Michael Murphy, a 2010 San Benito High graduate, capped off his college football career in style last Saturday when North Dakota State University beat Towson, 35-7, to win its third straight FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) national championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The Bison capped off a perfect 15-0 season, becoming just the second team in FCS history to win three straight titles. Murphy, the team’s starting long snapper since the start of the 2010 season — he never missed a game in college, starting all 59 games — said it was a dream to be a part of a program that has become synonymous with winning and being giant killers in the process (the Bison have beaten Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota and Colorado State in the last three years).
“I don’t even know what was going through my mind once the game was over,” Murphy said. “It’s crazy to think you’re a part of a team that put itself on a pedestal. The first championship you have a reaction of ‘Holy crap, we just won the national championship.’ We were also bitter because the year before we had lost in the quarterfinals.
“The second one was basically to prove that we were that good, and the third one was probably the most emotional of them all because with our coach (Bison coach Craig Bohl coached in the game despite having already taken the Wyoming job) leaving, there were a lot of questions going around to see if the players would be able to stay focused. We obviously answered that question.”
NDSU did it in emphatic fashion, winning its 24th consecutive game to match a FCS record. It’s been a dream ride for Murphy, who will continue to train and work out in preparation for his NFL Pro Day in March. That’s when Murphy will get a clear gauge as to what his prospects are for a potential career in the NFL, or, perhaps, playing professionally in another league.
For now, Murphy is still basking in the glory of being a part of three championship-winning teams, never missing a game in the process. Murphy, who starred at San Benito at linebacker and long snapper, never missed a game in high school, either.
“I’m proud to say I never missed a game in high school or college,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to stay healthy, and it takes a lot of passion and pride to not miss a game.”
SOFTBALL
Softball season is still over a month away, but San Benito had another banner day on Monday when two sophomores — Callee Heen and Suzy Brookshire — gave verbal commitments to play for Division I programs.
Heen, who played in 27 games last season for the eight-time defending Central Coast Section Division I champion Balers, gave a verbal commitment to the University of Hawaii-Manoa, which went 45-13 last year and advanced to an NCAA regional.
Brookshire, who played in just three games last season as a freshman, gave a verbal commitment to Sacramento State, which finished 22-22 a year ago.
