Mount Union Vs. North Central: Stagg Bowl Live Updates And Game-Changing Highlights
Mount Union Vs. North Central: Stagg Bowl Live Updates And Game-Changing Highlights
On December 17, 2023, Mount Union and North Central faced off in the Stagg Bowl, the championship game of Division III college football. The game was a rematch of the 2021 Stagg Bowl, which Mount Union won 29-14. This year, Mount Union entered the game as the defending champions and the top-ranked team in Division III. North Central, meanwhile, was ranked third in the nation. The game was expected to be a close one, and it did not disappoint.
Mount Union's Path to the Stagg Bowl
Mount Union entered the 2023 season with high expectations. The Purple Raiders had won the Stagg Bowl the previous two seasons, and they were looking to make it three in a row. Mount Union started the season 5-0, but then they suffered their first loss of the season to John Carroll University. The Purple Raiders bounced back with a win over Ohio Northern University, but then they lost again to Baldwin Wallace University. Mount Union finished the regular season with a 9-2 record, and they earned the top seed in the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Purple Raiders defeated Centre College and Washington & Jefferson College in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and then they faced off against St. Thomas (MN) in the semifinals. Mount Union won the game 37-28, and they advanced to the Stagg Bowl.
North Central's Path to the Stagg Bowl
North Central entered the 2023 season with a lot of momentum. The Cardinals had won the NCAA Division III championship in 2019, and they were looking to get back to the top. North Central started the season 6-0, but then they lost their first game of the season to Augustana University. The Cardinals bounced back with a win over Illinois Wesleyan University, but then they lost again to Wisconsin-Whitewater University. North Central finished the regular season with a 9-2 record, and they earned the third seed in the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Cardinals defeated Trinity University (TX) and Mary Hardin-Baylor in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and then they faced off against Wesley College in the semifinals. North Central won the game 31-28, and they advanced to the Stagg Bowl.
Game Recap
The Stagg Bowl was a back-and-forth affair from the start. Mount Union took an early lead, but North Central came back to tie the game in the second quarter. The two teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, and Mount Union took a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter. North Central tied the game again with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but Mount Union answered back with a touchdown of their own to take a 31-28 lead. North Central had a chance to tie the game again late in the fourth quarter, but their field goal attempt was blocked and returned by Mount Union for a touchdown. Mount Union won the game 38-28, and they captured their third consecutive Stagg Bowl championship.
Game-Changing Highlights
There were several game-changing highlights in the Stagg Bowl. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- Mount Union's opening drive touchdown: Mount Union took the opening kickoff and drove down the field for a touchdown. The drive was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Jawon Hamilton.
- North Central's first touchdown: North Central tied the game in the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Ethan Greenfield.
- Mount Union's go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter: Mount Union took a 24-21 lead in the third quarter with a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braxton Plunk to wide receiver Justin Hill.
- North Central's tying touchdown in the fourth quarter: North Central tied the game again in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Lehnen to wide receiver Ryan Jefferson.
- Mount Union's game-winning touchdown: Mount Union took the lead for good in the fourth quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run by running back Josh Petruziello.
Perspective Analysis
The Stagg Bowl was a close and exciting game, and there were many different perspectives on the outcome. Here are a few of the most common perspectives:
- Mount Union is the best team in Division III: Mount Union has now won three consecutive Stagg Bowl championships, and they are widely considered to be the best team in Division III. The Purple Raiders have a lot of talent and experience, and they are well-coached by head coach Geoff Moore.
- North Central is a rising star in Division III: North Central reached the Stagg Bowl for the second time in three years, and they gave Mount Union a run for their money. The Cardinals have a lot of young talent, and they are led by a promising head coach in Jeff Thorne. North Central is a team to watch in the future.
- The Stagg Bowl is the most prestigious game in Division III: The Stagg Bowl is the championship game of Division III college football, and it is considered to be one of the most prestigious games in all of college football. The game is played in front of a large crowd at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, and it is broadcast live on ESPNU.
Conclusion
The Stagg Bowl was a great game, and it was a fitting end to the 2023 Division III college football season. Mount Union is a deserving champion, but North Central showed that they are a team to watch in the future. The Stagg Bowl is a great tradition in Division III college football, and it is one of the most prestigious games in all of college football.