Mount Union gets another shot at Whitewater

Mount Union gets another shot at Whitewater

By TIM WARSINSKEY

The Plain Dealer

ALLIANCE

Two years ago, when Wisconsin-Whitewater clobbered Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl by 38 points, the Purple Raiders were physically dominated.

Whitewater was bigger, stronger, faster and on a different level against a young Mount Union team.

Mount vowed to “man up” and get to that level.

The Purple Raiders made up significant ground last year, but still did not have the upper hand in the trenches or the scoreboard. They also were doomed by five turnovers in a 43-34 Stagg Bowl loss to Whitewater.

On Saturday, the struggle continues, albeit a week earlier than usual.

No. 5 Whitewater (12-1) plays No. 1 Mount Union (13-0) in a Division III national semifinal at noon in Mount Union Stadium.

The two teams have played nine times in the postseason — all in the Stagg Bowl national championship game. Whitewater won six of those games.

There is little doubt — on either side — that once again this game will come down to whether Mount Union finally can get the upper hand on the offensive and defensive lines. It is a tall order, but the Purple Raiders appear prepared.

“Losing two straight Stagg Bowls to the same team will make you want to work harder in the off-season, no doubt,” said defensive lineman Tom Lally of Fairview Park, who started in both losses, as well Mount Union’s 2012 Stagg Bowl win against St. Thomas. “A lot D-linemen and O-linemen stayed all summer, trying to get better.”

Whitewater returned all but one starter on the offensive line that averages 6-3, 294 pounds. Three starters were named all-region this week: right tackle Tony Koepnick (6-3, 310), right guard Austin Jones (6-3, 283) and center Spencer Shier (6-4, 310).

“They are the heartbeat of our team,” Whitewater coach Kevin Bullis said. They set up a balanced offense that averages 231.9 rushing and 215.9 passing yards per game.

Running back Jordan Ratliffe is seventh in the nation in rushing yards (1,615) and touchdowns (23), and averages 6.2 yards per carry. He has four consecutive 100-yard games. He had 116 yards in last year’s Stagg Bowl.

The offensive line has allowed just 1.23 sacks per game.

Lally has 17 sacks (1.31 per game), which ranks fourth in the nation, on a defense that far and away leads the nation with 69 sacks (4.61 per game). The Purple Raiders have 25 sacks in three playoff games. Lally (6-2, 260) is the North Region Defensive Player of the Year.

“That young man is crazy fast and athletic,” Bullis said. “He has a great nose for the ball. Whoever he lines up on is going to have his hands full.

“The piece that allows him to play so well is the other 10 guys on the field.”

Defensive end Mike Furda, linebackers Hank Spencer and Jonathan Gonell, safety Alex Kocheff and defensive back Tre Jones were named all-region.

In the other trench, Mount Union junior center Mitch Doraty and tackle Michael Frank of Eastlake were all-region and lead a unit that is averaging 564 yards and 55 points per game. The primary weapons of late have been workhorse running back Logan Nemeth, who has both power and speed, and vastly improved quarterback Taurice Scott. Combined, they accounted for 548 yards and seven touchdowns against Wesley.

“I love getting out in front of Logan,” Frank said. “It’s all about getting downhill. When you see him getting out front, you want to get the next block that much more for him.

“Across the entire offensive scheme, when you have Taurice, Logan, [tailback] B.J. Mitchell and [wideout] Roman [Namdar], you want to block forever for them.”