Ohio Northern Preview

Purple Raiders To Battle Polar Bears In Week #9

Mount Union, winner of a current NCAA-best 36 consecutive games, will travel to Ada, Ohio, to take on Ohio Northern, on Saturday, November 9. Kick off from War Memorial Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.

Ohio Northern, (4-4, 4-3 OAC), opened the season with consecutive losses to Wisconsin-Stevens Point (31-17), Capital (47-12) and John Carroll (33-7) before defeating Muskingum 35-7 in week #4. The Polar Bears fell in week #5 to Baldwin-Wallace (48-41) but have since rolled off three straight wins against Marietta (42-10), Otterbein (28-7) and Wilmington (31-0).

Offensively, the Polar Bears are led by running back Zach Weber (154 att/877 yds/5.7 ypc/7 TDs) who is currently second in the conference in rushing and second on the team in receiving with 21 catches for 193 yards. The Polar Bears also feature wideout Jace Metzner (23 rec/19.7 ypc/3 TDs) and quarterback Adam Quirk (49-of-109/.450/907 yds/9 TDs/4 INTs).

Defensively, Ohio Northern is paced by linebacker Curt Hartman (74 hits/14 tfl), who is seventh in the conference in tackles, linebacker Brad Lohr (41 hits/5 TFL/1 sack), defensive lineman Josh Vogel (42 hits/10 tfl/6.5 sacks) and cornerback Ryan DiFranco (52 hits/5 TFL/1 INT).

Mount Union (8-0, 7-0 OAC) has consecutive victories over Wisconsin Whitewater (44-21), Baldwin-Wallace (28-21), Muskingum (49-3), Otterbein (55-0), Heidelberg (61-0), John Carroll (35-16), Capital (38-22) and Marietta (56-10).

Offensively, the Raiders are led by running back Dan Pugh (179 att/1,090 yds/6.1 ypg/16 TDs) the conference's leading rusher and scorer (19 TDs/116 pts), quarterback Rob Adamson (62-of-102/.608/1,047 yds/14 TDs/7 I NTs), tight end Josh Liddell (24 rec/14.2 ypc/2 TDs) and wide receiver Randell Knapp (22 rec/18.2 ypc/5 TDs).

Defensively, the Purple Raiders are paced by end Matt Campbell (55 hits/9 sacks/15 tfl), who leads the team in hits and sacks, end Chris Carter (36 hits/10 tfl/4 sacks), outside linebacker Justin Burton (31 hits/4 TFL/1 sack) and tackle Antoine Dillard (31 hits/5 TFL/3 sacks).

Ohio Northern enters week #9 ranked fifth in the OAC in both scoring (26.6 ppg) and points allowed (22.9 ppg). The Polar Bears are fourth in total offense (365.6 ypg) and team defense (289.2 ypg). Ohio Northern leads the conference in sacks (29) and is tied for eighth in turnover margin (-6).

Mount Union leads the OAC in both scoring (45.8 ppg) and points allowed (11.6 ppg). The Raiders also lead in total offense (507.9 ypg) and team defense (205.4 ypg). Mount Union is fourth in turnover margin (-2).

The coaching match-up features Ohio Northern's Tom Kaczkowski (84-76-2/17th season) and Mount Union's Larry Kehres (186-17-3/17th year).

The last time these teams met in 2001, the Raiders came away with a 31-3 victory in Alliance. Mount Union leads the all-time series 30-12-1 and has won the last 19 meetings dating back to the Polar Bears' 14-9 win in 1984.

Mount Union has won or shared 10 consecutive OAC crowns ('92-'01) and 13 overall. Since 1990, the Raiders have the winningest program in all of college football (156-7-1/957). Since 1992, Mount Union is 107-1 in regular season play. Overall, the Purple & White has won 82 consecutive regular season games, 74 straight OAC contests and 90 of the last 91 games played.

The Purple Raiders will return home on Saturday, November 16, to take on the Quakers of Wilmington (2-6, 1-6 OAC) in the regular season finale. Kick off from Mount Union Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.