Ohio Northern Recap

Raiders Earn Share of OAC Title With Win at Northern

Mount Union College earned a share of its 11th consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Championship and 14th overall with a 34-24 win against Ohio Northern on Saturday, November 9.

The Purple Raiders scored on their first possession - a 10 play/79 yard drive capped by a 9 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rob Adamson to wide receiver Randell Knapp at the 6:18 mark of the first quarter. Chad Teague added the extra point.

Ohio Northern answered with a Keith Gudakunst 20 yard field goal coming at the 14:56 mark of the second quarter, finishing off a 16 play/76 yard drive.

Mount Union running back Dan Pugh scored from 1 yard out at the 11:53 mark of the second quarter, capping an 8 play/60 yard drive. Teague's PAT was blocked. The Raiders led 13-3 at halftime.

Mount Union opened the second half with a quick 6 play/61 yard drive, as Adamson found Pugh on a 29 yard touchdown pass with 13:11 remaining in the third quarter. Teague added the PAT.

Following defensive back Dustin Blake's fumble recovery, the Raiders took advantage of a short field as Pugh scored from 3 yards out at the 10:47 mark of the third stanza. Teague added the PAT.

Northern answered with a 6 play/72 yard drive as Adam Quirk connected with receiver Jace Metzner on a 25 yard touchdown pass. Gudakunst added the PAT.

The Raiders scored at the 14:04 mark of the fourth quarter as Adamson found tight end Josh Liddell from 23 yards out, capping a 7 play/61 yard drive. Teague's PAT gave the Raiders a 24 point edge (34-10).

Northern came right back with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Matt Kanetsky to Metzner at the 11:14 mark of the fourth quarter. Gudakunst added the PAT.

Polar Bears' running back Zach Weber scored from 53 yards out at the 8:46 mark following a Raider turnover, cutting the margin to 10 (34-24).

Cornerback Matt Sotcan's interception in the end zone late in the game sealed the win for the Raiders.

The Raiders were led by Pugh, who totaled 172 yards on 37 carries and three scores, giving him a league-best 22 touchdowns on the year. Knapp posted career bests in receptions (10) and yards receiving (158). Defensively, end Matt Campbell had 11 hits and two tackles for losses for the Raiders.

Ohio Northern was paced by Weber who had 14 carries for 93 yards. Defensively, linebacker Ryan DiFranco had a game-high 14 hits on the day for the Polar Bears.

The Raiders finished with 502 yards of offense compared to the Polar Bears' 377.

The win extends college football's current longest winning streak to 37. Mount Union has also won 91 of its last 92 games played. The Raiders have now earned 83 consecutive regular season and 75 straight OAC wins.

Mount Union closes out the regular season at home against Wilmington on Nov. 16. Kick off from Mount Union Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.