Wabash Preview

Mount Union College will play host to Wabash College (IN) in the Division III Football Playoff Quarterfinals on Saturday, December 7. Kick off from Mount Union Stadium is set for noon.

Wabash (12-0) advanced to the quarterfinals with victories over MacMurray (42-7) and Wittenberg (25-14).

The Little Giants, winners of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), enter the contest riding a 19-game winning streak. Their 12 wins on the year sets a school record, surpassing the old mark of 11 set in 1977 when the Little Giants were runner-up in the Div. III Championships.

Offensively, the Little Giants are led by senior/quarterback Jake Knott (216-of-372/.581/2,789 yds/34 TDs/9 INTs), the 2002 NCAC Offensive Player of the Year. He's only one of 16 players in NCAA history to pass for over 10,000 yards and 100 TDs.

Other key performers include junior/running back Chris Morris (229 att/1,338 yds/5.8 ypc/19 total TDs), senior All-American tight end Ryan Short (67 rec/10.0 ypr/17 TDs), the Wabash career leader in receptions (239), and sophomore/wide receiver Brandon Clifton (41 rec/19.1 ypr/4 TDs).

Defensively, Wabash is paced by senior/middle linebacker Nate Boulais (94 hits/8.5 tfl), the 2002 NCAC Defensive Player of the Year, junior/linebacker Nick Fanelli (74 hits/5.5 tfl), junior/end Blair Hammer (55 hits/16 tfl/8.5 sacks) and sophomore/cornerback Dustin Dino (36 hits/6 INTs/4 blocked kicks)

Mount Union (11-0), riding the nation's longest current winning streak (39) and winner of 93 of the last 94 games played, reached this point with a 42-21 second round playoff victory over Wheaton. The Raiders have reached the playoff quarterfinals for the 11th consecutive year.

Offensively, the Purple Raiders are paced by Gagliardi nominee, senior/running back Dan Pugh (265 att/1,631 yds/6.2 ypc/30 total TDs), the nation's scoring leader, senior/quarterback Rob Adamson (100-of-168/.595/1,743 yds/21 TDs/8 INTs), junior/wide receiver Randell Knapp (40 rec/17.6 ypr/7 TDs) and senior/tight end Josh Liddell (33 rec/15.1 ypr/3 TDs).

Defensively, Mount Union is led by senior/All-American end Matt Campbell (81 hits/20 tfl/10 sacks), senior/linebacker Stan Watson (67 hits/6 tfl), senior/middle linebacker Josh Church (59 hits) and senior/All-American cornerback Chris Kern (41 hits/4 INTs/8 pbu).

Wabash enters the contest averaging 39.6 points per game while allowing 12.8 ppg. The Little Giants average 411.3 yards per game while allowing 237.8 ypg. Mount Union averages 45.8 points per contest while giving up 12.5 ppg. The Raiders average 503.0 yards per game while giving up 226.5 ypg.

The coaching match up features Wabash's Chris Creighton (52-9 overall, 20-2/2nd year at WC), the 2002 NCAC Coach of the Year, and Mount Union's Larry Kehres (189-17-3/17th year). Wabash enters the contest with a +23 turnover ratio while Mount Union is even (0) on the year.

Parents of Mount Union players and season ticket holders should call 330-821-6759 on Monday, Dec. 2 for ticket purchase. The general public should call that same number beginning Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. Tickets will also be available at the gate beginning at 10 a.m. on game day. The game will be broadcast live on WRMU 91.1 FM (Alliance) and WDPN 1310 AM (Alliance). The game will not be televised.

The winner of this game advances to the Div. III Playoff Final Four to take on the survivor of the John Carroll (11-1) - Brockport State of New York (10-2) winner.