Wheaton Recap

Mount Union College advanced to the Division III Playoff Quarterfinals for the 11th consecutive year with a 42-21 victory over visiting Wheaton College (IL) on Saturday, November 30.

Running back Dan Pugh, a Gagliardi finalist for the Division III Player of the Year, scored four times, including a key 91 yard kick off return for a score late in the third quarter to lead the Raider offensive attack. Pugh (36 att/161 yds) also went over the 100 yard rushing mark for the ninth time in 11 games. He totaled 275 all-purpose yards in the contest.

Raider quarterback Rob Adamson finished 15-of-28 for 265 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Randell Knapp had a game-best seven receptions for 133 yards and one score. Tight end Josh Liddell finished with four receptions for 75 yards.

Mount Union led 21-0 at half and 28-0 early in the third quarter before Wheaton scored on a 7 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chad Bradley to wide receiver Jonathan Wills at the 7:21 mark of the third. The Thunder scored again at the 2:22 mark of the third quarter when running back Dan Price scored from 18 yards out. Following a Raider penalty on the PAT, Wheaton went for two and scored, cutting the lead to 28-15.

Pugh then answered with his first career kick off return for a touchdown at the 2:01 mark of the quarter, making the score 34-15 Mount Union.

"Anyone who doesn't think special teams are important needs to see the tape of this game," said Wheaton head coach Mike Swider. "They returned a kick for a touchdown, had a long punt return and they blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown. That was the difference in the game today."

Wheaton followed Pugh's long return with an 11 play/64 yard drive capped by a 1 yard touchdown by Price at the 12:51 mark of the fourth quarter. Mount Union finished the scoring with an 11 play/76 yard drive, as Pugh found the end zone for the fourth time at the 8:08 mark of the period, giving him a Division III best 30 touchdowns on the year.

Wheaton's Chad Bradley finished 15-of-35 for 176 yards and one touchdown. Running back Garrett Granberg had 87 yards rushing on 16 carries while Dan Price scored twice and finished with 78 yards rushing on 17 carries. Wills led Wheaton with six receptions and 68 yards receiving. Linebacker Justin Knapp had a game-best 14 tackles on the day while cornerback Ty Gose finished with 10 hits.

Mount Union totaled 418 yards of offense compared to Wheaton's 358 yards. The Raiders averaged 5.8 yards per play while Wheaton was at 4.3.

Defensively, the Raiders were led by linebacker Josh Church, who finished with a team-best 13 hits and one sack. Defensive back Dustin Blake had nine hits and a fumble recovery while end Chris Carter finished with nine hits and one sack. End Matt Campbell totaled eight hits, one tackle for loss and one sack.

Mount Union, current holder of the nation's longest winning streak (39), has now won nine straight playoff games and posts a Division III best playoff record of 34-7.

The Purple Raiders (11-0) will host the Wabash College Little Giants (12-0) of Indiana on Saturday, December 7. Kick off from Mount Union Stadium is set for noon. Wabash advanced in the playoffs with wins over MacMurray (42-7) and Wittenberg (25-14). This will be the first meeting between these two teams.

Raider season ticket holders and parents of players should call 330-821-6759 on Monday, Dec. 2, during regular business hours for tickets. The general public can call that same number (330-821-6759) beginning Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m. Tickets will also be on sale when the gates open on Saturday at 10 a.m.