Rowan plays tough early on

A costly roughing the punter penalty played a key role in the outcome.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ALLIANCE -- In earning a trip to its fifth NCAA Division III national championship game in six seasons, the Mount Union football team jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead.
It could have been a lot more, but for a stubborn Rowan defense that temporarily shut down Mount Union's high-powered offense.
In defeating Rowan 19-7 Saturday at Mount Union Stadium, the Profs kept the game close by blanking the Purple Raiders in the first quarter even though the Raiders had much better field position after some shaky punts.
On their initial drive, the Raiders gave the ball to freshman running back Nate Kmic seven straight times as they drove to the Profs' 27 yard line.
But on fourth-and-3, quarterback Mike Jorris' first pass fell incomplete.
On the second possession, Jorris was intercepted deep in Profs' territory, but the Raiders defense responded with a second three-and-out series.
Raiders defensive back Ryan Fehl captured a tip pass from Profs quarterback Joe Rankin and the Raiders ran off 10 plays to set up Mike Zimmerman's 39-yard field goal attempt.
Blocked kick attempt
But Keith Heimerl blocked the kick to keep the game scoreless.
After another three-and-out series by Rowan, the Raiders seized control after Aaron McCord's punt was caught by Scott Casto at the Rowan 39.
Moments later, Kmic slipped unnoticed out of the backfield to the end zone where Jorris hit him for a 30-yard touchdown pass and 7-0 lead.
"I had seen that the safeties were gone so I just ran to that spot," Kmic said of his improvisation. "Jorris scrambled around enough and found me."
Rowan coach Jay Accorsi said, "We kind of missed him in coverage and they capitalized on it."
The Raiders' next possession resulted in their only long scoring march and it was helped by a costly penalty.
Costly penalty
The Profs were penalized for roughing Mount Union punter Greg Micheli, giving the Raiders a spark.
"That was the turning point of the first half," Accorsi said. "It turned out to be a big play."
After Jorris hit Scott Campbell for an 18-yard gain into Rowan territory, Kmic broke loose for a 23-yard pickup.
Moments later, Kmic's broke through the center of the Profs' line for a 7-yard touchdown.
"Defensively, we did some great things and held them in check but it obviously wasn't enough," Accorsi said of the early going. "They wore us down.
Rowan tired at end
"For most of the day, we stood [our ground] north and south -- they really didn't have any big [gains.] But towards the end, we were a little tired and the game started to get a little out of hand and they started to rip a few off.
"We want to put pressure on them and get the ball upfield. In the first half and third quarter, we did a really good job of that, but we wore down," Accorsi said.
williams@vindy.com