFL Championship)---MVP Janoris Jackson: Pick-6 late in 4th Qtr.
The 2018 Steers went 15-1 and were led on offense by the dynamic duo at running back - Dion Lewis and Carlos Hyde. The pair ran for over 1600 yards and Hyde led the team in receptions. QB Tyrod Taylor was an efficient game manager, throwing 24 TDs and only 4 INTs. The defense finished 2nd in points allowed, led by a dynamic pass rush with players having over 10 sacks (Aaron Donald, Ezekiel Ansah,Jadeveon Clowney and Terrell Suggs).
2017 KRFL Champion Penn State Lions
Defeated New York 30-14---Coached by Jim Rice---MVP Jordan Howard 28-134-2
2016 KRFL Champion Atlanta Alligators
Defeated Salem 25-24----Coached by Valentino Montalbano---MVP Russell Wilson 35-24-250-0-2
2015 KRFL Champion Las Vegas Ratpack
Defeated Brick 27-9----Coached by Dan Roach---MVP DeMarco Murray 27-117-2
2014 KRFL Champion Salem Steers
Defeated Atlanta 33-16-----Coached by Jeff Paulsen(3rd Title) ---MVP Sam Bradford 17-22-239-2
The 2014 Steers led the league in rushing, running for over 2700 yards and 27 TDs with their three headed attack of Zac Stacy, Chris Ivory and Arian Foster. Salem rotated three QBs - Colin Kaepernick, Sam Bradford and Michael Vick throughout the season. The Salem defense finished 5th in total defense, but was a force against the run. They finished 1st with just 80 yards allowed per game, led by the dynamic duo of Robert Quinn and Gerald McCoy.
2013 KRFL Champion New York Hitman
Coached by Cliff Dolgins (5th KRFL Title)
2012 KRFL Champion SW Florida Storm
Coached by Stacy Suddeth
2011 KRFL Champion Salem Steers
Coached by Jeff Paulsen(2nd KRFL Title)
The undefeated Steers had the greatest defense in KRFL history. The team allowed only 7.1 points per game. Troy Polamalu led the league in INTs with 8 while Jason Babin and Cameron Wake tied for the league lead in sacks with 14. The offense led the league in scoring at over 30 points per game. Michael Vick and Sam Bradford split duties at QB, ranking 1 and 2 in the league in passer rating, and Adrian Peterson had over 1500 yards and a league high 23 TDs. The 19-0 Steers might be the greatest team in league history
2010 KRFL Champion New York Hitman
Coached by Cliff Dolgins (4th KRFL Title)
2009 KRFL Champion New York Hitman
Coached by Cliff Dolgins(3rd KRFL Title)
2008 KRFL Champion New York Hitman
Coached by Cliff Dolgins(2nd KRFL Title)
2007 KRFL Champion Salem Steers
Coached by Jeff Paulsen
The 2007 Steers were led by their defense, allowing just 12.6 points per game. The team finished the years 15-1,led by the trio of Julius Peppers, Julian Peterson and Nnamdi Asomugha. Offensively, the ultra efficient Brock Huard led the team in passing with Fred Taylor racking up 1200 yards on the ground.
2006 KRFL Champion Cleveland Rocks
Coached by Mike Stein
2005 KRFL Champion New York Hitman
Coached by Cliff Dolgins (Undefeated Season)
2004 KRFL Champion Kendall Mean Machine
Coached by David Cohen(3rd KRFL Title)
2003 KRFL Champion Bay City Beavers
Coached by Jerry Banko
2002 KRFL Champion Kendell Mean Machine
Coached by David Cohen(2nd KRFL Title)
2001 KRFL Champion Kendell Mean Machine
Coached by David Cohen