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November 2002 News

Posted by Ric 11/30/02

 
Mount Union defeated Wheaton this afternoon 42-21 at Mount Union Stadium in second round playoff action.

Running back Dan Pugh ran for 161 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns against the vaunted Thunder rush defense, and also returned a kickoff 91 yards for a fourth score. 

Specials teams were big for the Purple Raiders.  Along with Pugh's kickoff return, Johnny Josef blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Chris Kern for a touchdown, and Jason Cavell had two big punt returns totaling 70 yards to give Mount Union good field position to start drives. 

Quarterback Rob Adamson completed 15 of 28 passes for 265 yards, and threw a touchdown pass to wideout Randell Knapp.  Knapp finished with a game high seven receptions for 133 yards and the one score.

With the win, Mount Union extends college football's longest current winning streak to 39 games.  The Purple Raiders will face the Wabash Little Giants next Saturday at Mount Union Stadium in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs with kickoff set of 12:00 noon.

Posted by Ric 11/27/02

 
Mount Union's Dan Pugh, the leading scorer in NCAA Division III football this season, is one of 10 finalists for the 10th annual Gagliardi Trophy.

The award, presented to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service.  The award program is sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and conducted by the J-Club of St. John's (MN).  This year's winner will be presented in Salem, VA, on Thursday, December 19th, at a luncheon kicking off festivities for the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, which will be played there on Saturday, December 21st.

The 10 finalists along with Pugh are: Jeremy Boyce, Trinity (TX); Ed Cracchiolo, FDU-Florham; Blake Elliott, St. John's (MN); Andrew Hilliard, St. Thomas; Dan Pincelli, Hartwick; Jamie Spielman, Wis-Stout; Chris Sullivan, Washington & Lee; Craig Swanson, Hobart; and Steven Wilson, King’s (PA).

The Gagliardi Trophy winner is determined by a 30-member national selection committee, which includes college coaches, former athletes, college administrators, business leaders and members of the media.

Three Purple Raider football players have previously won the trophy... Chuck Moore (2001), Bill Borchert (1997) and Jim Ballard (1993).

Posted by Ric 11/26/02

 
Three Purple Raider football players were honored with 2002 Ohio Athletic Conference Special Awards.

Senior running back Dan Pugh was chosen as the Mike Gregory Award winner as the conference's best offensive back, senior defensive end Matt Campbell was named the Paul Hoernemann Award winner as the best defensive lineman in the conference, and senior cornerback Chris Kern received the Lee J. Tressel Award as the OAC's best defensive back.  Campbell and Kern received these awards for the second straight year.

In addition, 17 Mount Union players were named to the 2002 All-OAC Team, including 10 first-team selections.

Those named to the first-team offense include senior running back Dan Pugh, junior wide receiver Randell Knapp, senior tight end Josh Liddell, senior offensive lineman Justin Coston and junior offensive lineman Larry Kinnard and Brent Miller.

Named first-team defense were senior defensive end Matt Campbell, senior linebacker Stan Watson and senior defensive backs Dustin Blake and Chris Kern. 

Campbell, Pugh, Kern and Watson are two-time All-OAC First-Team selections.

Second-team selections include senior defensive back Matt Sotcan, senior defensive lineman Jeff Knoblauch, junior defensive lineman Antoine Dillard, junior offensive lineman Bob Bradley and sophomore place kicker Chad Teague.

Honorable Mention honorees include senior defensive end Chris Carter and junior defensive back Matt Caponi.   

Posted by Ric 11/25/02

 
The Mount Union College Sports Information Director's office has posted a preview of this weekend's second round playoff match-up between the Purple Raiders and the Wheaton Thunder.  You can read it here.

Posted by Ric 11/24/02

 
The final section of the website I've been trying to complete is now finished and that is the Playoff Seasons section in the left menu of the main page.  There are game recaps and scoring summaries for each playoff season and pictures for many of the years from Bill Gough.  This was one of the sections Larry Faith did a lot of work on.  The last story he wrote for the site is the 1999 Playoff Season recap.

Posted by Ric 11/23/02

 
Mount Union will host Wheaton (IL) next Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs. Wheaton defeated Alma 42-14 today to advance to next weekend's game.  Kickoff is set for 12:00 noon at Mount Union Stadium. 

The Purple Raiders and Thunder have played once in the history of the two schools.  Mount Union defeated Wheaton 40-14 during the 1995 playoffs in quarterfinal action at Mount Union Stadium.  That game was tied 14-14 in the third quarter before the Purple Raiders outscored the Thunder 26-0 over the final 25 minutes.

Posted by Ric 11/20/02

 
I've added a number of pictures taken by Bill Gough from the sidelines during Mount Union's regular season ending victory over Wilmington to our game story.  You can see them here.

Posted by Ric 11/19/02

 
The tenth 2002 AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll was released today.  Mount Union ends the regular season number one, receiving 47 out of 49 first place votes.  Wheaton is ranked 12th, while Alma is ranked 18th.  The Purple Raiders will face the winner of the Thunder/Scots match-up in the second round at Mount Union Stadium on November 30th.  You can see the entire poll here.

Posted by Ric 11/17/02

 
Mount Union received a number one seed in the 2002 Division III playoffs and will have a first round bye, it was announced today.  The Purple Raiders will begin defense of its national championship in a second round contest on November 30th at Mount Union Stadium against the winner of this Saturday's Alma/Wheaton first round match-up.  All playoff games at Mount Union Stadium will begin at noon.  You can see the full 2002 Division III playoff bracket here.

I've added Dick Ross's game story of Mount Union's regular season ending win over Wilmington yesterday.  You can read it here.  We'll add game pictures later this week.

Posted by Ric 11/16/02

Mount Union scored on eight of nine first half possessions  to open up a 56-0 halftime lead, and went on to defeat Wilmington 62-0 today to finish the 2002 regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and 9-0 mark in Ohio Athletic Conference play. 

It's the eighth straight season in which the Purple Raiders have posted a perfect 10-0 record.  Mount Union has won 11th consecutive OAC championships, and are football conference champions for the 14th time in school history. 

Running back Dan Pugh rushed for 205 yards on 13 carries, caught three passes for 27 yards and added 69 yards on a kickoff return to total 301 all purpose yards against the Quakers.  Pugh scored four times, on runs of 2, 26 and 45 yards, and on 16-yard reception from quarterback Rob Adamson.

Adamson completed six of seven passes in the game for three touchdowns and no interceptions.  His other two touchdown passes went to wide receiver Derrick Leach, from 28 and 76 yards.  Leach finished with two catches totaling 104 yards and the two scores.

With the win, Mount Union extends college football's longest current winning streak to 38 games.  The Purple Raiders are now set to defend its national championship and will find out the playoff schedule tomorrow when the NCAA announces the 2002 Division III football playoff brackets.

Posted by Ric 11/15/02

Mount Union defensive end Matt Campbell and tight end Josh Liddell have been named to the Verizon Football District IV First-Team All-Academic Team.  The Verizon All-Academic Football Team is selected by sports information directors from across the country.  First-Team All-District honorees are forwarded for Academic All-American consideration.  

Posted by Ric 11/14/02

Family members of Purple Raider football players, coaches and cheerleaders are encouraged to join the cheerleaders in doing the first set of pushups immediately following the first Mount Union score this Saturday.  Those interested in joining the cheerleaders should enter the track from the gates on the covered stands side immediately following the first score. 

The cheerleaders would also like to thank all the Purple Raider fans that joined them for Service Day pushups and for contributing over $300 for the Salvation Army.

Posted by Ric 11/13/02

I've added a number of pictures to our game story of Mount Union's victory over Ohio Northern.  The photos were taken from the sidelines by Carol & Gary McDonald during the contest.  You can see them here.

Mount Union placed six players on the 2002 Academic All-OAC Football Team.  Purple Raiders' named to the First-Team include defensive end Matt Campbell, wide receiver Randell Knapp, tight end Josh Liddell and running back Dan Pugh.  Second-Team selections include strong safety Dustin Blake and quarterback Zac Bruney.  Congratulations!

Posted by Ric 11/12/02

With one week remaining in the regular season, Mount Union remained number one in the AFCA Division III Coaches’ Poll released today.  The Purple Raiders received 47 of 49 first place votes.  John Carroll moved up one spot to 12th in this weeks poll, while Baldwin-Wallace and Capital received votes.  You can see the entire poll here.

Posted by Ric 11/11/02

 
The Mount Union College SID's office has previewed this Saturday's regular season finale between Mount Union and Wilmington at Mount Union Stadium.  You can read it here.

I've added Dick Ross's game story of Mount Union's victory over Ohio Athletic Conference rival Ohio Northern.  You can read what he has to say here.  We'll have game photographs to add later in the week.

Posted by Ric 11/9/02

Mount Union secured at least a share of its 11th straight, and 14th overall, Ohio Athletic Conference football championship with a 34-24 victory over Ohio Northern this afternoon in Ada, Ohio. 

The Purple Raiders led 13-3 at halftime and opened up a 34-10 fourth quarter lead before two Polar Bears' touchdowns narrowed the gap to a 10 point final.

Running back Dan Pugh rushed for 172 yards on 37 carries and added five receptions for 80 yards, scoring three times, twice on the ground and once through the air.

Wide receiver Randell Knapp set personal bests with 10 receptions and 158 receiving yards and tight end Josh Liddell had four receptions for 64 yards.  Each also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Rob Adamson, who completed 17 of 31 passes for 281 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

With the win, Mount Union extends college football's longest current winning streak to 37 games.  Next week the Purple Raiders take on the Wilmington Quakers in the regular season finale.  Kickoff from Mount Union Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.

Posted by Ric 11/6/02

 
I've added a number of pictures taken from the sidelines by Carol & Gary McDonald during Mount Union's victory over Marietta to our game story. You can see them here. 

Posted by Ric 11/5/02

While there was little change at the top, four teams moved into the bottom of the AFCA Division III Coaches’ Poll this week.  Mount Union received 48 of 49 first place votes and remained number one in the poll, released today.  John Carroll is again number 13, while Baldwin-Wallace received votes as well.  You can see the entire poll here.

Posted by Ric 11/4/02

Mount Union's JV football team wrapped up its season tonight with an impressive 45-7 victory over John Carroll at Mount Union Stadium.  The Purple Raiders' junior varsity squad finished the 2002 season with a perfect 7-0 record.  You can see all the team's results here.

The Mount Union College Sports Information Director's office has posted a preview of this Saturday's Ohio Athletic Conference match-up for between Mount Union and Ohio Northern in Ada.  You can read it here.

Posted by Ric 11/3/02

 
I've added Dick Ross's game story of Mount Union's victory over Marietta yesterday at Mount Union Stadium.  You can read it here.  We'll have game pictures later in the week.

Posted by Ric 11/2/02

Mount Union improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference play today with a victory over the visiting Marietta Pioneers at Mount Union Stadium.  The Purple Raiders jumped out to a 34-3 halftime advantage, and cruised to the 46 point win.

Mount Union played four quarterbacks in the contest, led by Rob Adamson, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. 

Wide receiver Randell Knapp led all receivers with 74 yards on five catches and a touchdown, and added a 78-yard kickoff return for a score as well.  Tight end Josh Liddell and running back Dan Pugh also recorded touchdown receptions. 

Pugh added a rushing touchdown and has now tallied an OAC best 19 touchdowns this season.  He had 130 rushing yards on 15 carries in the game and has rushed for 1,090 yards this year.  Rick Ciccone, Vince Ilacqua and Jeff Strauch added touchdown runs for Mount Union.

Defensive tackle Josh Ludwig, filling in for the injured Jeff Knoblauch, recorded eight tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss.  He also was on the receiving end of a two-point conversion after a low snap on the play. 

The Purple Raiders had 637 total yards in the game, while limiting the Pioneers to just 124 total yards. 

With the win, Mount Union extends college football's longest current winning streak to 36 games.  Next week the Purple Raiders travel to Ohio Northern to take on the Polar Bears with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m.

Mount Union College, in coordination with the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), will be featuring Service Day this Saturday when the Purple Raiders play Marietta in football at Mount Union Stadium.