Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wisconsin-Whitewater
(13-1) suffered its only loss while playing Division II
St. Cloud State.
By GENE MARRANO
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
SALEM, Va. — The numbers are formidable for Mount Union College.
UAn NCAA-record 215 playoff points amassed in four games even before today’s Division III title contest against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
UA D3 record for shutouts (7), points (757) and touchdowns — 99 and counting — since Division III recognizes playoff statistics with season totals.
“We’re an experienced team at a lot of positions,” said Mount coach Larry Kehres, now in his 22nd season. “And they have high expectations of themselves.”
Kehres salutes this team’s dedication to hard work in the offseason and their preparation during the 2007 campaign as big reasons for being back in Salem once again, on what is forecasted to be a cold and wet day.
“There is a lot of talent, but they earned their way to this game through hard work and great effort,” Kehres said.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (ESPN).
The nine-time overall D3 champion Purple Raiders, who won their first title in 1993, are back in southwestern Virginia looking for a third “three-peat” against UW-Wisconsin.
The Warhawks are the same team the Raiders have beaten in each of the last two Stagg Bowls.
It’s not like Wisconsin-Whitewater is Little Sisters of the Poor. Senior tailback Justin Beaver landed the 2007 Gagliardi Trophy as the top Division III player in the country and has twice gone over the 2,000-yard mark.
As for being crowned national champions, “hopefully the third time’s a charm for us,” said Beaver, one of only 17 backs in NCAA D3 history to cross the 5,000-yard mark.
He need look no further than the Mount Union sideline to find another — junior Nate Kmic.
“We know they’re going to be hungry,” said Kmic of Whitewater’s desire to win a title. “I’m sure they’re not too happy with the last two games played here.”
This is the first season that Salem Stadium will have an artificial turf surface much like the one the Purple Raiders play on at home. Kmic is glad to see that.
“All of the guys are pretty excited,” Kmic said. “We’re gonna play fast this week.”
The Warhawks (13-1) suffered their only loss while playing Division II St. Cloud State but otherwise rolled through the season and playoffs, scoring almost 33 points per game while giving up 13.4.
Quarterback Danny Jones threw for 2,348 yards and 22 TDs as the Warhawks won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crown and four playoff matches.
Then there is Mount Union’s offense: The Purple Raiders threw for 3901 yards and ran for 3775.
Quarterback Greg Micheli, the 2006 Stagg Bowl MVP after he entered the game for starter Mike Jorris early, teamed up with wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Bryson Davis for about half of his 3,280 passing yards.