Mount Union blanks Cru for 13th title

Gabe Brown and his Mount Union defensive teammates sacked UMHB quarterbacks eight times. Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com

SALEM -- In the lowest scoring game in Division III championship history, Mount Union won Stagg Bowl XLV 12-0 on a cold Friday night against Mary Hardin-Baylor. It was the Purple Raiders’ 13th title, the first coming in 1993, which was the debut year the Stagg Bowl was held at Salem Stadium.

Defensive lineman Nick Brish, who led Mount Union in tackles and sacked UMHB’s quarterback for a safety, was selected as the day’s Most Outstanding Player.

• 2017 D3football.com All-America team

Both teams led with their strengths -- their defenses -- and clashed on a night when the fierceness of the wind matched the hassle of freezing temperatures. Passes and punts often hung in the air, while run games often failed to materialize. Too many drives that made it past the 50 yard line ultimately died.

"When you play against a great team and have tremendous respect for them, it wills you to prepare a little bit harder, to review that game plan one more time," said Mount Union coach Vince Kehres, whose team lost to UMHB last year in the national semifinals. "It helped us to win this football game."

Both defenses showcased their speed, putting pressure on quarterbacks and keeping runners from getting to the edges. Mount Union rolled up eight sacks in their 20th visit to this city. And this game marked the first time since Mary Hardin-Baylor’s startup season in 1998 that the Cru has been shut out in a game. It also snapped a 29-game win streak for last year’s national champion.

Mary Hardin-Baylor hadn't been shut out since Oct. 17, 1998, the sixth game in program history.

The Purple Raiders amassed 229 yards total, most of which came in the second half, while UMHB was held to just 144 yards. Mount Union managed a field goal prior to the half and extended that margin after the break, but the game didn’t have many particularly notable momentum shifts. Perhaps the biggest single play was the 42-yard touchdown pass from D’Angelo Fulford to Justin Hill in tight coverage that helped give the team some breathing room and make it a two-score game. Hill led the team in receiving yards with 73, while Fulford went 12-21 with 137 yards and two interceptions.

In the end, players and fans rushed the field, chanted “UMU” in celebration, Hill was seen doing a back flip, and they held up the game’s most coveted trophy. A year after The Machine failed to win their conference or make the championship game, they have found their way back to the top.

2017 Division III football playoffs

December 18, 2017 2017 Division III football bracket Thirty-one games to produce a national championship -- here's how Mount Union won its 13th Stagg Bowl.

December 16, 2017 ATN Podcast 190: Farewell to 2017, Salem The gang is joined by guests who tell the history of the Stagg Bowl in Salem, former NCAA liaison Wayne Burrow and longtime game manager Carey Harveycutter. This podcast is a farewell to the season, and a Salem retrospective that tells us how D-III's destination came to be this small town in the Roanoke Valley.

December 16, 2017 At Mount Union, the goal never changes When those who have come before have been so efficient at championship-winning that Stagg Bowl appearances seem a foregone conclusion, it can create the impression to outsiders that it's easy. But it wasn't, Keith McMillan writes.

December 15, 2017 Mount Union blanks Cru for 13th title The Purple Raiders have won 13 national titles, but has never done it via shutout. They got back on top with a dominating defensive performance, beating Mary Hardin-Baylor 12-0.

December 15, 2017 Purple Raiders make a stand The matchup everyone talked about leading up to Stagg Bowl XLV did not ultimately decide the game. Instead, it was Mount Union's defense that proved to be the decisive unit, earning the Purple Raiders championship No. 13. Adam Turer has more from Salem.

December 14, 2017 Quick Hits: Our Stagg Bowl predictions We have one game left, and somehow it seems that six predictions, and quick ones, are no longer appropriate. So we bring out a couple more experts, and we give everyone a couple hundred words to work with. Here's our predictions for Friday night's game.

December 14, 2017 Podcast: Stagg Bowl preview Wait, a podcast on a Thursday? Yep -- we step up to the mic in Salem for a special edition of the D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast focused on getting you ready for Stagg Bowl XLV. We talk with players on both sides for their perspective and highlight a couple of places where the game Friday night could turn. 

December 12, 2017 Back and better than ever Mary Hardin-Baylor graduated several key players who earned plenty of hardware in 2016. Internal competition pushed this year's team, which is now one win away from its goal of a repeat, thanks in large part to a suffocating defense. Adam Turer has more in a Road to Salem feature.

December 12, 2017 A quarter century later ... In 1993, the Stagg Bowl moved into a new home in Salem, Virginia. What nobody realized then was that Mount Union was moving in as well. Ryan Tipps looks at the original Purple Power and how their presence has turned from novelty into a D-III tradition.

December 11, 2017 ATN Podcast: And then there were two We’re pretty sure you already know what this podcast is about: two teams left, two epic performances, one in the comeback from 25 points down in 24 minutes and the other being another stifling defensive performance. Pat and Keith break down the games, with Keith looking at each game a second time and giving his first keys to the game for Stagg Bowl XLV.

December 9, 2017 UMHB defense keeps title defense alive The Cru booked their return trip to Salem by rolling up 21 points in the first quarter and cruising the rest of the way, easily dispatching with Brockport in the national semifinals.

December 9, 2017 Mount Union rallies from 25 down to win Mount Union came back from a 35-10 third-quarter deficit and survived a field goal attempt on the final play of the game to secure its 20th trip to Salem.

December 8, 2017 Quick Hits: Our predictions for the semifinals What kind of games are we in for on Saturday? Will we see a return of last year's semifinal defensive battles, or offensive shootouts? What do the prognosticators think of Brockport's chances at UMHB? Check out the answers in this week's Quick Hits.

December 7, 2017 Reloaded Titans eager for a return to Salem After graduation decimated the defense, UW-Oshkosh exceeded expectations. Now they get their chance to knock off Mount Union in the playoffs and earn a second straight Stagg Bowl berth. Andrew Wagner has more in a Road to Salem feature.

December 7, 2017 Purple Raiders defense stays a step ahead One key attribute separates Mount Union's defense from the rest of Division III. A trio of first-time opponents learned that firsthand this postseason. One more challenging offense stands between the Purple Raiders and another trip to Salem. Adam Turer has more in a Road to Salem feature.

December 6, 2017 Building process pays off for Brockport The Golden Eagles weathered consecutive .500 seasons, but learned from every loss. This senior class has already made history, but they're not finished yet. Joe Sager has more in a Road to Salem feature.

December 5, 2017 Cru's new QB leans on stellar support system Carl Robinson III will be making just his sixth career start on Saturday. The freshman is benefiting from the leadership and playmaking of his senior teammates and aims to continue his growth as the stage grows bigger. Brian Lester has more in a Road to Salem feature.

December 4, 2017 ATN Podcast 187: Last gasps, final kicks, big picks Whether it's a last-second field goal, an unexpectedly expected quarterback change, or an expected defensive and special teams battle, the four quarterfinals Saturday had enough to keep any Division III fan interested. And Pat and Keith preview the semifinals as well.

December 2, 2017 UMHB, Mount Union, Brockport, UW-Oshkosh reach semis Mary Hardin-Baylor won with defense and special teams in the fourth quarter, Brockport won on the final play of the game, UW-Oshkosh pulled away in the second half, while Mount Union decided a quarterback change was warranted in Saturday's quarterfinals.

November 30, 2017 Tommies working to keep away from takeaways St. Thomas had three turnovers in the second round, and a memorable eight giveaways in last year's quarterfinal vs. UW-Oshkosh. Suffice it to say, the number eight has been on the Tommies' minds. Adam Turer has more in a Road To Salem feature.

November 29, 2017 The Knights return Wartburg has already proved that 2016 was a blip in the program's recent stretch of playoff success. A familiar balance boosted by experience has the Knights on another playoff run. Ryan Tipps has more in a Road to Salem feature.

November 28, 2017 DiGati is the Aggies' ultimate warrior A devastating knee injury. A trade school detour. Nothing slowed Nicholas DiGati from his college football dreams. The middle linebacker leads an Aggies defense that has Delaware Valley on the doorstep. Brian Lester has more in a Road to Salem feature.

November 27, 2017 Brockport hopes successful formula pays off again The Golden Eagles have balance, depth, and senior leadership. They're also having fun during this record-breaking season. Joe Sager has more in a Road to Salem feature.

November 29, 2017 Mount Union QB appears in court; bench warrant cancelled Less than 24 hours after D3football.com reported that D'Angelo Fulford failed to show in court for his arraignment on the charges of speeding and driving under suspended license, he appeared in court Wednesday morning and pleaded no contest to the traffic charges.

November 27, 2017 Podcast: Blowing it all out OK, yes, this second round of the playoffs was bad, in an epic way. No doubt. How bad? We’ll talk about that, for sure. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything we can learn from this round, because we definitely got a better look at some teams, even if there are a couple of teams advancing that haven’t yet been playoff tested.

November 25, 2017 Holiday weekend full of second-round turkeys The average margin of victory on Saturday was roughly equivalent to the amount of turkey an average football team consumes on Thanksgiving. Check out the second-round wrapup.

November 21, 2017 Bobcats believe in making history Frostburg State is making the most of the program's second playoff opportunity. The Bobcats have a lot in common with the first Frostburg playoff team, but plan on doing one thing that team didn't. Adam Turer has more in a Road to Salem feature.

November 21, 2017 Rivalry renewed for UMHB, Linfield Two thousand miles have not been able to keep the Crusaders and the Wildcats from becoming familiar foes. Their meetings have made both teams stronger. Brian Lester has more in a Road to Salem feature.

November 20, 2017 Podcast: A fun first round, for starters Yes, two top 10 teams are eliminated who should have had a better chance to advance into the second round, and it’s crazy that we have to wait until Sundays to find out who is hosting, but the games were pretty entertaining in the first round of the playoffs. Pat and Keith talk about all 16 games, plus the surprise players who did and did not play on Saturday.

November 20, 2017 Power PAC: W&J, CWRU both 11-0 A potential PAC title game remained a possibility as this week it was Washington and Jefferson surviving while Case Western Reserve dominated. The PAC teams improved to a combined 22-0 this season. Joe Sager has more in a Road to Salem feature.

November 18, 2017 Husson and three home teams advance in 'East' The fully formed East Region bracket saw Husson pull off the road upset for the ECFC's first-ever playoff win, while the other three home teams all advanced to the second round.

November 18, 2017 Another UMHB-Linfield rematch coming; Berry advances Linfield will play Mary Hardin-Baylor for the fourth time in the past 21 games after the Wildcats defeated Hardin-Simmons, while Berry won its first-ever playoff game and St. Thomas advanced with ease in the top right-hand bracket.

November 18, 2017 Frostburg makes the call; Case sees white; Fulford starts DeAngelo Fulford started for Mount Union, one day after news of his arrest and outstanding warrant in Florida broke. Meanwhile, Case Western Reserve was dominant in the snow at IWU, Frostburg made a gutsy call down the stretch and W&J just got its game-winner through.

November 18, 2017 Wartburg wins in OT; N.Central in tight game; Trine in blowout The top ten teams played like it in the top-left bracket, while Wartburg had three defensive stands and outlasted Franklin in overtime and Trine found the lightning to go with the thunder in Saturday's first-round playoff action.

November 17, 2017 Mount Union starting quarterback arrested D'Angelo Fulford, Mount Union's sophomore No. 1 quarterback, was arrested Wednesday during a traffic stop, on a warrant out of his home state of Florida, according to reports out of Ohio.

November 17, 2017 Quick Hits: Predicting the scores, game by game Our Quick Hits crew each take their guesses at the score for each first-round game. Low scoring? High scoring? Close game? Blowout? Split decision? Get a feel for each game in this week's Quick Hits.

November 16, 2017 Playoff picks, surprises and disappointments Who are the teams that will surprise in this year's playoffs? Who will be the disappointments? And who will still be standing when we get to the semifinals? That's what our panel picks today in an annual Around the Nation tradition.

November 15, 2017 St. Thomas defense is a team effort The Tommies pitched four shutouts in 10 regular season games, but there might not be a household name on the defense. Its truly 11 guys working as one. Josh Smith has more in Around the West.

November 15, 2017 2017 playoffs: Delaware Valley bracket Here's the facts and predictions you need to know from the bottom right-hand bracket, from Delaware Valley to Western New England.

November 15, 2017 2017 playoffs: Mary Hardin-Baylor bracket Here's the facts and predictions you need to know from the upper right-hand bracket, from Mary Hardin-Baylor to Eureka.

November 15, 2017 2017 playoffs: Mount Union bracket Here's the facts and predictions you need to know from the bottom left-hand bracket, from Mount Union to Washington & Lee.

November 15, 2017 2017 playoffs: UW-Oshkosh bracket Here's the facts and predictions you need to know from the upper left-hand bracket, from UW-Oshkosh to Lakeland.

November 14, 2017 A familiar destination, an unfamiliar path Johns Hopkins is back in the playoffs, but did not arrive via its usual Centennial Conference dominance. A mid-season wake-up call was just what the Blue Jays needed, and they enter the tournament with momentum. More in Around the Mid-Atlantic.

November 14, 2017 Last season's heartbreak was this season's motivation In 2016, a 9-1 record wasn't good enough for Berry to make the playoffs. This year, however, the Vikings left no doubt, going undefeated, winning the SAA and carrying the conference banner into the postseason. More in Around the South.

November 13, 2017 Podcast: Bracket goes back in time Rather than a step forward, this bracket is like a trip back in time. In fact, this bracket features something that hasn't been in a Division III football bracket since 2009. You do not want to leave this podcast early, before you hear the bonus picks.

November 13, 2017 Final NCAA regional ranking for 2017 The final regional ranking reflects how the committee listed teams on Selection Sunday. Get all the data and analysis on the regional rankings inside.

November 12, 2017 Bracket: All the right teams, in mostly right places Saturday's results made it very easy to pick the at-large teams correctly, so easy, we can't even take much credit for it. Here's how the NCAA committee bracketed the same 32 teams we chose.

November 11, 2017 Final projected playoff bracket: Who makes the cut? We nearly had two at-large bids to give out Saturday, but Case Western Reserve survived and burst someone's bubble. Here's who we think makes the playoffs, and where the NCAA could (or should) match them up.

November 9, 2017 Projected playoff bracket: Who's in, who goes where? Here's our crack at the field of 32 teams on the road to Salem, including matchups. The committee found money for an extra first-round flight last year, and we're going to take them up on that again in 2017. Check it out.

November 8, 2017 Second NCAA regional ranking for 2017 The second regional ranking gives us a more complete picture of how teams might be ordered on Selection Sunday. Get all the data and analysis on the regional rankings inside.

November 1, 2017 First NCAA regional ranking for 2017 The NCAA's regional rankings are out. If you are new to D-III or haven't been listening to the podcast, you might not understand why these don't look more like the national rankings.

Titans are giant killers Illinois Wesleyan's season started with an upset of a perennial national power. The momentum fueled a CCIW co-championship run and playoff berth. Now, the Titans aim to build on their success by stringing together some postseason wins. More in Around the Midwest.