Published: Sunday, December 17, 2006
Mount Union's 'best game'
brings ninth national title
The Purple Raiders beat Wisconsin-Whitewater for the second straight year, 35-16.
By GENE MARRANO
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
SALEM, Va. — The first repeat back-to-back matchup in the Stagg Bowl's 34-year history was a repeat on the field as well, with Mount Union College beating Wisconsin-Whitewater, 35-16, Saturday night for the NCAA Division III college football championship.
It was the ninth title for Raiders coach Larry Kehres in 10 trips to the final, while Whitewater coach Bob Berezowitz failed again in his second and final attempt to take home the crown. The 22-year coach retired after the game.
Last year Mount Union won, 35-28.
"We played our best game of the season," said Kehres. "This is one of the top games we've played in the Stagg Bowl."
Mount Union got out of the blocks in sluggish fashion when tailback Nate Kmic fumbled for the first time since the second game of the season to kill an early drive. Later in the first quarter the Purple Raiders committed back-to-back penalties to end another series.
Then something happened to Mount Union that had not occurred for 364 days: They trailed in a ball game.
The Warhawks, which led 7-0 in last year's Stagg Bowl, drove 56 yards in 10 plays this time and led 3-0 when Jeff Schleber hit a 25-yard field goal with two minutes left to play in the quarter.
Replay confirms catch
The Purple Raiders countered with an 8-play, 62-yard drive of their own, highlighted by a 28-yard Pierre Garcon catch to the Warhawks 6-yard line. The All-American receiver had one foot in bounds and a challenge replay confirmed the catch.
Senior tight end Anthony Antonucci hauled in a 2-yard touchdown pass after quarterback Greg Micheli faked the run to Kmic. Micheli had replaced Mount Union starter Mike Jorris before the touchdown drive that ended about a minute into the second quarter. Jorris may have been hampered by nerve damage, Kehres revealed after the game.
"Greg had the hot hand [as well]," the coach noted.
After a three-and-out by Whitewater, the Purple Raiders came roaring back with another TD drive. The 10-play, 73-yard possession was kept alive by a fourth-down throw from Micheli to Terrence Mooring.
Micheli was 7-for-7 passing through the first two drives.
Mount Union made it 14-3 when Micheli scampered through several defenders on a 13-yard run with 6:52 to play in the half.
Warhawks bounce back
It didn't stay that way for long, as Whitewater's Jordan Wells returned the kickoff 81 yards to the Raiders 5. Quarterback Justin Jacobs ran it in two plays later and the Warhawks climbed back to a 14-10 deficit.
On their next and final possession of the half the Warhawks went seven plays in 54 yards and were within one point at 14-13 on Schleber's second field goal (24 yards).
Second half play was sloppy on both sides right after the break. Jorris was back under center at quarterback for the Raiders at the start of the third quarter, but he promptly threw an interception on a deep ball.
After the longest play of the game to that point by Whitewater — a 24-yard pass reception by wideout Derek Stanley — Justin Beaver gave it right back to the Purple Raiders by fumbling the ball on a run.
Mount Union has not lost a game since 1994 when scoring 28 points or more, and didn't on this night either. The Purple Raiders were soon back on track after the initial missteps and scored twice within three minutes.
Micheli-to-Garcon TD
First Micheli, in for Jorris after the first series, found Garcon on a 46-yard crossing pattern to cap a five play drive. It was 21-13 Mount Union after Mike Zimmerman's PAT.
Garcon's catch represented his 16th touchdown grab of the season, and was also Micheli's 13th completion of the game, a career high for the sophomore. Garcon finished with eight catches for 116 yards and tailback Nate Kmic followed his 371-yard performance in the semifinal with 111 yards rushing on 25 carries.
Micheli was the game's Most Valuable Player after his 18-for-22 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
"I've been known as a runner and the defenses adjust to someone that runs more. I think that opened up the passing game today," said the sophomore.
Then special teams got in on the action for Mount Union when Matt Kostelnik blocked his third kick of the season on a punt. Matt Rees scooped up the loose ball and ran it in from 34 yards out as the Purple Raiders made it 28-13 with 2:44 left in the third quarter.
"We had some things fall apart in the second half," admitted Berezowitz, "but the credit goes to Larry."
"I think that really gave us an extra edge, especially in the third quarter," said Kostelnik, who was glad that Rees, one of his "best friends" was able to take the blocked punt in for a touchdown.
Warhawks battle back
Wisconsin-Whitewater did not go away quietly, and Schleber connected on his third field goal of the game — the three FGs were a Stagg Bowl record — with 14:46 to play in the game for a 28-16 Mount Union edge.
Micheli came right back to complete his 16th pass in 20 attempts when Garcon carried a 12-yard toss into the end zone for his second touchdown and a Raiders' 35-16 lead with 10:59 left.
Mount Union kept the ball on the ground after that and clamped down on defense in rolling to NCAA D-3 title number nine.
"They were a better football team then we were today, in every aspect," said Berezowitz.
Mount Union had 363 yards of total offense to 235 for Wisconsin-Whitewater. "They brought the best out of us," added Kehres.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Purple Raiders beat Wisconsin-Whitewater for the second straight year, 35-16.
By GENE MARRANO
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
SALEM, Va. — The first repeat back-to-back matchup in the Stagg Bowl's 34-year history was a repeat on the field as well, with Mount Union College beating Wisconsin-Whitewater, 35-16, Saturday night for the NCAA Division III college football championship.
It was the ninth title for Raiders coach Larry Kehres in 10 trips to the final, while Whitewater coach Bob Berezowitz failed again in his second and final attempt to take home the crown. The 22-year coach retired after the game.
Last year Mount Union won, 35-28.
"We played our best game of the season," said Kehres. "This is one of the top games we've played in the Stagg Bowl."
Mount Union got out of the blocks in sluggish fashion when tailback Nate Kmic fumbled for the first time since the second game of the season to kill an early drive. Later in the first quarter the Purple Raiders committed back-to-back penalties to end another series.
Then something happened to Mount Union that had not occurred for 364 days: They trailed in a ball game.
The Warhawks, which led 7-0 in last year's Stagg Bowl, drove 56 yards in 10 plays this time and led 3-0 when Jeff Schleber hit a 25-yard field goal with two minutes left to play in the quarter.
Replay confirms catch
The Purple Raiders countered with an 8-play, 62-yard drive of their own, highlighted by a 28-yard Pierre Garcon catch to the Warhawks 6-yard line. The All-American receiver had one foot in bounds and a challenge replay confirmed the catch.
Senior tight end Anthony Antonucci hauled in a 2-yard touchdown pass after quarterback Greg Micheli faked the run to Kmic. Micheli had replaced Mount Union starter Mike Jorris before the touchdown drive that ended about a minute into the second quarter. Jorris may have been hampered by nerve damage, Kehres revealed after the game.
"Greg had the hot hand [as well]," the coach noted.
After a three-and-out by Whitewater, the Purple Raiders came roaring back with another TD drive. The 10-play, 73-yard possession was kept alive by a fourth-down throw from Micheli to Terrence Mooring.
Micheli was 7-for-7 passing through the first two drives.
Mount Union made it 14-3 when Micheli scampered through several defenders on a 13-yard run with 6:52 to play in the half.
Warhawks bounce back
It didn't stay that way for long, as Whitewater's Jordan Wells returned the kickoff 81 yards to the Raiders 5. Quarterback Justin Jacobs ran it in two plays later and the Warhawks climbed back to a 14-10 deficit.
On their next and final possession of the half the Warhawks went seven plays in 54 yards and were within one point at 14-13 on Schleber's second field goal (24 yards).
Second half play was sloppy on both sides right after the break. Jorris was back under center at quarterback for the Raiders at the start of the third quarter, but he promptly threw an interception on a deep ball.
After the longest play of the game to that point by Whitewater — a 24-yard pass reception by wideout Derek Stanley — Justin Beaver gave it right back to the Purple Raiders by fumbling the ball on a run.
Mount Union has not lost a game since 1994 when scoring 28 points or more, and didn't on this night either. The Purple Raiders were soon back on track after the initial missteps and scored twice within three minutes.
Micheli-to-Garcon TD
First Micheli, in for Jorris after the first series, found Garcon on a 46-yard crossing pattern to cap a five play drive. It was 21-13 Mount Union after Mike Zimmerman's PAT.
Garcon's catch represented his 16th touchdown grab of the season, and was also Micheli's 13th completion of the game, a career high for the sophomore. Garcon finished with eight catches for 116 yards and tailback Nate Kmic followed his 371-yard performance in the semifinal with 111 yards rushing on 25 carries.
Micheli was the game's Most Valuable Player after his 18-for-22 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
"I've been known as a runner and the defenses adjust to someone that runs more. I think that opened up the passing game today," said the sophomore.
Then special teams got in on the action for Mount Union when Matt Kostelnik blocked his third kick of the season on a punt. Matt Rees scooped up the loose ball and ran it in from 34 yards out as the Purple Raiders made it 28-13 with 2:44 left in the third quarter.
"We had some things fall apart in the second half," admitted Berezowitz, "but the credit goes to Larry."
"I think that really gave us an extra edge, especially in the third quarter," said Kostelnik, who was glad that Rees, one of his "best friends" was able to take the blocked punt in for a touchdown.
Warhawks battle back
Wisconsin-Whitewater did not go away quietly, and Schleber connected on his third field goal of the game — the three FGs were a Stagg Bowl record — with 14:46 to play in the game for a 28-16 Mount Union edge.
Micheli came right back to complete his 16th pass in 20 attempts when Garcon carried a 12-yard toss into the end zone for his second touchdown and a Raiders' 35-16 lead with 10:59 left.
Mount Union kept the ball on the ground after that and clamped down on defense in rolling to NCAA D-3 title number nine.
"They were a better football team then we were today, in every aspect," said Berezowitz.
Mount Union had 363 yards of total offense to 235 for Wisconsin-Whitewater. "They brought the best out of us," added Kehres.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The first repeat back-to-back matchup in the Stagg Bowl's 34-year history was a repeat on the field as well, with Mount...
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