2006 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team

The 2006 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team was an American football team that represented the University of Mount Union in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) during the 2006 NCAA Division III football season. In their 21st year under head coach Larry Kehres, the Purple Raiders compiled a perfect 15–0 record, won the OAC championship, advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs, and defeated Wisconsin–Whitewater, 35–16, in the national championship game.[1]

2006 Mount Union Purple Raiders football
NCAA Division III champion
OAC champion
ConferenceOhio Athletic Conference
Ranking
D3Football.comNo. 1
Record15–0 (9–0 OAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Campbell (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorVince Kehres (2nd season)
Home stadiumMount Union Stadium
Seasons
← 2005
2007 →
2006 Ohio Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 Mount Union $^   9 0     15 0  
No. 3 Capital ^   8 1     11 2  
Baldwin–Wallace   6 3     7 3  
Marietta   5 4     6 4  
Ohio Northern   5 4     6 4  
John Carroll   5 4     5 5  
Otterbein   3 6     4 6  
Wilmington (OH)   3 6     3 7  
Muskingum   1 8     2 8  
Heidelberg   0 9     0 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division III playoff participant
Rankings from D3football.com

Sophomore tailback Nate Kmic led the team with 2,365 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. By the conclusion of his senior season, Kmic became the all-time leading rusher in college football history.

The team played its home games at Mount Union Stadium in Alliance, Ohio.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Averett*
W 64–73,782[2]
September 16at Otterbein
W 71–143,317
September 23at Muskingum
W 62–01,894
October 1Heidelberg
W 58–03,832
October 7Ohio Northern
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH
W 49–76,832[3]
October 14at Wilmington (OH)W 65–93,967
October 21at Baldwin–Wallace
W 14–06,121[4]
October 28Capital
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH
W 38–124,132
November 4John Carroll
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH
W 31–144,572
November 11at Marietta
W 45–17975
November 18Hope*
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH (NCAA Division III first round)
W 49–01,624
November 25Wheaton*
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH (NCAA Division III second round)
W 35–33,124
December 2Capital*
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH (NCAA Division III quarterfinal)
W 17–142,817
December 9St. John Fisher*
  • Mount Union Stadium
  • Alliance, OH (NCAA Division III semifinal)
W 26–143,532[5]
December 16vs. Wisconsin–Whitewater*W 35–166,051[6]
  • *Non-conference game

[7]

References

edit
  1. ^ "2006 Football". University of Mount Union. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Mount Union romps in Virginia". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 3, 2006. p. C11 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Purple Raiders turn the tables". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 8, 2006. p. C9 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Defense steps up to solidify shutout". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 22, 2006. p. C11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Cardinals dream ends". Democrat and Chronicle. December 10, 2006. pp. 1D, 8D – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "No fairy-tale finale". Wisconsin State Journal. December 17, 2006. pp. E1, E4 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "2006 Mount Union Football Statistics". Mount Union.