ALLIANCE, Ohio — Mount Union College (12-0) advanced to the Division III Playoff Quarterfinals for the 15th consecutive season with a 35-3 win over visiting Wheaton College (10-2) Saturday afternoon, November 25 in front of 3,124 fans in Mount Union Stadium. 

The Purple Raiders struck first when running back Nate Kmic took a third down and one carry 52 yards for a touchdown at 11:27 of the first quarter. Mike Zimmerman's PAT made it 7-0 Raiders. 

The teams then exchanged turnovers. Wheaton safety Kirk McKenney stopped a Raider drive in Thunder territory with an interception. Wheaton then marched to the Raider nine yard line, and on third and goal, cornerback Jonah Wilson returned the favor with an interception in the end zone stopping a Wheaton scoring threat. 

Mount Union proceeded to march 80 yards on seven plays, capped by a Kmic 28 yard touchdown scamper. That play was preceded by a third and six 18 yard completion from quarterback Mike Jorris to Kmic. The Purple Raiders led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. 

Both teams had one serious scoring threat in the second quarter. Mid way through the period, the Raiders marched to the Thunder 20 yard line but failed on a fourth and six pass attempt. Wheaton responded by taking a possession to the Raider 22 yard line with under a minute to play in the period before cornerback Daryl Ely notched his first career interception for Mount Union. On that drive, the Thunder converted on three third and long pass completions. 

Mount Union led 14-0 at intermission. The Raiders had 211 yards of offense at the half - 166 rushing and 45 through the air. The Thunder amassed 137 yards - 36 on the ground and 101 passing. The Purple Raiders had a +1 turnover ratio at the break. 

On Mount Union first possession of the third quarter, the Raiders drove to the Wheaton 31 yard line when cornerback Tim March intercepted a pass, returning it to the Raider 37 yard line. Wheaton reached the Raider eight yard line before kicker Tim Ellingsen converted on a 25 yard field goal. Mount Union led 14-3 with 8:44 remaining in the third quarter. 

The Raiders quickly responded with a four play/75 yard drive culminating in quarterback Greg Micheli's 22 yard touchdown run following wide receiver Pierre Garcon's 37 yard reception and run. Zimmerman's PAT gave the Purple & White a 21-3 lead with 6:44 left in the third stanza. 

Wheaton took its next possession deep in Raider territory before cornerback Jonah Wilson intercepted his second pass in the contest. The Thunder got inside the Raider 10 yard line three times in the contest, but could only come away with three points. 

"It's good to come up with a big play on defense and contribute," said Wilson. "The coaches put us in good positions. I just reacted to the ball." 

Mount Union then went 70 yard on nine plays with Jorris connecting with wide receiver Pierre Garcon on a 13 yard touchdown strike. Zimmerman's PAT gave the Raiders a 28-7 lead with 14:08 left in the contest. 

The Raiders tagged on another score went Kmic took it in from the one yard line - his third touchdown of the contest - with 3:25 remaining. Kmic would finish with his second best career rushing performance - 293 yards rushing on 29 attempts. 

"We knew they were a good running team coming in," said Wheaton Head Coach Mike Swider. "But this was a football game for two to three quarters. Our kids kept fighting and never quit. I told our players I was proud that they refused to give up. If you give up in life, it will haunt you until you die. Years from now, they will remember they never quit and they will always be able to hold their heads up high." 

Statistically, the Raider amassed 492 yards - 397 yards rushing and 95 yards passing. Wheaton totaled 287 yards - 71 on the ground and 216 yards passing. The 71 yards rushing was the most gained against the Raiders this season. Mount Union averaged 8.9 yards per play compared to 4.1 yards per play for Wheaton. The Raiders were +3 in turnovers on the day totaling a season-high five interceptions - including two fourth quarter picks by linebackers Tony DeRiggi and Chas Yoder. 

"Our defense has played well all season long," noted Raider Head Coach Larry Kehres. "They did it again today against a well-balanced offense. We were able to get into a rhythm running the ball, so we stayed with it. Every game is unique and has its own life. Today, our offensive line and fullback (Terrance Morring) did a good job blocking for the run, and our running back (Nate Kmic) averaged 10 yards a carry, so we kept it simple and on the ground as possible." 

Garcon had half of Mount Union's pass receptions - three grabs for 67 yards and one score. Wheaton wide receiver Joe Chupp had game-highs in receptions (4) and yards receiving (128) while Chaz Black rushed for 70 yards on 28 carries, the most by a back against Mount Union this season. 

Defensively, the Raiders were led by safety Anthony Ursetti's six hits and end Justen Stickley's four and half hits, one sack and four quarterback hurries. The Thunder were paced by McKenney's six and 1/2 hits and one pick. 

The Purple Raiders will host conference rival Capital University (11-1) next Saturday, December 2 at noon. Earlier this season, the Raiders defeated the Crusaders 38-12 in league play. The two teams met in the playoff quarterfinals in 2005, with the Raiders coming away with a 34-31 victory. Capital reached next week's quarterfinals with a 32-14 first round win over Wittenberg and a 41-13 win over North Central (IL).