Mount Union Purple Raiders football

Mount Union Purple Raiders football
Name	Mount Union Purple Raiders football
Founded	1893
University	University of Mount Union
Conference	Ohio Athletic Conference
City	Alliance, Ohio
Stadium	Mount Union Stadium
Capacity	5,600
Field	Kehres Field
Coach	Geoff Dartt
Conference champs	33
National champs	13 (NCAA Division III)
Playoff apps	29
Playoff record	118–22

Mount Union Purple Raiders football represents the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Competing in the Ohio Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III, the program is one of the most dominant in college football history. Under the long tenure of coach Larry Kehres, the Purple Raiders established a dynasty, winning numerous national championships. The team plays its home games at Mount Union Stadium on the campus's Kehres Field.

History

The program began in 1893 and experienced periods of moderate success before the modern era of dominance. A significant turning point came with the hiring of Larry Kehres as head coach in 1986. Kehres implemented a sophisticated passing offense and built a culture of excellence that transformed the team into a national power. The Purple Raiders' first NCAA Division III national championship came in 1993, defeating Rowan University in the Stagg Bowl. This victory began an unprecedented run, with the team appearing in the Stagg Bowl 20 times between 1993 and 2018. The program's success continued under Kehres's successor, Vince Kehres, and current coach Geoff Dartt, maintaining its status as a perennial contender.

Championships

Mount Union has won 13 NCAA Division III national championships, the most in the division's history. Their titles were secured in 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, and 2017. The team has also captured 33 Ohio Athletic Conference championships, demonstrating consistent conference supremacy. Many of these championship runs featured undefeated seasons and victories in the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. The Purple Raiders' frequent appearances in the Stagg Bowl, often against rival University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, defined an era of Division III football.

Notable players

Several Purple Raiders have achieved significant individual honors and advanced to professional football. Quarterback Jim Ballard was a central figure in the team's first national title and won the Gagliardi Trophy in 1993. Wide receiver Pierre Garçon played at Mount Union before a lengthy career in the National Football League with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins. Quarterback Kevin Burke won two Gagliardi Trophy awards and led the team to national championships in 2012 and 2015. Other notable alumni include defensive end Clyde Simmons, who had a prolific NFL career, and wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, who also played in the National Football League.

Coaches

Larry Kehres is the iconic figure of the program, serving as head coach from 1986 to 2012 and compiling a remarkable record. He was succeeded by his son, Vince Kehres, who led the team from 2013 to 2019 and continued the championship tradition. The current head coach is Geoff Dartt, a former Mount Union player and assistant under both Kehres coaches, appointed in 2020. The coaching tree also includes notable assistants like Dom Capers, who later became a head coach in the National Football League, contributing to the program's reputation for innovative strategy and development.

Facilities

The team plays at Mount Union Stadium, a 5,600-seat facility built in 1913 and extensively renovated. The stadium features an artificial turf playing surface named Kehres Field in honor of the coaching family. The complex includes the Gulling Training Center, an indoor practice facility that allows for year-round training. Adjacent to the stadium is the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex, which houses locker rooms, meeting spaces, and the University of Mount Union athletic department offices. These facilities are considered among the finest in NCAA Division III.

Rivalries

The program's primary and most significant rivalry is with John Carroll University, with the two Ohio Athletic Conference schools competing for the Ohio Athletic Conference title regularly. However, the most nationally prominent rivalry developed in the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs against the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. From 2005 through 2018, the two teams met in the Stagg Bowl ten times, creating a modern dynasty clash that captivated Division III football. Other consistent conference rivals include Baldwin Wallace University and Heidelberg University, with games often having implications for the Ohio Athletic Conference championship.

Category:NCAA Division III football teams Category:Ohio Athletic Conference Category:Sports in Alliance, Ohio