Mount Union advances in D3

Staff report

ALLIANCE

Backup running back Blair Skilliter rushed for a career-high 78 yards and scored a touchdown to lead No. 2-ranked Mount Union to a 30-10 victory over No. 25 Centre (Ky.) in the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs on Saturday at Mount Union Stadium.

The Purple Raiders (12-0) advanced to the tournament quarterfinals for the 20th consecutive season and will play host to No. 9 Wabash (12-0) on Dec. 3 at noon.

Jake Simon also rushed for a score and quarterback Matt Piloto threw for two scores to lead the Mount Union offense.

Charles Dieuseul had a season-best 12 tackles along with 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble to lead the Mount Union defense, which held Centre to its lowest scoring and fewest yards (219) this season.

Mount Union receiver Jasper Collins returned after missing the last four games and went over a defender to catch an 11-yard touchdown pass that capped a 97-yard scoring drive and give the Raiders a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Mount Union extended the lead to 14-0 on Skilliter’s 2-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. On the next drive, Centre called for a holding penalty in the end zone which resulted in a safety and made the score 16-0.

Centre (9-2)’s Jordan Gay kicked a 47-yard field goal just before halftime and the Colonels took the opening possesion of the second half 63 yards on seven plays. Quarterback Tyler Osterman hit brother Jason Osterman on a 17-yard touchdown pass to get make it 16-10.

But the Raiders answered with Piloto’s 22-yard TD pass to Brandon Brown and a 7-yard scoring run by Simon.