Stagg Bowl: Mount Union Versus Mary Hardin-Baylor

By Patriarca12 - Own work, CC BY 3.0

By Pdcook - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Mount Union Purple Raiders

Record: 14-0

Conference: Ohio Athletic Conference

National Titles: 12 (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015)

Head Coach: Vince Kehres

Points Per Game: 53.3

Points Allowed Per Game: 13.8

How they got here:

• Defeated Washington and Lee 21-0 (First Round)
• Defeated Case Western Reserve 45-16 (Second Round)
• Defeated Frostburg State 70-37 (Quaterfinals)
• Defeated Wisconsin-Oshkosh 43-40 (Semifinals)

Offensive Players To Watch: 

• D’Angelo Fulford, QB (182-261/2,959/49TD, 426 yards rushing)
• Jost Petruccelli/Jawanza Evans-Morris, RB (combined 2,078 yards rushing, both over 7.0 yards per carry)
• Justin Hill, WR (51/1,129/19TD, OAC WR of the year)
• Braeden Friss, WR (49/701/11TD)
• Jared Ruth, WR (45/816/14TD)
• Alex Louthan, K (16-21 FG, long of 45)
• Cole Parrish, C (AFCA All-American, OAC OL of the year)

Defensive Players To Watch: 

• Danny Robinson, LB (team leading 92 tackles, 4.5 sack, 8.0 tfl, 1 INT)
• Charlie Dear, LB (only other player with 60+ tackles at 86, 3 sacks, 10.5 tfl, 2 ff)
• Elijah Berry, DL (45 tackles, 9 sacks, 15.5 tfl)
• Michael Vidal, DL (45 tackles, 7 sacks, 11 tfl)
• Louis Berry, DB (6 INT), Trevor Cox, DB (50 tackles, 1 sack, 2.5 tfl, 5 INT).

By NativeTexan55 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders

Record: 14-0

Conference: American Southwest Conference

National Titles: 1 (2016)

Head Coach: Pete Fredenburg

Points Per Game: 38.1

Points Allowed Per Game: 7.0

How they got here:

• Defeated Chapman 50-6 (First Round)
• Defeated Linfield 24-0 (Second Round)
• Defeated St. Thomas 24-10 (Quaterfinals)
• Defeated Brockport 24-0 (Semifinals)

Offensive Players To Watch: 

• Markeith Miller, RB (214/1,121/15TD)
• Carl Robinson, QB (111-159/1,387/10TD)
• TJ Josey, WR (41/930/8TD)
• Bryce Wilkerson, WR (65/697/5TD, 45 PR/13.6 avg/3TD, 2 KR TD, AP All-American)
• John Mowery, K (16-20 FG, long of 44)
• Corbin Campitelli, OT (AP All-American),

Defensive Players To Watch: 

• Tevin Jones, (123 tackles, 12.5 tfl, 4 sacks, 2 FR, 1 TD)
• Kris Brown, DB (66 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 5 INT, 3 TD, AP All-American)
• Brazos Fuller, DL (54 tackles, 16.0 tfl, 5.5 sacks)
• Ajay Fanene, DL (36 tackles, 19.5 tfl, 16 sacks)
• Haston Adams, DL (42 tackles, 20.5 tfl, 4.5 sacks, AP All-American)
• Santos Villarreal, DB (50 tackles, 4 INT).   

Very rarely do we get a match up of the #1 offense in the nation versus the #1 defense in the nation in the national title game. A rematch of last year’s semifinal game, we get the privilege of watching the two best teams in the nation battle for the final title in Salem, Virginia.

How Mount Union Wins:

• Keep that train running. It is all about the high-flying offense of the Raiders in 2017. They have two 1,000 yard rushers, a stud quarterback, and a trio of receivers that could star for nearly any team in the nation. That isn’t even mentioning arguably the best offensive lineman at the D-III level in Cole Parrish. If the Raiders are to win, they have to score early and often to build a cushion versus a MHB team that is not as explosive on offense.
• Keep on schedule. If there is one thing that the MHB defense does better than any other team, making tackles for loss is it. In 14 games, the team has combined for 143 tackles for loss and 49 sacks. That type of pressure not only generates negative plays, but it also forces turnovers as evidenced by 18 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles on the year.
• Keep the ball out of Bryce Wilkerson’s hands. Not only is he the leading receiver for the Crusaders, but he is also one of the most electric players on special teams. He has 5 return touchdowns (3 PR, 2 PR) and leads the nation with a kickoff return average of over 40 yards. The Raiders have to take their chances with the explosive TJ Josey (22.7 yards per catch) getting more touches.

How Mary Hardin-Baylor Wins:

• Keep scoring on defense and special teams. The Crusaders have eight defensive touchdowns  and another five on special teams in 2017. That averages to nearly one touchdown per game coming from mostly unexpected sources. When not scoring, setting up excellent field position will be key to winning.
• Long drives on offense. The last thing any team wants is a tired defense facing off versus the Mount Union offense. If they are able to take the air out of the ball and use a steady run game to produce lengthy drives, the defense has a better shot at being fresh with the game on the line. Remember, this MHB defense held Mount Union to only 12 points last year in the semifinals.
• One big passing play. Everyone will be looking at Wilkerson to do the damage for the Crusaders, leaving TJ Josey with a chance to make a big play. He has produced and will be needed to keep the box from getting crowded. That is easier said than done versus a ball hawk defense that has picked off 22 passes on the year.

Prediction: Mary Hardin-Baylor 28, Mount Union 24.