Mount Union, college football's winningest team in the '90s (120-7-1/.941), has
three players named to the usafootball.com D-III preseason All American squad.The Purple Raiders are expected to
return 39 letterwinners in '00, including eight offensive and seven defensive starters from last year's team that
set a new collegiate mark for consecutive wins (54).
The Purple & White offense, which led all of Division III in points per game (53.4 ppg) and yards per game
(559.5) in '99, will again be triggered by senior All-American quarterback Gary Smeck (172-of-268/64.2/37 TDs/4
INTs/2,878 yds in '99). Smeck led the nation in passing efficiency (208.6) a year ago. Four of his favorite receiving
targets are back, including All-American senior/wideout Adam Marino (88 rec/1,724 yds/20 TDs), who led the Ohio
Athletic Conference in receptions, touchdown catches and receiving yards.
Junior running back Chuck Moore (245 att/1,514 yds/6.2 ypr/29 total TDs), who finished fourth in the nation in
scoring during the regular season (22 TDs) last fall, has been chosen a usafootball.com 4th team running back.
Three of last year's five starting offensive linemen return, including senior tackle Jason Gerber (6-4/290), another
preseason All-American and junior guard William Rychel (6-4/296) . a 3rd team choice.
"We have a good veteran nucleus returning on offense," noted Raider head coach Larry Kehres (150-17-3/.891)
who enters his 15th season at the helm of the Raider football fortunes. "Hopefully, we can stay healthy and
be productive on that side of the ball again this coming fall."
"We graduated a number of key players from our defensive unit, especially along our defensive front,"
said Kehres. "There will be opportunities for some of our younger players to step up and earn starting assignments
next fall."
Overall, the Raiders are hoping to continue a tradition that has included four National Championships ('93, '96-'98)
and eight consecutive OAC titles ('92-'99). Mount Union will also try to extend a Division III best 54 consecutive
game regular season winning streak. |
| 11 |
mmWisconsin
- m La Crosse
Eagles
|
|
|
Larry Terry
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Lost to D-II Washburn 26-6
|
|
| 12 |
Western Maryland Green Terror
|
|
|
Tim Keating
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Lost to Bridgewater (VA) 19-7
|
|
| 13 |
Ursinus Bears
|
|
|
Paul Guenther
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 14 |
John Carroll Blue Streaks
|
|
|
Regis Scafe
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Defeated #26 Catholic 37-3
|
|
| 15 |
Montclair State Red Hawks
|
|
|
Rich Giancola
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 16 |
Lycoming Warriors
|
|
|
Frank Girardi
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 17 |
Willamette Bearcats
|
|
|
Mark Speckman
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 18 |
Augustana/IL Vikings
|
|
|
Tom Schmulbach
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 19 |
Wisconsin-Stevens Point Pointers
|
|
|
John Miech
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 20 |
Buffalo State Bengals
|
|
|
Jerry Boyes
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Lost to D-IAA Robert Morris 30-20
|
|
| 21 |
Hanover Panthers
|
|
|
Wayne Perry
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 22 |
Western Connecticut Colonials
|
|
|
Bob Surace
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Defeated D-IAA Marist 43-15
|
|
| 23 |
Allegheny Gators
|
|
|
Blair Hrovat
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Lost to No. 1 Mount Union 48-21
|
|
| 24 |
Albion Britons
|
|
|
Craig Rundle
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Defeated MacMurray 41-0
|
|
| 25 |
Grove City Wolverines
|
|
|
Chris Smith
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Lost to Dickinson 13-9
|
|
| 26 |
Catholic Cardinals
|
|
|
Tom Clark
|
|
Head Coach
|
|
|
|
Lost to No. 14 John Carroll 37-3
|
|
| 27 |
St. Norbert Green Knights
|
|
|
Jim Purtill
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 28 |
Ithaca Bombers
|
|
|
Mike Welch
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|
| 29 |
Alma Scots
|
|
|
| 30 |
Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets
|
|
|
Bob Packard
|
|
Head Coach
|
| |
|
Idle
|
|