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October 2003 News

Posted by Ric 10/31/03

I've added a number of audio highlights from Mount Union's 24-0 victory over Baldwin-Wallace earlier this season.  You can hear them here. 

Posted by Ric 10/30/03

Mount Union is ranked first again this week in the North Region of the NCAA Division III Football Committee's Regional Poll.  Baldwin-Wallace is third and Capital is fourth.  You can see this week's entire poll here.

I've also added a bunch of pictures taken by Carol & Gary McDonald from the sidelines on gameday to our stories of Mount Union's victories over John Carroll and Capital.  You can see the John Carroll game photos here and the Capital game photos here.

Posted by Ric 10/29/03

I've added a number of additional audio highlights to the site from Saturday's win over Capital.  As time allows I will add files of big plays from past Purple Raider games.  You can get to the new files here. 

Posted by Ric 10/28/03

Mount Union again received 45 of 46 first-place votes in this week's AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll to remain the number one team in Division III football.  Baldwin-Wallace remained in the 8th spot while Capital dropped six places to 23rd following its loss to the Purple Raiders.  John Carroll also received votes.  You can see the entire poll here.

Posted by Ric 10/27/03

Because of a large number of requests from Purple Raider fans from across the nation I'm going to start adding audio highlights of our radio broadcasts to this site.  I'm not really sure why I haven't done it before other than I just really didn't want to start this because I wasn't sure how it would merge with the site, but due to the requests I keep getting from those wanting it I've decided to start adding them.  The first one is a huge play from Saturday's game vs. Capital.  The Crusaders had third and goal at the Mount one... remember the play?  You can listen to it here.  There will be more audio highlights to come, so stay tuned.

Mount Union again received all 25 first-place votes in this week's D3Football.com Top 25, and remained a unanimous selection at number one.  Baldwin-Wallace held steady in the 7th spot, while Capital dropped only one place to 19th following its loss to the Purple Raiders.  John Carroll also received a few votes.  The D3Football.com Top 25 is here.

Also, the Mount Union College SID's office has posted a preview of this Saturday's game between Mount Union and Marietta.  You can read it here.

Posted by Ric 10/26/03

Mount Union's junior varsity football team defeated Thiel this afternoon 53-0 to remain perfect at 7-0 this year.  You can see the entire JV football schedule and results here.

I've also posted our game story from Dick Ross of the Purple Raiders victory over Capital yesterday at Mount Union Stadium.  You can read it here.  We'll have pictures later in the week.

Posted by Ric 10/25/03

Mount Union improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in OAC play with a 35-7 victory over previously unbeaten Capital this afternoon before 4,832 fans at Mount Union Stadium. 

The Purple Raiders jumped out to a quick 14-0 advantage on a Zac Bruney to Drew Hanley four-yard touchdown pass and a Justen Stickley 30-yard interception return for a touchdown less than nine minutes into the contest.

Bruney's second touchdown pass went to Brian Miller from eight-yards out to give the Purple and White a 21-0 halftime advantage.  Bruney added a third touchdown pass late in the third quarter on a 21-yard strike to Randell Knapp following a Capital score to make it 28-7 after three quarters.  The junior quarterback capped the scoring with an 11-yard scamper midway through the fourth stanza giving the Raiders a decisive 28-point victory. 

Mount Union had scoring drives of 72, 72, 79 and 75 yards in the game and finished with 408 total yards to Capital's 326 yards.  Bruney finished 12 of 21 for 173 yards passing and added 80 rushing yards on 12 carries.  Ricky Ciccone led all rushers with 112 yards on 23 tries.  Knapp led the Raiders with four catches totaling 54 yards.

Mount Union has now won 49 consecutive games, the longest current win streak in all of college football.  Next week the Purple Raiders travel to Marietta with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. at Don Drumm Field.

Posted by Ric 10/22/03

The NCAA has released a Division III football regional poll today for the first time since 1998.  The release of the weekly poll reverses a previous focus by the football committee away from regional polling.  The change came about due to a Division III-wide policy instituted this season.  The NCAA will now release a regional poll during the latter part of the season for all Division III team sports.

Mount Union is ranked first in the North Region in this year's initial poll, while fellow conference foe Capital is third and Baldwin-Wallace is fourth.  You can see this week's entire poll here.

Posted by Ric 10/21/03

Mount Union received 45 of 46 first-place votes in this week's Division III Coaches' Poll and remained the number one team in Division III football for a 37th consecutive poll.  Baldwin-Wallace moved up one spot to number eight, while Capital jumped four places to 17th.  John Carroll also received votes.  You can see the entire AFCA poll here.

Also, the Mount Union College Sports Information Director's office has previewed this Saturday's OAC match-up at Mount Union Stadium between the Purple Raiders and the Capital Crusaders.  You can read it here.

Posted by Ric 10/20/03

Mount Union's JV football team defeated Muskingum 52-9 this evening at Mount Union Stadium to improve to 6-0 on the season.  You can see the entire junior varsity football schedule and results here.

Also, Mount Union received all 25 first-place votes once again in this week's D3Football.com Top 25, and remains number one.  Baldwin-Wallace holds at 7th, Capital moves up four spots to 18th and John Carroll received a vote.  You can see the entire D3Football.com Top 25 is here.

Posted by Ric 10/19/03

I've posted our game story written by Dick Ross of Mount Union's win over John Carroll at Don Shula Stadium.  You can read it here.  We'll have pictures later in the week.

Posted by Ric 10/18/03

Mount Union defeated John Carroll this afternoon at Don Shula Stadium 34-16, improving to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play. 

The Purple Raiders opened up a 20-0 first half lead before the Blue Streaks pulled to within 20-10 late in the third quarter.  Following a Mount Union touchdown early in the fourth period, senior free safety Matt Caponi intercepted a pass and returned it 42-yards for a score to put the game away.

The Raiders were led by senior fullback Brian Miller, who caught five passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns, and added seven carries for 25 yards.  Senior wide receiver Nick Sirianni caught six passes for 72 yards and a score, while junior tailback Ricky Ciccone led the ground game with 71 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.  Junior quarterback Zac Bruney completed 15 of 24 passes for  227 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception.

A number of Raiders sustained injuries during the contest, including senior quarterback Jesse Burghardt, junior running back Jeff Strauch, senior strong safety Andrew Doak, and senior offensive lineman George Momirovic.  None of the injuries were thought to be serious following the game with further tests upcoming this week.

With the win, Mount Union has won 48 consecutive games, the longest current win streak in all of college football.  Next week the Purple Raiders host  the Capital Crusaders at Mount Union Stadium with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m.  Both teams enter the contest unbeaten on the season.

Posted by Ric 10/16/03

Mount Union's OAC clash against John Carroll this weekend will be televised on College Sports Television (CSTV), a satellite channel, live at 1:30 p.m.  Following the game during their Saturday Scoreboard show at 5:30 p.m., they will rebroadcast "Dog Days," a half-hour piece on the Purple Raiders' summer two-a-day practices.  Check your satellite TV guide for details.

Posted by Ric 10/15/03

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

Posted by Ric 10/14/03

Mount Union received 45 of 46 first-place votes in this week's Division III Coaches' Poll and remained the number one team in Division III football for the 36th consecutive poll.  Baldwin-Wallace moved into the top ten at number nine, while Capital jumped three places to 21st.  John Carroll also received votes.  You can see the entire AFCA poll here.

Also, Mount Union's JV football team defeated Washington & Jefferson 40-14 last night at Mount Union Stadium.  The young Purple Raiders led 40-0 at halftime in a dominant performance against the young Presidents.  You can see the entire junior varsity football schedule and results here.

Posted by Ric 10/13/03

Mount Union received all 25 first-place votes once again in this week's D3Football.com Top 25, and remains number one.  Baldwin-Wallace moved up one spot to 7th, while Capital jumped to places to 22nd.  John Carroll also received votes.  The entire D3Football.com Top 25 is here.

Also, the Mount Union College SID's office has previewed this Saturday's OAC match-up between the Purple Raiders and the Blue Streaks at John Carroll.  You can read it here.

Posted by Ric 10/12/03

I've posted our game story by Dick Ross of the Purple Raiders victory over the Student Princes. You can read it here.  We'll add pictures to the story later in the week.

Posted by Ric 10/11/03

Mount Union defeated Heidelberg 68-13 this afternoon in Tiffin, Ohio to improve to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. 

The Purple Raiders' scoreless string of 13 quarters ended as the Student Princes posted 10 first quarter points, scoring on each of its first two possessions in the game.  Heidelberg gained 147 in those first two possessions ten minutes into the contest, and another 156 yards over the remainder of the game to finish with 303 total yards.  Mount Union finished with 558 total yards and broke the game open with 37 second quarter points to lead 51-10 at the half.

The Raiders offense, defense and special teams all posted points in the game as Nick Sirianni caught three touchdown passes and Randell Knapp added one.  Ricky Ciccone and Michael Deitrick each rushed for scores, while Tony Buckler returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown.  Jason Cavell returned a punt for a touchdown for the second consecutive week and Chad Teague kicked three field goals while George Wilders added one.  Jesse Burghardt and Zac Bruney each threw two touchdown passes.

Mount Union has now won 47 consecutive games, the longest current win streak in all of college football.  Next week the Purple Raider travel to University Heights to take on John Carroll with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. from Don Shula Stadium.

Posted by Ric 10/9/03

The start time for this week's junior varsity football contest vs. Washington & Jefferson has been changed.  Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. from Mount Union Stadium this Monday evening.  You can see the entire JV football schedule here.

Posted by Ric 10/8/03

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

Posted by Ric 10/7/03

Mount Union received 45 of 46 first-place votes in the new AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll, and remained the number one team in Division III football.  Baldwin-Wallace shot up six spots to 11th, while Capital debuts in the 24th spot.  John Carroll also received votes.  You can see the entire poll here.

Also, Mount Union's junior varsity football team defeated Baldwin-Wallace last night 16-13 in Berea to stay perfect on the season at 4-0.  The young Raiders trailed 13-9 in the second half before scoring to take the lead and then holding off the young Jackets for the victory. 

The college has also announced it has rescheduled the junior varsity contest at Otterbein that was postponed earlier in the year.  It will be played on Monday, November 10th in Westerville, Ohio, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m.  You can see the entire JV football schedule and results here.

Posted by Ric 10/6/03

Mount Union again received all 25 first-place votes and remains the number one team in Division III football according to the  D3Football.com Top 25, released today.  Baldwin-Wallace moved up two spots to 8th, while Capital checked in at number 24.  John Carroll and Muskingum also received votes.  The entire D3Football.com Top 25 is here.

Also, the Mount Union College Sports Information Director's office has posted a preview of this Saturday's OAC match-up between the Purple Raiders and the Student Princes at Heidelbeg.  You can read it here.

Posted by Ric 10/5/03

I've posted our game story written by Dick Ross of Mount Union's victory over Otterbein. You can get to it here.  We'll have pictures to add to the story later in the week.

Posted by Ric 10/4/03

Mount Union improved to 4-0 this afternoon with a 66-0 victory over Otterbein in front of 4732 fans at Mount Union Stadium.  The Purple Raiders posted its third consecutive shutout on the season and have not allowed a point in 13 straight quarters dating back to the third quarter of the opener vs. Wis-Whitewater.  The Raiders held quarter leads of 14-0 after one, 42-0 at halftime and 56-0 through three quarters before finishing off with a 66-point win.

Mount Union displayed a balanced offense, ringing up 303 rushing yards and 238 passing yards for 541 total yards of offense, while the defense limited the Cardinals to minus one yard rushing and just 87 total yards in the contest.

The Purple Raiders have now won 46 consecutive games, the longest current win streak in all of college football.  Mount Union travels to Tiffin, Ohio next week to take on Heidelberg with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. at Frost-Kalnow Stadium.

Posted by Ric 10/1/03

I've added some pictures from Carol & Gary McDonald taken on the sidelines during Mount Union's victory over Muskingum to our game story.  You can see them here.