GROVE CITY, Pa. – Grove City rode a methodical, grind-it-out offense to a, 20-14, win over Thiel College to win the Mercer County Cup for the second consecutive year at dreary Robert E. Thorn Field on Saturday.

The Wolverines held a nearly two-to-one advantage in time of possession, and out-gained Thiel 380-310, in what was the season finale for both team. The Tomcats finished the season with a 2-8 record (1-5 PAC), while Grove City clinched a 6-4 (3-3) mark to earn its first winning season since 2000.

The game, as the score would indicate, was a classic. Thiel used a spirited effort and a big-play-oriented attack in contrast to Grove City's possession offense – and it was nearly enough – but the Tomcats saw their chances evaporate on the game's final drive.

“I'm so proud it's ridiculous,” Thiel head coach Jack Leipheimer gushed of his team's heart. “They showed great, great character out there. I love these kids – it was just a great effort and great character.”

Thiel responded to Grove City's final scoring drive – a 29-yard Craig Bicehouse field goal – by driving to the GCC 16 yard line with under 10 seconds to spare. The Tomcats hurried up to spike the ball to give themselves a chance for a winning touchdown, but the snap slipped through quarterback Willie Bova's hands as time expired.

It was the only blemish in an otherwise exceptional day for Bova, who overcame a driving rain to complete 21 of 31 pass attempts for 235 yards and a touchdown. His longest completion of the afternoon – a 52-yard bomb to junior wideout Brendan Taylor (Girard, Pa./Girard) – set the stage for Thiel's first score of the game, which came moments later on a three-yard TD run by Brice Mertiff. The ensuing John Madeline kick gave Thiel the early, 7-0, lead.

Trailing 17-10, Bova found Taylor again in the third quarter – this time for a 51-yard touchdown.

It was the third consecutive game with a reception for a touchdown for Taylor, who reeled in five in the Tomcats' last three games of the season. Taylor finished with seven catches for 135 yards.

Defensively for Thiel, sophomore Bobby Shew had a monster day, racking up a game-leading 17 tackles, which included a five-yard sack. Junior William Haase registered two sacks for a combined 11 yards to highlight a nine-tackle day.

Haase's 20 tackles for a loss this season is a Thiel record.