Championship Sunday for NCAA Division III college football is here.
Mount Union and North Central will clash in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl tonight at Houston's Shell Energy Stadium. Kickoff is at 8:03 p.m. on ESPN.
Mount Union is appearing in a record 23rd Stagg Bowl and have won an NCAA-record 13 national championships. The Purple Raiders' last title came in 2017.
North Central is appearing in the Stagg Bowl for the fifth straight time not including the canceled 2020 COVID season. The Cardinals won national titles in 2019 and 2022.
Follow along throughout the game for live scoring updates and analysis.
North Central wins third national championship
North Central defeats Mount Union 41-25. The Cardinals win their third national championship. For the Purple Raiders, the wait for a 14th title continues.
Luke Lehnen delivers dagger for North Central
Luke Lehnen's 12-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Paradee with 2:32 left practically clinches it for North Central. The Cardinals lead 41-25.
North Central drove 77 yards in 14 plays and ran almost seven minutes off the clock. The Cardinals converted on fourth-and-1 from their own 42 on Joe Sacco's 5-yard run.
Mount Union punts for the second time
Mount Union punts on fourth-and-8 just inside North Central territory. A stop here is required if the Purple Raiders are to have any chance.
Charles Coleman helps North Central quickly strike back
Mount Union has to regroup again
On third-and-1, Charles Coleman races 66 yards for a touchdown. The PAT is missed.
North Central leads 34-25 with 12:41 left.See AlsoThe Ultimate Guide to 7 on 7 Football (Rules and Positions)What Is 7 On 7 Football? A Comprehensive Overview - Ourballsports.comWhat Is 7 on 7 Football? [2024 Updated Guide]
Mount Union bounces off the mat again
They just won't be knocked out.
TJ DeShields connects with Jerry Cooper on a 54-yard touchdown completion and to Drew Sims on the two-point conversion.
The Purple Raiders cut North Central's lead to 28-25.
Luke Lehnen restores 11-point lead for North Central
Luke Lehnen avoids pressure and spots a wide-open Jack Rummell for a 6-yard touchdown completion.
North Central leads 28-17.
North Central carries a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter
North Central quarterback Luke Lehnen is starting to pick apart the Mount Union defense. The Cardinals will open the fourth quarter at the Purple Raiders 10-yard line.
TJ DeShields, Nick Turner pull Mount Union back in it
Game on again.
It felt like a must-score possession for Mount Union, and the Purple Raiders got what they needed. TJ DeShields' 31-yard touchdown pass to Nick Turner cuts North Central's lead to 21-17.
Mount Union drove 75 yards in six plays.
Luke Lehnen helps North Central increase its lead
A huge moment here for North Central. The Cardinals drive 80 yards in seven plays and grab a 21-10 lead on Luke Lehnen's 1-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Paradee.
Lehnen's 46-yard completion to Thomas Skokna set up the touchdown.
Mount Union can't capitalize again in the red zone
Mount Union's fourth trip to the red zone leads to no points for the third time. Ivan Maric's 36-yard field goal attempt is wide left.
Mount Union gets the ball to start the second half
Let's see if the Purple Raiders can regroup after that disastrous end to the first half.
Stunning decision by Mount Union leads to no points
What the ... ?
Mount Union made a stunning decision to run the football on third down deep in North Central territory in the final seconds of the first half. The Purple Raiders came up short. The problem is they had no timeouts left.
Needless to say, Mount Union could not get its field goal unit on the field in time. North Central holds on to a 14-10 lead at halftime.
Mount Union defensive stop forces game's first punt
I stand corrected. We're punting.
The first North Central punt of the night gives the ball back to Mount Union.
Ivan Maric's field goal helps Mount Union cut North Central lead
We're probably not punting tonight.
A 30-yard field goal from Ivan Maric into the wind helps Mount Union cut North Central's lead to 14-10. The Purple Raiders elected to kick instead of going for it on fourth down this time.
Luke Lehnen touchdown run gives North Central its first lead
Quarterback Luke Lehnen gives North Central a 14-7 lead with a 16-yard touchdown run.
A fourth-down conversion run from Charles Coleman and Jack Rummell's leaping 38-yard catch helped set up the Cardinals' touchdown.
Mount Union comes up empty deep in North Central territory
Mount Union goes for it on fourth-and-3 from the North Central 12 and comes up empty. A TJ DeShields pass intended for Tyrell Sanders is incomplete.
The Purple Raiders converted on fourth down earlier in the drive.
Mount Union, North Central tied at 7-7 after one quarter
Looking to regain the lead, the Purple Raiders will start the second quarter at the North Central 19-yard line.
A quick game-tying response for North Central
North Central quarterback Luke Lehnen quickly put his early turnover behind him. The two-time Gagliardi Trophy winner throws a 24-yard touchdown pass to Myles Walton to help the Cardinals tie the game at 7-7.
Lehnen has completed five of his first six passes for 95 yards.
Mount Union's Tyler Echeverry opens the scoring with TD run
Tyler Echeverry opening the scoring in the Stagg Bowl comes as no surprise. Division III's top running back races 29 yards for a touchdown to give Mount Union a 7-0 lead.
The Purple Raiders take advantage of Kaleb Brown's fumble recovery and march 62 yards in nine plays.
Kaleb Brown fumble recovery stops North Central opening drive
Mount Union comes up with the first takeaway. Kaleb Brown recovers North Central quarterback Luke Lehnen's fumble at the Purple Raiders 39-yard line.
Lehnan had a 31-yard completion to Thomas Skona on the game's opening drive.
North Central will get the ball first
North Central has won the toss and has elected to receive.
Mount Union probable starters in Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl
- OFFENSE
- QB, TJ Deshields, 6-4, 220, sr.
- RB, Tyler Echeverry, 5-10, 200, sr.
- TE, Matt Anderson, 6-2, 225, sr.
- WR, Nick Turner, 5-8, 170, jr.
- WR, Tyrell Sanders, 5-10, 180, sr.
- WR, Jerry Cooper, 5-1, 195, jr.
- LT, Aiden Cange, 6-2, 265, sr.
- LG, Giovanni Kennedy, 6-1, 270, sr.
- C, Mason Fortner, 6-2, 290, sr.
- RG, Jarrett Burress, 6-2, 285, jr.
- RT, Ben Lilly, 6-4, 305, sr.
- SPECIALIST
- PK, Ivan Maric, 6-0, 165, soph.
- H, Mike Franklin, 6-0, 180, jr.
- KR, Darnell Williams, 5-7, 165, sr.
- DEFENSE
- END, Kaleb Brown, 6-2, 220, jr.
- NOSE, Jackson Harris, 6-3, 250, soph.
- TACKLE, Von Factor, 5-10, 235, sr.
- BANDIT, Rossy Moore, 6-2, 225, sr.
- WILL, Marcus Jackson, 5-10, 215, jr.
- MIKE, Jazz Jackson, 5-11, 210, sr.
- SPUR, Weston Arthur, 5-10, 180, jr.
- S, John Roland, 5-10, 180, sr.
- S, Brandon Yanssens, 5-10, 190, jr.
- CB, Tony Cook, 5-8, 160, sr.
- CB, Zack Liebler, 5-8, 165, fr.
- SPECIALISTS
- P, Mike Franklin, 6-0, 180, jr.
- LS, Jared Pasco, 6-0, 205, soph.
- PR, Tyler May, 6-0, 165, sr.
North Central probable starters in Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl
- OFFENSE
- QB, Luke Lehnen, 6-1, 202, gr.
- RB, Joe Sacco, 5-10, 186, sr.
- TE, Bobby Behmer, 6-2, 243, sr.
- WR, Thomas Skokna, 5-9, 174, jr.
- WR, Jack Rummell, 6-0, 174, soph.
- WR, Jacob Paradee, 5-10, 164, gr.
- LT, Jeske Maples, 6-2, 263, sr.
- LG, Nick Fehrle, 6-3, 284, sr.
- C, Jerred Durrian, 6-2, 281, jr.
- RG, Sam Pryor, 6-0, 270, sr.
- RT, Ryan Kennelly, 6-5, 317, sr.
- SPECIALISTS
- K, Sean Ryniec, 6-0, 191, soph.
- H, Chip Dose, 6-2, 238, soph.
- SS, Oscar Morgan, 5-6, 196, sr.
- KR, Thomas Skokna, 5-9, 174, jr.
- DEFENSE
- DE, Bobby Medina, 6-0, 233, soph.
- DT, John Sullivan, 6-2, 280, jr.
- DT, Cortez Jones, 6-1, 276, soph.
- DE, Jacob Vincent, 6-4, 228, soph.
- LB, Zack Orr, 6-2, 198, gr.
- LB, Danny Nuccio, 6-0, 221, sr.
- LB, BJ Adamchik, 5-9, 212, gr.
- CB, Rahmareon Roby, 5-11, 184, jr.
- CB, Jahmar Daniel, 5-10, 169, jr.
- S, Will Vernon, 5-10, 188, sr.
- S, Brayden Garrigan, 5-8, 187, soph.
- SPECIALISTS
- KOS, Andre Casas, 5-10, 152, soph.
- P, Chip Dose, 6-2, 238, soph.
- LS, Oscar Morgan, 5-6, 196, sr.
- PR, Jacob Paradee, 5-10, 164, gr.
Five Mount Union players named D3football.com All-Americans
Mount Union has five selections on the 2024 D3football.com All-American Team.
Senior running back Tyler Echeverry, senior defensive end Rossy Moore and junior offensive guard Giovanni Kennedy are on the first team. Senior defensive tackle Von Factor is a second team selection. Junior defensive end Kaleb Brown made the third team.
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