DIVISION III PLAYOFFS Mount Union nearing top again

The Purple Raiders are bidding for their eighth national championship.
ALLIANCE -- Mount Union continues its quest for an eighth Division III national championship today, when the Purple Raiders (12-0) play host to Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-1) at noon in a national semifinal.
The Crusaders, of the American Southwest Conference, have advanced in the postseason with road victories over Trinity (Texas) 32-13, Hardin-Simmons (Texas) 42-28 and Washington & amp; Jefferson 52-16.
The Purple Raiders, who are making their 10th consecutive trip to the semifinals and 13th consecutive post-season appearance overall, own victories over Wheaton (Ill.) 26-7 and Carthage (Wisc.) 38-20.
Mount Union quarterback Zac Bruney was 10-of-17 for 230 yards and three touchdowns passing, and added 44 yards rushing and two scores against Carthage. The five-touchdown performance was a career best for Bruney. Middle linebacker Shaun Spisak anchored the defense with 17 hits and a forced fumble, while cornerback Ross Watson, a graduate of Austintown Fitch High, grabbed a key interception.
Lots of offensive weapons
Mary Hardin-Baylor's Jon Miller had six receptions for 133 yards and three total touchdowns against Washington & amp; Jefferson. He returned two punts for scores. Running back Justin Bryson has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game this season, and set the conference's single season record of 1,751 yards this year.
Quarterbacks Josh Welch and Andy Padron have combined for 2,010 yards and 25 touchdown passes, while Bryson is joined in the backfield by Freddie Rollins, who has 1,017 rushing yards and 12 TDs.
Defensively, the Crusaders are led by linebackers Bret Page, Ryan McCabe and Keith Zunker.
Bruney has thrown for 2,471 yards and 29 touchdowns this year. Jason Cavell (32 receptions), Rick Ciconne (29) and Drew Hanley (27) are the leading receivers. Jeff Strauch (1,002 yards) and Ciconne (768) are the leading rushers.
Defensively, the Purple Raiders are paced by Spisak (114 hits), outside linebacker Mike Gibbons, safety Jesse Clum, tackle Jesse Wells and end Justen Stickley.
Mary-Hardin Baylor averages 359.1 yards rushing and 154.4 yards passing per game (513.5 total). They allow 98.9 yards rushing and 253.5 yards passing per contest (352.4 total). The Crusaders average 49.8 points per contest while allowing 21.1 points per game.
Mount Union averages 250.7 yards rushing and 215.8 yards passing per game (466.4 total). Defensively, they allow 61.9 yards rushing and 140.0 yards passing per game (201.9 total). The Purple Raiders average 42.7 points per game while allowing 8.7 points per contest.
The Purple Raiders have won 121 of their last 123 games. Mount Union holds the NCAA's two longest consecutive win streaks -- 55 games from 2000-2003 and 54 games from 1996-99. The Raiders ended 2004 with a 104-game regular season win streak.
Saturday's game will be broadcast on WRMU-FM (91.1) and WDPN-AM (1310).