2010 Mount Union Football Guide - University of Mount Union

national title teams
1997
The Raiders won back–to–back National Titles in convincing fashion – never trailing in
the fourth quarter all season long en route to setting a modern-day record (since 1937) for
points scored (752) and leading the nation during the regular season in fewest points allowed
(5.6 ppg) and rush defense (48.6 ypg). Quarterback Bill Borchert, the Division III Player of
the Year, taking less than 3/4 of the snaps all season long, completed 275 of 413 (.666)
for 4,335 yards with 63 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Wide receiver Kevin
Knestrick totaled 57 grabs for 1,259 yards and 11 touchdowns, tight end Brian Tyla also had
57 receptions for 779 yards and 11 scores and wide receiver Reiko Gollate finished with 47
touches for 813 yards and 21 touchdowns. Running back Marc Lantos had 16 total touchdowns
– eight rushing and eight receiving - while rushing for 825 yards on 132 carries.
Defensively, inside linebacker Jason Hall had 101 hits and 10 tackles for loss, inside
linebacker Jim Eller finished with 98 hits and 10 passes broken up, outside linebacker Mark
Black totaled 73 hits, 8 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, tackle Jim Eismon had 65 hits, 16
tackles for loss and 12 sacks and end Jeremy Yoder finished with 39 hits, 14 tackles for loss
and 11 sacks. Defensively as a team, Mount Union posted five shutouts, had 77 sacks and
123 tackles for loss in 14 games played.
in 1998, six come-from-behind wins propelled the Purple and White to the first of two “three-peat” titles.
including post-season, senior/wide receivers Kevin Knestrick (57 rec/1,259 yards/11 tds) and Reiko
Gollate (47 rec/813 yards/21 tds) combined for 104 receptions, 2,072 yards and 32 receiving scores
in 1997.
Mount union’s defense dominated opponents in 1997, allowing more than two touchdowns in a game only
once all season long.
Senior inside-linebacker Jason Hall (#58) and senior tackle B.J. Payne (#66) provided the Raider defense
with the leadership necessary in 1998 to finds ways to win in Mount union’s most competitive National
championship season.
1998
The Raiders won their third consecutive National Championship in dramatic fashion –
earning wins against eight top-25 opponents and pulling off six come-from-behind victories,
including scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half of Stagg Bowl XVI to earn a 44-24
win over Rowan (NJ). Individually, quarterback Gary Smeck, the only sophomore quarterback
to lead the Raiders to a National Title, completed 287-of-434 passes (.661) for 4,049 yards,
34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Wide receiver Darin Kershner had 93 grabs for 1,423
yards and nine scores while teammate Adam Marino finished with 74 receptions for 1,337
yards and 14 touchdowns. Running back Ryan Gorius rushed for 989 yards on 199 attempts
with 11 scores and had 52 catches for 483 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Defensively, inside linebacker Jason Hall totaled 174 hits, 17 tackles for loss, six sacks,
12 passes broken up and two interceptions, outside linebacker Matt Shenigo finished with
122 hits and 12 tackles for loss, outside linebacker Rich Goebelt had 115 hits, 12 tackles
for loss and eight sacks, end Matt Domin totaled 108 hits and nine sacks, end Jeremy Yoder
amassed 71 hits, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks, and safety Kris Bugara had 64 hits and
seven interceptions, resulting in 209 return yards and two touchdowns.
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