The Purple Raiders will face Wisconsin-Whitewater for the national title.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ALLIANCE — For the 10th time in 12 years, the Mount Union College football team will be playing for a Division III national championship.
The Purple Raiders will face Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the third straight year next Saturday, after blitzing first-time national semifinalist Bethel, 62-14, Saturday afternoon at Mount Union Stadium.
The two-time defending champions scored on all seven of their possessions in the first half to open up a 41-0 lead at the intermission. The Raiders' point total was their highest this postseason during which they have never been challenged.
Mount Union's offense showcased its balance by running for 233 yards and passing for 260. Nate Kmic ran for three scores and quarterback Greg Micheli tossed two TD passes and rushed for one score.
Defensively, the Purple Raiders forced three turnovers, including a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown by Craig Nikoli, who picked off two passes.
"We have a lot of leaders on our defense," said Nikoli. "Being a junior among all those seniors, I know my role. I just try to do my part out there and it paid off today.
"We expect our offense to score and when it does it gives our defense momentum going out there and makes us want to make big plays of our own. The other team wants to move the ball on us and our job is to stop them."
Bethel's strategy was to stick with the run, hoping to keep Mount Union's offensive juggernaut off the field. The plan failed miserably in the first quarter, as the Purple Raiders held the Royals to minus 28 yards rushing in the opening period.
The Royals did finish with 133 yards on the ground, but most of that came late in the contest with Mount Union comfortably ahead.
Bethel dented the scoreboard twice in the final eight minutes with a pair of touchdowns by backup quarterback Dan Einerson, who relieved starter Ben Wetzell in the second quarter.
Wetzell, who started despite a separated throwing shoulder, left the game in the second after taking a big hit.
"That was a big loss for them," said Mount Union coach Larry Kehres. "I admire him for trying to play with that injury. It's tough for a quarterback to play like that. He just couldn't take the hits today and not many teams can recover from losing a quarterback like him."
With another date in the title game looming, Kehres embraced the opportunity as one that will provide its share of challenges — not just on the field against Whitewater.
"This week will be the ultimate test of focus for our kids," said Kehres. "Starting at 3 o'clock today it was time for preparation, not celebration. We have to get our finals done in the first eight sessions [of 15] and try to get three good practices in this week before we go. Plus we have to pack and get everything together for all the social events we'll attend."
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Purple Raiders will face Wisconsin-Whitewater for the national title.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ALLIANCE — For the 10th time in 12 years, the Mount Union College football team will be playing for a Division III national championship.
The Purple Raiders will face Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the third straight year next Saturday, after blitzing first-time national semifinalist Bethel, 62-14, Saturday afternoon at Mount Union Stadium.
The two-time defending champions scored on all seven of their possessions in the first half to open up a 41-0 lead at the intermission. The Raiders' point total was their highest this postseason during which they have never been challenged.
Mount Union's offense showcased its balance by running for 233 yards and passing for 260. Nate Kmic ran for three scores and quarterback Greg Micheli tossed two TD passes and rushed for one score.
Defensively, the Purple Raiders forced three turnovers, including a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown by Craig Nikoli, who picked off two passes.
"We have a lot of leaders on our defense," said Nikoli. "Being a junior among all those seniors, I know my role. I just try to do my part out there and it paid off today.
"We expect our offense to score and when it does it gives our defense momentum going out there and makes us want to make big plays of our own. The other team wants to move the ball on us and our job is to stop them."
Bethel's strategy was to stick with the run, hoping to keep Mount Union's offensive juggernaut off the field. The plan failed miserably in the first quarter, as the Purple Raiders held the Royals to minus 28 yards rushing in the opening period.
The Royals did finish with 133 yards on the ground, but most of that came late in the contest with Mount Union comfortably ahead.
Bethel dented the scoreboard twice in the final eight minutes with a pair of touchdowns by backup quarterback Dan Einerson, who relieved starter Ben Wetzell in the second quarter.
Wetzell, who started despite a separated throwing shoulder, left the game in the second after taking a big hit.
"That was a big loss for them," said Mount Union coach Larry Kehres. "I admire him for trying to play with that injury. It's tough for a quarterback to play like that. He just couldn't take the hits today and not many teams can recover from losing a quarterback like him."
With another date in the title game looming, Kehres embraced the opportunity as one that will provide its share of challenges — not just on the field against Whitewater.
"This week will be the ultimate test of focus for our kids," said Kehres. "Starting at 3 o'clock today it was time for preparation, not celebration. We have to get our finals done in the first eight sessions [of 15] and try to get three good practices in this week before we go. Plus we have to pack and get everything together for all the social events we'll attend."
Sunday, December 9, 2007
For the 10th time in 12 years, the Mount Union College football team will be playing for a Division III national...
