Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

FORT DODGE, Iowa – Football is a game of inches.

Every yard is fought hard for and, in the long run, essential to winning a game.

Making its 11th bowl game appearance, the first since 2013, the New Mexico Military Institute had high hopes entering the Graphic Edge Bowl.

The No. 9-ranked Broncos fought until the very end but unfortunately couldn't come out victorious against the No. 10 Iowa Central Community College Tritons.

NMMI (5-4) lost a heartbreaker 23-21 to Iowa Central on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

"Super proud with everything they did this year," said NMMI head coach Joe Forchtner. "I think it's frustrating right now. I'm proud of the effort, they played hard."

The Broncos started off on offense with an eight-play drive that ended with a failed fourth-and-one attempt.

Iowa Central had a similar start as the Bronco defense spoiled a fourth-and-eight conversion.

Bihail Kone came away with an interception on the fifth play of NMMI's next offensive series. The Tritons were able to capitalize with a two-yard run by Daylen Boddie with 7:29 in the opening quarter.

The Tritons grabbed their second interception on the next series as EJ Perry ended a six-play drive by the Bronco offense.

NMMI's miscue led to three points by Iowa Central with a 25-yard field goal by Colin Swygman during the second quarter with 10:46 remaining.

Iowa Central (6-3) grabbed its third interception of the game but couldn't muster up any points as the NMMI defense stood strong.

Diego Pavia got the Broncos on the board with a 20-yard scamper with 8:38 in the third quarter.

Trailing by three entering the final quarter, NMMI flipped the script and took a 14-10 lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Jordan Bolden that capped off a seven-play, 40-yard drive with 14:57 on the clock.

A 55-yard reception by Iowa Central's Jayce Levy helped setup a three-yard touchdown pass from Byron Jarrett to Levy, which gave the Tritons a 17-14 lead.

The Bronco offense went three-and-out on its next drive.

Iowa Central put together a 19-play drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run by Jarrett. The two-point conversion was failed, making the score 23-14 with 1:19 remaining.

NMMI didn't back down despite having to race against time.

Pavia threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Malik Phillips with 32 seconds left in the contest.

With one last chance to get the ball back and take the lead, the Broncos attempted an onside kick but they couldn't recover as the Tritons went into victory formation to rundown the final seconds.

Iowa Central captured its seventh straight bowl win.

NMMI's bowl game record is now 5-5-1.

The Broncos tallied 356 total yards of offense, 190 of which came through the air and 166 on the ground.

Tyrique Thompson, who was named offensive MVP, rushed for 66 yards on 14 carries while Bolden finished with 11 carries for 41 yards.

Michael Aikens earned defensive MVP.

Pavia completed 15 of 23 passes for 190 yards while he ran for 29 yards on 11 attempts.

Phillips came down with five receptions for 106 yards to lead the receiving corps and Thompson had three catches for 26 yards.

Jaylin Smith added with three receptions for 17 yards. The Bronco offense had 20 first downs compared to 16 for the Tritons.

"I thought when we came out were almost a little too hyped," Forchtner added. "That led to a loss of focus where guys were trying to do too much.

"Once we settled down, we were OK. Just part of growing up as a football player."