Mount Union 70, Widener 30
Dec 09, 2000
ALLIANCE, Ohio — Chuck Moore broke open two long runs in the third quarter, sparking a 35-0 run that helped Mount Union roll past Widener 70-30 in the Division III playoff semifinals. Mount Union set a school record for points scored in a playoff game. Dec 09, 2000
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Widener
Mount Union held a 35-13 lead early in the second quarter before Widener scored the final 10 points in the quarter to cut the deficit to 35-23 at half. The Purple Raiders responded by scoring 35 consecutive points in the second half. Moore took the second play from scrimmage in the second half 52 yards for a score, then broke loose for a 35-yarder four minutes later to give the Purple Raiders a 49-23 lead.
Widener struck first, scoring on a 63-yard bomb from senior quarterback Mike Granato to junior wideout Mike Coleman, putting the Pioneers on the board just 20 seconds into the contest. But Moore returned the ensuing kickoff 69 yards to the Widener 14-yard line, setting up a pass from Gary Smeck to Adam Marino on the next play, tying the game at seven just 47 seconds into the first quarter.
Widener (12-2) answered with a sustained drive, pushing 62 yards in nine plays, capped by an 8-yard pass to Jim Jones. But Paul Ragan's extra-point attempt was blocked, starting a downward spiral for the Pioneers.
Mount Union (13-0) returned the favor with a long drive of its own, posting a 10-play 65-yard drive to take the lead for good. Widener went three-and-out on its next three possessions and punted, one of which was blocked by Todd Braden and recovered at the Widener 8. The Purple Raiders outscored Widener 63-17 from that point on.
Marino led all receivers with 17 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns, tying the single-game postseason record set by Catholic's Jeff Clay in 1997 at Trinity (Texas). Coleman caught six balls for 184 yards for Widener and two touchdowns, setting a Division III playoff record with seven touchdowns during the entire postseason.