Sunday, August 26, 2007
Mount Union was tabbed to repeat as national champion by all the national publications.
BY ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ALLIANCE — Back in 2005, college football teams around Division III were starting to think that Mount Union was losing its touch. After all, the Purple Raiders had gone two straight seasons without winning a national title.
Through 2002, Mount had won six of the last seven championships to build its reputation as the dominant force in Division III. So when the 2003 and 2004 seasons ended with someone other than the Purple Raiders carrying away the trophy, some began to wonder if the gap was closing.
Strong again
But now as Mount Union heads into the 2007 season after winning titles in 2005 and 2006 and returning 14 starters from last year, there’s no doubt around the country that the Purple Raiders are still at the top of their game.
The Purple Raiders are tabbed to repeat as national champion by all the national publications and were recently predicted to win the Ohio Athletic Conference for the 16th consecutive year.
None of that is surprising when you return the 2006 Stagg Bowl MVP as your quarterback, the offensive player of year as your running back and an All-American receiver.
Probably the biggest problem coach Larry Kehres will have this season is trying to get enough touches for all his playmakers.
After splitting time under center in the beginning of his sophomore season, quarterback Greg Micheli won the job and threw for 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception. He also ran for 445 yards and nine scores.
Rusher returns
Junior Nate Kmic returns after a phenomenal sophomore campaign. He finished second in the nation in rushing, averaging 157.7 yards per contest. He piled up 2,365 total yards and scored 26 times. He was the D3football.com offensive player of the year.
As if those two weren’t enough, the Purple Raiders return deep threat Pierre Garcon at receiver. Despite battling the injury bug, he hauled in 67 receptions for 1,212 yards. He averaged 18.1 yards per grab and had eight catches for 40 yards or more.
Through the years, Mount Union teams favored either a stronger passing attack or a stronger running attack. But with so many weapons everywhere on the offensive side of the ball, the Purple Raiders should be as balanced as ever.
“We have the opportunity to attack teams both through the air and on the ground,” said Kehres. “It gives us the ability to have a balanced attack week in and week out.”
Offensive line
The offensive line returns three starters including senior Tim Reash, a Columbiana High grad. All-OAC lineman Eric Safran and Derek Blanchard will solidify the line. Blanchard is the first Mount Union player since 1994 to start every game since his freshman season.
Mount Union’s defense will have to work hard to avoid being overshadowed by the high-powered offense. But it has the players to get opponents’ attention. The Purple Raiders return their top two tacklers, in addition to first-team All-American safety Matt Kostelnik.
Linebackers Matt Rees and Tony DeRiggi will again plug up the middle after finishing one and two in tackles in 2006. In front of them will be senior linemen Nick Parr and Pat McCullough. That duo combined for 9.5 sacks last season.
Talent in secondary
The defensive secondary will be overflowing with talent. Kostelnik, who had five interceptions and scored four non-offensive touchdowns last year, will lead the unit.
Also back are all-OAC picks safety Nick Barren and cornerbacks Jonah Wilson and Daryl Ely. Junior corner Cameron Rose, who started in the 2005 Stagg Bowl, will return after missing the 2006 with an injury.
The kicking game will be solid again with Micheli returning as the Mount Union punter and the reliable Mike Zimmerman handling field goals and extra points. Zimmerman converted 84-of-86 PATs and 12-of-18 field goals last season.