NOTEBOOK MOUNT UNION VS. ROWAN

Series: With Saturday's victory, Mount Union has a 4-1 edge over the Profs. Three of the victories were in the Division III championship games of 1993, 1996 and 1998. The loss came in a semifinal playoff game in 1999 when the Raiders were defeated on their home field, 24-17, in overtime. "As difficult a loss for us as that was in '99, I can always appreciate a great win for another program," Mount Union coach Larry Kehres said. "It was a tough loss, but we responded to it." MUC won championship games in 2000, 2001 and 2002. "It is sort of a rivalry," Kehres said, "but most people associate rivalries with playing every year."One starter returns: Mount Union's last appearance in the championship game was two years ago. The Raiders lost, 24-6, to Saint John's (Minn.) This year's team has one starter from that 2003 game -- senior cornerback Ross Watson, a graduate of Austintown Fitch.Motivation: Mount Union defensive end Justen Stickley said losing last year to Mary Hardin-Baylor (38-35) in the semifinal game taught a lesson to this year's seniors. "A year ago today roughly, we were in the same spot," Stickley said of playing for a title game berth. "We saw the reaction of last year's seniors. They were so disappointed, so we said we don't want to feel that, we don't want to disappoint our fans -- we want to walk off this field with our heads held high."Key loss: Mount Union's regular season loss came on Oct. 22 against Ohio Northern (21-14) in Alliance. Kehres said the team has responded well to the unusual experience of a defeat. "Before the season, I said to a pretty close friend that this year we might lose a game to try and get where we want to go. And we have handled that loss."Tackles record: Linebacker Mike Gibbons made nine tackles for a season total of 144, breaking the record of Jason Hall (140) set in 1998. Gibbons downplayed the mark. "He did it in 10 games and I did it in 14, so it doesn't mean as much," Gibbons said.Tickets: Fans wishing to purchase tickets for Saturday's Stagg Bowl Game in Salem, Va., may call 1-888-VASALEM weekdays between 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Series: With Saturday's victory, Mount Union has a 4-1 edge over the Profs. Three of the victories were in the Division III championship games of 1993, 1996 and 1998. The loss came in a semifinal playoff game in 1999 when the Raiders were defeated on their home field, 24-17, in overtime. "As difficult a loss for us as that was in '99, I can always appreciate a great win for another program," Mount Union coach Larry Kehres said. "It was a tough loss, but we responded to it." MUC won championship games in 2000, 2001 and 2002. "It is sort of a rivalry," Kehres said, "but most people associate rivalries with playing every year."One starter returns: Mount Union's last appearance in the championship game was two years ago. The Raiders lost, 24-6, to Saint John's (Minn.) This year's team has one starter from that 2003 game -- senior cornerback Ross Watson, a graduate of Austintown Fitch.Motivation: Mount Union defensive end Justen Stickley said losing last year to Mary Hardin-Baylor (38-35) in the semifinal game taught a lesson to this year's seniors. "A year ago today roughly, we were in the same spot," Stickley said of playing for a title game berth. "We saw the reaction of last year's seniors. They were so disappointed, so we said we don't want to feel that, we don't want to disappoint our fans -- we want to walk off this field with our heads held high."Key loss: Mount Union's regular season loss came on Oct. 22 against Ohio Northern (21-14) in Alliance. Kehres said the team has responded well to the unusual experience of a defeat. "Before the season, I said to a pretty close friend that this year we might lose a game to try and get where we want to go. And we have handled that loss."Tackles record: Linebacker Mike Gibbons made nine tackles for a season total of 144, breaking the record of Jason Hall (140) set in 1998. Gibbons downplayed the mark. "He did it in 10 games and I did it in 14, so it doesn't mean as much," Gibbons said.Tickets: Fans wishing to purchase tickets for Saturday's Stagg Bowl Game in Salem, Va., may call 1-888-VASALEM weekdays between 10 a.m.-5 p.m.