Purple Raiders to face Albright

STAFF REPORT

ALLIANCE — Another new opponent will challenge Mount Union College in the NCAA Division III football playoffs on Saturday.

Once-beaten Albright College (11-1) of the Middle Atlantic Conference will take on the defending national champion Purple Raiders (12-0) at noon at Mount Union Stadium.

It’s the quarterfinal round of the postseason, with the winner advancing to a national semifinal against either Wesley (Del.) or Johns Hopkins (Md.).

That is expected to be the Purple Raiders, who have won 27 straight games and played for a national championship in 11 of the last 13 seasons.

Mount Union has outscored two playoff opponents 117-14, including a 62-14 win over Montclair (N.J.) State last Saturday.

Albright, meanwhile, has defeated Alfred (N.Y.) 35-25 and MAC rival Delaware Valley (Pa.) 27-3 in the playoffs.

Last weekend’s win avenged Albright’s 45-16 loss to Delaware Valley on Nov. 7.

Directing the Mount Union attack is senior quarterback Kurt Rocci, who has completed 191 of 273 passes for 3,208 yards and 36 touchdowns.

His top receiver is senior Cecil Shorts, with 80 catches for 1,474 yards and 16 TDs. Vince Petruziello and A.J. Claycomb have combined for 93 receptions for 1,243 yards and 10 scores.

Terrance Morring and Scott Panchik are 1-2 in rushing, though Panchik left last week’s game in the first quarter with an injury.

Morring has rushed for 942 yards and 12 scores, while Panchik has 727 yards and 13 TDs.

Defensively, Judd Lutz has 80 tackles to lead Mount Union, while linebacker Joe Millings has 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Alex Ferrera leads the Purple Raiders with four interceptions.

Albright quarterback Tanner Kelly was named the MAC offensive player of the year and will direct the Lions’ attack.

Kelly has completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,823 yards and 21 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He is also Albright’s second-leading rusher with 359 yards and six TDs.

Sophomore Josan Holmes leads the Lions with 521 rushing yards and 10 TDs, while Nate Romig, a senior, has 86 catches for 1,276 yards and 12 scores.

Defensively, Albright is led by senior free safety Brendan Bresnahan, who has 77 tackles and three interceptions. Senior linebacker Dave Harig has 71 tackles and sophomore defensive lineman Alvin Thoms has 10 sacks and two forced fumbles. Senior defensive back Brett Gaul has 50 tackles and leads Albright with four interceptions.