Just four years into existence, West Florida has conquered Division II.
After Pete Shinnick's program reached the Division II championship in its sophomore campaign of 2017, the Arognauts returned to the title game and this time won it, knocking off Minnesota State 48-40 in McKinney, Texas.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Reed set the D2 championship game record -- in the first half. Reed racked up 399 yards and five touchdowns -- most of the damage going to Quentin Randolph, who posted eight first-half grabs for a record 241 yards and three touchdowns in the first half -- by halftime. For the game, he went 33-of-54 for 523 yards and six touchdowns with an interception.
His sixth touchdown put West Florida up 45-21 midway through the second quarter.
The Argonauts then held off a charge from Minnesota State, as the Mavericks reached West Florida territory inside the final minute before UWF forced a late turnover on downs. West Florida completed a Cinderella run to the championship, as the Argos were unseeded in their bracket, knocking off 4th-seeded Wingate in the opening round, No. 1 overall seed Valdosta State in Round 2, Lenoir-Rhyne in the Regional Final, No. 2 Ferris State in the semifinals and No. 4 Minnesota State on Saturday. Shinnick's team did not enjoy a single home playoff game in its run to the ground, traveling to North Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina again, Michigan and finally Texas.