Wabash Recap

Mount Union College, the two-time defending National Champion, advanced to the Division III football semi-finals for the eighth consecutive year with a 45-16 victory over visiting Wabash College (IN) in front of 4,011 fans at Mount Union Stadium on Saturday, December 7.

The Purple Raiders (12-0) jumped out to an early 17-0 lead and never trailed in the contest.

Mount Union wide receiver Randell Knapp was on the receiving end of a Rob Adamson 22 yard touchdown pass with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter. That capped a 6-play/41 yard drive. Following linebacker Stan Watson's interception, the Raiders went 44 yards on six plays as Adamson found tight end Josh Liddell on an eight yard touchdown strike at the 6:21 mark of the first quarter.

After cornerback Matt Sotcan's interception, Mount Union went 77 yards on eight plays, capped off by a 34 yard Chad Teague field goal midway through the second quarter.

Wabash (12-1) got on the board with a 23-yard field goal from Olmy Olmstead at the 3:58 mark of the second quarter. That drive covered 76 yards on 11 plays.

Mount Union came right back as Adamson found wide receiver Derrick Leach for 23 yards, then running Dan Pugh broke a game-best 36 yard scamper, setting up his own 3 yard touchdown run with 2:35 left before half.

The Raiders then scored their first defensive touchdown of the season when end Chris Carter picked off a Jake Knott screen pass and returned it 21 yards for a score putting Mount Union up 31-3 with 2:15 left in the second quarter.

Wabash scored at the 9:44 mark of the third quarter when running back Chris Morris capped a 14 play/64 yard drive with a 2 yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed.

The Raiders answered right away when Adamson hooked up with Knapp on a 14-yard touchdown strike at the 5:07 mark of the quarter. That finished off a 9 play/65 yard march, putting the Raiders up 38-9.

Mount Union struck first in the final stanza when Pugh scored his NCAA Division III best 32nd touchdown of the season on a 14 yard run at the 7:25 mark.

Wabash got on the board for the final time when Knott found fullback Nick Dawson on a 4-yard pass with 4:27 remaining in the contest.

Individually, Adamson was 15-of-23 for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Knapp finished with a game-best seven receptions for 125 yards and two scores. Pugh went over the 100-yard mark for the 10th time this season, finishing with 165 yards on 25 carries.

Defensively, the Purple & White was led by Stan Watson's 14 hits. Carter finished with 12 hit and two sacks while tackle Josh Ludwig also had 12 hits, including three tackles for loss. Mount Union had four sacks to go along with three interceptions in the contest.

Wabash's Knott finished 16-of-36 for 165 yards and one touchdown. Morris totaled 159 yards on 34 carries. Tight end Ryan Short had four receptions for 33 yards.

Defensively, safety Stu Johnson had a team-best 11 hits while cornerback Dustin Deno had nine hits.

Mount Union totaled 439 yards of offense compared to Wabash's 352. The Raiders averaged 7.7 yards per play while the Little Giants were at 4.0 yards per play.

The Purple Raiders have now won an NCAA current best 40 consecutive games and 94 of their last 95 played overall.

Mount Union will host conference rival John Carroll (12-1) next Saturday, Dec. 14, at Mount Union Stadium. Kick off is set for noon. The Blue Streaks advanced to the "Final Four" with a 16-10 overtime win against Brockport State (NY).

The winner of that contest advances to the Division III National Championship Game (Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl) to be held in Salem, Virginia, on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Purple Raider season ticket holders and parents of players should call 330-821-6759 during regular business on Monday, Dec. 9 for ticket purchases for the Dec. 14 contest. The general public can call that same number beginning Tuesday, Dec. 10. General reserve seating can be purchased in person at the College's Hoover Price Campus Center beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 9 as well.