Mount's defense keys win

The Raiders rolled to their 49th straight win, 35-7 over Capital.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ALLIANCE -- A goal-line stand by Mount Union College at its own 1-yard line thwarted a potential touchdown by Capital University late in the first quarter Saturday at Mount Union Stadium.
The Crusaders appeared to be on a crusade to end the Purple Raiders' 48-game winning streak, but Mount Union wouldn't allow that to happen.
Instead, the Purple Raiders denied Capital on four of its five tries to score in posting a 35-7 victory in the Ohio Athletic Conference game before 4,832 fans.
With his team behind 14-0, sophomore quarterback Rocky Pentello, who hit on 25-of-40 passes for 260 yards, marched Capital (6-1, 5-1) 82 yards in 10 plays to the Mount Union 1-yard line.
Tailback Greg Grant of the Crusaders was stopped by Jesse Wells and East Liverpool's Josh Ludwig for no gain.
Freshman running back Charlie Smith was tackled by sophomore Ross Watson of Fitch High also for no gain.
Fumble ends drive
The Purple Raiders' Wells then forced Pentello to fumble, and Johnny Josef recovered it for Mount Union, which took over on its own 2.
"We had an opportunity to cut the lead to 7, didn't do that and it hurt us," said Capital coach Jim Collins. "If we had scored on that drive instead of fumbling, that might have changed the outcome of the game."
The Purple Raiders took the opening kickoff and went 72 yards in 10 plays, with Drew Hanley catching a 4-yard TD strike from junior quarterback Zac Bruney.
Mount Union (7-0, 6-0) then capitalized on its first big break when sophomore defensive end Justen Stickley intercepted a Capital pass and returned it 30 yards for a TD.
"I read my keys and knew I was going to make that play," said Stickley. "Their tackle tried to chop me. I got my hands up and made that play.
"Our defense is challenged every week, but our coaches prepare us by working us hard from a physical standpoint so that we can be ready for whatever an opponent tries to do."
Led 21-0 at intermission
Brian Miller caught an 8-yard TD pass from Bruney in the second and the Purple Raiders held a 21-0 lead at intermission.
"The defensive play by Stickley and stopping them on that first drive, and getting that 21-0 lead in the second quarter, that was big," said Mount Union coach Larry Kehres.
Capital got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when Smith plunged a yard to complete an 11-play, 79-yard drive.
After the Crusaders got their only score, Mount came right back with a five-play, 79-yard drive, with wide receiver Randell Knapp catching a 21-yard TD strike from Bruney.
Bruney finished the scoring when he ran in from 11 yards out with 6:16 remaining.
Career high effort
Junior running back Rick Ciccone had a career-high 112 yards rushing on 23 carries. It was the first time this season that a Mount Union back gained 100 yards.
"They [Mount Union] are so strong and dominating on the offensive and defensive lines and that's where you win games," Collins said.
Watson was in on five solo tackles and assisted on another. Ludwig had a solo tackle and assisted on two others.
The Purple Raiders have won 90 consecutive regular season games and 81 straight in the OAC. They are now 116-1 in their last 117 regular season contests.