COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Today's games

MOUNT UNION vs.WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER
When: 2 p.m.Where: Perkins Stadium, Whitewater, Wisc.Scouting report: The Purple Raiders and Whitewater will be meeting for the first time. Stan Watson, a senior ILB from Austintown Fitch, returns as a defensive leader as Mount Union begins its quest for a seventh NCAA Division III national championship, including its third in a row. Watson came up with 77 tackles last year, including nine for losses, to earn first-team honors on the All-Ohio Athletic Conference Team for the second straight year. Wisconsin-Whitewater was 5-5 last year.Radio: WDPN-AM 1310, WRMU-FM 91.1.
WESTMINSTER vs. WALSH
When: 1 p.m. Where: Burry Stadium, New Wilmington.Scouting report: Jim Chaney, a junior co-captain from Hubbard High, is in his first year as a starter at DE for the Titans. Last year, Chaney had 33 total tackles, including 25 solo stops, while forcing one fumble and recording one quarterback sack. Westminster embarks on its 108th season of football, and its first year as an official member of NCAA Division III after completing a three-year reclassification from NCAA Division II. Walsh is coming off a 7-3 record and the Mid-States Football Association co-championship.Radio-TV-Internet: WWNW-FM 88.9, WKST-AM 1200, WEXC-FM 107.1, Internet at www.nsnsports.com, WCN cable TV network (live and taped), Cable 9 and Adelphia Cable TV (live and taped, replay Sunday at 7:30 p.m.), WHLO-AM 640.
HIRAM vs. GROVE CITY
When: 1:30 p.m.Where: Charles A. Henry Field, Hiram.Scouting report: Several area players have starting roles with Grove City -- Todd Smargiasso, senior QB from Wilmington Area High; B.J. Arnold, sophomore C from Brookfield; Kyle Vuchak, senior DE from Howland; and Ross Trimmer, freshman FS from Hickory; while Phil Truitt is a freshman backup at OLB from West Branch. Arnold made All-PAC honorable mention as a freshman, while Vuchak was a special teams standout last year and blocked three kicks to tie the school single-season record. Returning to reinforce the Terriers are Tim DeMay (Brookfield), a junior WR who caught 16 passes for 126 yards as the No. 3 wide-out last season. Also encoring are S John Pascarella (Ursuline) and LB Jason Bastin (Hubbard), both senior three-year letter-winners who spearheaded last year's defense against the pass. Pascarella was second on the team in tackles with 46, including a team-high 34 solo hits; while Bastin had 35 tackles with three interceptions that tied for second on the team.Radio: WSAJ-FM 91.1.
THIEL vs. MALONE
When: 2 p.m.Where: Fawcett Stadium, Canton.Scouting report: Thiel's defense is led by All-American S Kennard Davis (Farrell), LB Robert Drake (Chaney) while the offense is headed by RB Justin Napotnik (Sharpsville). Davis had nine interceptions last year to tie for top honors in the nation for all NCAA divisions, while Drake led the Tomcats in tackles with 86. Napotnik was Thiel's top rusher with 480 yards in 100 carries and three TDs. Malone enjoys a 2-0 advantage in the series with Thiel.Radio-Internet: WNPQ-FM 95.9, WCER-AM 900, WANR-AM 1570, Internet at www.wnpqfm.com and www.nsnsports.com.
ALLEGHENY vs. BALDWIN-WALLACE
When: 1 p.m.Where: Robertson Field, Meadville, Pa.Scouting report: Joe Cowart (New Castle), a senior outside LB, heads the Gators' defense after leading the team in tackles last season as a strong safety. Cowart came up with 46.5 total tackles in 2001, including 34 unassisted stops, and recovered four fumbles. He also serves as the ball holder on placekicks. Ryan James, a junior from Kennedy Christian High and New Castle, is a backup at OL. John Snell is in his first season a B-W's coach.Radio: WMGM-AM 1490.
SLIPPERY ROCK vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
When: 1 p.m.Where: Roy Kidd Stadium, Richmond, Ky.Scouting report: Junior QB Jeff Valentino (6-4, 215, Sharon) will be making his first collegiate start after transferring to Slippery Rock from Kent State last spring. Juniors Mike Copper (Wilmington Area) and Cory Lemmon (New Castle) both are No. 2 on the depth chart at linebacker and receiver, respectively. Copper is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Colonels lost their season opener to Oregon State, 49-10, after going 8-2 last year.Radio-Internet: WJST-FM 92,1, Internet at www.wru.edu. or www.nsnssports.com.
-- Vindicator staff reports