SALEM, VA --- Mount Union won its fourth Division III National Championship in five
years, and fifth overall ('93, '96, '97, '98, '00), with a 10-7 last second victory over Saint John's University
(MN) in front of 4,643 fans in Salem Stadium, in Salem, Virginia on December 16, 2000..
The Purple Raiders scored on their first possession, capping an 8 play/62 yard drive, when quarterback Gary Smeck
connected with tight end Adam Irgang on an 8-yard touchdown strike at the 11:18 mark of the first quarter.
St. John's answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Chris Moore completing an 8 play/49 yard drive
at the 3:01 mark of the second quarter.
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The two teams fought for field position through the third quarter and into the final
stanza.
The Purple Raiders then put together 12 play drive that stalled at the Johnnies' 18 yard line with 9:39 to play
in the contest. The ensuing 35 yard field goal was blocked by St. John's defensive back Brad Beyer.
The Raider defense, which forced four turnovers in the contest, held again when end Matt Campbell sacked quarterback
Tom Linemann forcing a punt with just over four minutes to play.
Mount Union's offense then put together a 65 yard/11 play drive setting up a game-winning 20-yard Rod Chenos field
goal with :01 second remaining on the clock.
Raider running back Chuck Moore earned game Most Valuable Player honors as he rushed for 146 yards on 32 carries.
Adam Marino led all receivers in receptions (8) and yards receiving (88). Smeck, who completed 19-of-27 passes
with one touchdown, set a new NCAA Division III Tournament completion percentage mark (80-of-115/.696). |
The Raiders totaled 323 yards of offense while the defense held the Johnnies to
207 yards in the contest. Raider linebacker Matt LaVerde had a team-best 12 tackles, including two for losses.
Overall, Mount Union has won 68 games in its last 69 games played. The Raiders now have won more National Championships
(5) than any team in Division III history. |
