They needed 10 yards. Exactly 10 yards.

But when Marshall McEwen’s fourth-down catch was spotted on the ground, it was too close to call.

Carroll College fans roared, “It could be a first down.”

While St. Xavier jeered, “Who needs the chains?”

And as the referees brought them out and measured the play, it was apparent the Saints were a few inches short.

The Cougars had the ball and with 1:54 left in the game, Carroll used up all three timeouts, hoping for a defensive miracle.

But the Cougars ran for a first down and then another. They knelt on the ball and Saturday’s game was settled.

The No. 9 Cougars, who had won their first-ever NAIA playoff game the week before, had upset No. 4 Carroll, the four-time defending national champions. Seventeen straight playoff wins had come to an end, and the Saints look confused, “What do we do?”

St. Xavier erupted, storming the snowy field and crowding together. The Saints walked to the center to shake hands and tell them, “Good game.”

Afterward, Carroll players huddled in pairs. Hugging their comrades and patting them on the helmet.

Friends and family, and fans of all type, filtered their way onto the field. Just then, coach Mike Van Diest called the Saints together.

They circled around him, bearing the wind and listening to his voice. It crackled as he spoke with glossy eyes.

From the edges of the crowd, his words were barely audible.

He told them not to let their memories of college be defined by the score, and that you can never replace the leaders that you’ve had in the past.

And before letting them back into the regular world he told them all: “You guys are a great group. I love you guys.”