PHENIX CITY, Ala. - Sometimes, words are just plain inadequate in describing a feeling. In those cases, no matter how hard you try to explain, the last words out of your mouth are always "you had to be there."

Saturday afternoon's Division III National Championship game was one of those situations. Words cannot even begin to describe the feeling that Dayton's 63-0 win over Ithaca brought to the hundreds of UD fans who traveled to Alabama, or the thousands who were part of the amazing win through television.

You just had to be there to believe it.

Coming into the game, Ithaca was the favorite in the minds of many people. After all, the Bombers were the defending national champs, were ranked number one in the nation, and had an unblemished 12-0 record.

Dayton, on the other hand, was a new face at the Stagg Bowl. Since the Flyers had never gone beyond the playoff's first round, and despite UD's 13-0 record, the consensus made Dayton the underdog.

But the Flyers proved just how wrong the consensus can be.

To be blunt, Dayton put on a show. Everything the Flyers did, they did perfectly. The offense was flawless with no fumbles or interceptions while rolling out 356 yards. UD managed to score on nine of 13 possessions, practically an unheard of 69 percent scoring efficiency.

The defense was perfect in recording its sixth shutout of the year. UD's defense held the Bombers' supposedly potent offense (38 pt. per game average) to only 121 yards and no points. Ithaca's offense actually threw more interceptions (four) than complete passes (three).

Even the intangibles were fine. UD's band brought the house down with its halftime show, and the Flyer fans who went to Alabama acted like fans should: loud, louder and loudest.

"We have more than a football team at Dayton. We have a program," UD Coach Rick Carter said. "Besides a great football team, we have a fine band, great fans and excellent community support."

But Saturday, it was the great football team that stole the show. And they stole it early.

Dayton took control when UD's Scott Bowyer intercepted an Ithaca pass in the first quarter and returned it to the Bomber 36-yard line. Five plays later, Flyer quarterback Jim O'Hara scored on a nine-yard prance to make it 6-0 Dayton.

Ithaca didn't make things any easier on itself when All-American running back Bob Ferrigno fumbled moments later. Mike Langford recovered for UD on Ithaca's 22-yard line., and Gradlin Pruitt ran it in for the TD four plays later. It was 13-0.

"If we can get the ball from our defense within the 40 with the end zone in sight, we roll," said UD reserve quarterback Jon Vorpe who saw plenty of action due to O'Hara's sore shoulder.

Dayton continued to roll in the second quarter when Jim Pearson recovered an Ithaca fumble on the Bombers' eight-yard line. Pruitt scored a minute later and the rout was on, 20-0.

It continued when Fred Yaple's fumble was recovered by UD linebacker Mark Hufford. Garry Smith's TD and a two-point conversion made it 28-0.

"Most of their [Ithaca's] turnovers weren't caused by bad play by them," Hufford said. "They were caused by good plays by us."

The second half was more of the same. Much more.

Vorpe scored on a three-yard run. Greg Bazany scored in runs of six and 25 yards, and Pete Madden scored on a 31-yard interception return.

Kicker Jim Fullenkamp added seven extra points to make the final score an unbelievable 63-0.

A quiet Jim Butterfield, Itahca's coach, only had praise for UD. "You're the best Division III team that I've ever seen," he told Carter as they at midfield after the game.

And after Saturday's performance, it would be hard for anyone to argue with him.