COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Saturday's playoff game

WHEATON (10-1) vs. MOUNT UNION (10-0)
When: Saturday at noon.
Where: Mount Union Stadium in Alliance.
Scouting report: Mount Union, riding college football's longest winning streak of 38 games, begins defense of its NCAA Division III national championship. The Purple Raiders, six-time national champions (1993-96-97-98, 2000-01) drew a bye for the first round last week. Wheaton advanced to the second round with a 42-14 romp past Alma last Saturday. Mount Union and Wheaton have played each other only once before, in the second round of the 1995 playoffs, with the Purple Raiders prevailing 40-14. MUC has won 92 of its last 93 games. The Purple Raiders are led by senior RB Dan Pugh, who set a school season rushing record (1,467 yards in 229 carries for a 6.4-yard average) and Ohio Athletic Conference touchdown mark (16 TDs) this season. Another MUC ace is senior QB Rob Adamson, whose favorite targets are senior TE Josh Liddell and junior WR Randell Knapp. Adamson has completed 85 of 140 passes for 1,478 yards and 20 TDs, with eight interceptions. Liddell has caught 29 passes for an average of 14.6 yards per catch, with three TDs. Knapp has caught 33 aerials for a 17.3-yard average and six TDs. Wheaton, which has won two of the last three College Conference of Illinois & amp; Wisconsin championships, is coached by Mike Swider, who recently was named CCIW Coach of the Year. The Thunder is led by QB Chad Bradley, who has passed for 2,067 yards on 155-for-242 and 14 TDs with 11 interceptions. Sophomore WR Brad Musso is the first Wheaton receiver to reach 1,000 yards, with 1,091 yards on 56 catches for 11 TDs. Senior WR Jonathan Wills has 45 catches for 12.4 yards a catch and one TD. The offensive line is anchored by junior James Hoxworth. Senior linebacker Justin Knapp leads the Thunder's defense. He was named CCIW Defensive Player of the Year. He has 95 tackles with 5.5 for losses. MUC's defense is keyed by senior end Matt Campbell with 73 hits, including a school-record 19 for losses, and nine sacks. Another MUC defensive ace is Stan Watson, a senior LB from Austintown Fitch with 59 tackles, including six for losses. Senior DB Chris Kern has 34 hits and four interceptions. Saturday's winner will play Dec. 7 in the third round against the winner of Saturday's second-round game between Wittenberg and Wabash.
Scouting report: Mount Union, riding college football's longest winning streak of 38 games, begins defense of its NCAA Division III national championship. The Purple Raiders, six-time national champions (1993-96-97-98, 2000-01) drew a bye for the first round last week. Wheaton advanced to the second round with a 42-14 romp past Alma last Saturday. Mount Union and Wheaton have played each other only once before, in the second round of the 1995 playoffs, with the Purple Raiders prevailing 40-14. MUC has won 92 of its last 93 games. The Purple Raiders are led by senior RB Dan Pugh, who set a school season rushing record (1,467 yards in 229 carries for a 6.4-yard average) and Ohio Athletic Conference touchdown mark (16 TDs) this season. Another MUC ace is senior QB Rob Adamson, whose favorite targets are senior TE Josh Liddell and junior WR Randell Knapp. Adamson has completed 85 of 140 passes for 1,478 yards and 20 TDs, with eight interceptions. Liddell has caught 29 passes for an average of 14.6 yards per catch, with three TDs. Knapp has caught 33 aerials for a 17.3-yard average and six TDs. Wheaton, which has won two of the last three College Conference of Illinois & amp; Wisconsin championships, is coached by Mike Swider, who recently was named CCIW Coach of the Year. The Thunder is led by QB Chad Bradley, who has passed for 2,067 yards on 155-for-242 and 14 TDs with 11 interceptions. Sophomore WR Brad Musso is the first Wheaton receiver to reach 1,000 yards, with 1,091 yards on 56 catches for 11 TDs. Senior WR Jonathan Wills has 45 catches for 12.4 yards a catch and one TD. The offensive line is anchored by junior James Hoxworth. Senior linebacker Justin Knapp leads the Thunder's defense. He was named CCIW Defensive Player of the Year. He has 95 tackles with 5.5 for losses. MUC's defense is keyed by senior end Matt Campbell with 73 hits, including a school-record 19 for losses, and nine sacks. Another MUC defensive ace is Stan Watson, a senior LB from Austintown Fitch with 59 tackles, including six for losses. Senior DB Chris Kern has 34 hits and four interceptions. Saturday's winner will play Dec. 7 in the third round against the winner of Saturday's second-round game between Wittenberg and Wabash.
Radio/TV: WDPN-AM 1310, WRMU-FM 91.1, WBNX TV-55 (tape delay) in Cleveland, shown at 11 p.m. Saturday; and WIVM TV-52 in Canton, replay at 1 p.m. Sunday.