Mount Union win is special

The Purple Raiders repelled Wheaton with the help of three special-team touchdowns in a 42-21 decision.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ALLIANCE -- Special teams accounted for three touchdowns as the Mount Union College football team turned back Wheaton 42-21 Saturday, in an NCAA Division III playoff game at Mount Union Stadium.
Next Saturday at noon, the Purple Raiders (11-0) will play host to Wabash College (12-0) in a regional semifinal contest. Wabash advanced by upending Wittenberg 25-14.
Senior running back Dan Pugh rushed for three touchdowns and returned a kickoff 91 yards for another to spark Mount Union.
A 41-yard punt return by Jason Cavell set up the Purple Raiders' first touchdown.
"Our special teams have played well this season," Mount Union coach Larry Kehres said, "but this was the best so far."
Josef, Kern deliver
Trying to punt from the Thunder 29, Esteban Lopez's kick was blocked by Mount's Johnny Josef. Chris Kern fell on the ball in the Wheaton end zone for a touchdown for a 14-0 lead.
"We rushed one more man on the blocked punt and they had to come out and get him and that let Josef get in there and block it," Kehres said.
Mount Union kept its winning streak going (39 straight), the longest in college football.
The Purple Raiders are 33-7 in playoffs, and are continuing their quest for a third straight national title.
Pugh's 10-yard TD run early in the third quarter gave the Purple Raiders a 28-0 lead.
Wheaton answered with two TDs and trailed 28-15 with 2:22 remaining in the period.
Pugh, behind solid blocking, then returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a TD.
"We thought we had a chance to come back, but that kickoff return hurt us," Wheaton coach Mike Swider. "Their special teams killed us and did a tremendous job after we got within 28-15."
"Our offensive team is really good. I thought we could move the ball offensively and we did," Swider said. "Our totals were close. They [Mount] had 418 yards and we had 358."
Thunder responds again
After Mount's kickoff return, the Thunder responded again as it marched 64 yards in 11 plays, with Dan Price going in from a yard out to cut the deficit to 34-21.
Price also scored on an 18-yard run and finished with 78 yards on 18 carries.
Right back came the Purple Raiders as they traveled 76 yards in 11 plays taking five minutes off the clock. Pugh plunged a yard for the touchdown.
"When they [Wheaton] got some points, we had to answer and we did that," said Pugh, who finished with 161 yards on 36 carries. "Our special teams put points on the board and that helped our offense. We have a great offensive line."
After Cavell's 41-yard punt return in the first quarter, Pugh gained a yard.
Quarterback Rob Adamson, who was 15-for-28 for 265 yards passing, then connected with Randell Knapp for 38 yards. Pugh tallied on a 5-yard run and when Chad Teague made a placement it was 7-0.
Wide receiver Knapp caught a 14-yard TD strike from Adamson in the second period to give Mount a 21-0 lead. Knapp caught seven passes for 133 yards.
Area players click
Senior linebacker Stan Watson, an Austintown Fitch High graduate, was in on eight tackles for the Purple Raiders.
Justin Burton, a West Branch graduate and Josh Ludwig of East Liverpool each were in on six. Freshman Ross Watson, also a Fitch graduate, was in on three.