2010 Mount Union Football Guide - University of Mount Union

national title teams
1993
After losing in the Division III playoffs to the eventual National Champion in four previous
tries, the Purple Raiders won their first Division III National Championship behind an
offense that averaged 47.1 points per game and a defense that posted five shutouts on the
year, went 15 quarters without being scored on and gave up just 7.7 points per contest.
Offensively, Division III Player of the Year Jim Ballard completed 321 of 458 passes (.701) for
4,572 yards and 54 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions. Running back Jim Gresko totaled
1,517 yards on 246 carries with 16 rushing scores and added 71 receptions for 638 yards
with 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Ed Bubonics had 102 receptions for 1,769 yards and 14
touchdowns while tight end Rob Atwood had 63 grabs for 851 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensively, inside linebacker Dan Capozella finished with 122 hits, inside linebacker Jay
Sawvel had 118 hits, tackle Mike Hallett amassed 111 hits and 8.5 sacks, outside linebacker
Rob Rodgers had 99 hits and 11 passes broken up, and free safety Mike Malchesky finished
with 11 interceptions.
Quarterback Bill Borchert set a number of Stagg Bowl records in 1996, including touchdown passes
thrown (7), yards passing (505), and total offense (535).
Jim Ballard (13) was named division iii Player of the Year as he led the Raiders to their first national
championship in 1993.
including playoffs, the Raider defense held the opposition to just 206.4 yards per game in 1996.
Mount union’s defense gave up only 120 points in 14 games played while posting five shutouts in 1993.
1996
Mount Union, ranked #1 in the country in eight of nine pre-season publications, lived
up to all expectations by winning its second National Championship in four years. The Purple
and White dominated opponents – never trailing in the second half of play until the National
Championship game (21-24 at half), where Mount Union came up with 35 unanswered
points in the final two frames versus Rowan (NJ) in winning Stagg Bowl XIV by a 56-24
count. Individually, quarterback Bill Borchert, the Melberger Award winner as the Division III
Player of the Year, completed 250 of 374 passes (.668) for 4,035 yards with 55 touchdowns
and nine interceptions – including a record-setting 505 yards passing and seven touchdown
passes in the Stagg Bowl. Wide receiver Kevin Knestrick had 64 receptions for 1,488 yards
and 18 scores.
Defensively, inside linebacker Jason Hall amassed 135 hits, including 13 tackles for
loss. Inside linebacker Jim Eller had 124 hits and outside linebacker Brian Wervey finished
with 108 hits, 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Statistics reflect 14-game totals unless otherwise noted.
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