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Nine things to know about Mount Union's homecoming football game vs. Heidelberg

tim rogers
·4 min read

The game

Mount Union (4-0, 3-0 Ohio Athletic Conference) plays host to Heidelberg (4-1, 3-1) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Kehres Stadium. It is homecoming weekend at Mount Union.

Mount Union's Jay Farra (13) leaps over defenders during a punt return during first-half action at Ohio Northern University Saturday, October 1, 2022.
Mount Union's Jay Farra (13) leaps over defenders during a punt return during first-half action at Ohio Northern University Saturday, October 1, 2022.

If you go / On the air

All tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/2021/7/23/tickets.asp. No cash will be accepted at the gate or at ticket booths. The game will be broadcast on WPDN-AM (1310) and WRMU-FM (91.1).

More:Mount Union's Kaleb Detellem is a quiet force on the Purple Raiders' football squad

The rankings

Mount Union remains ranked second in the nation in the two meaningful polls, the American Football Coaches and D3football.com. Heidelberg is not ranked but received seven votes in the AFCA poll and four votes in the D3football.com poll.

More:Mount Union football standout Matt Lilja is named to Allstate Good Works Team

The coaches

Geoff Dartt is 21-1 in his third season at Mount Union. Scott Donaldson is 39-20 in his seventh season at Heidelberg.

More:Mount Union 'M Club' announces hall of fame class and special award winners

The series

Mount Union leads the series, 52-13, and has won the last 33 games. Heidelberg’s last victory came on Sept. 24, 1988, 21-14. Mount Union won last year's game, 49-14.

About Heidelberg

Mount Union's Wayne Ruby (6) scores a touchdown as ONU's Dwayne Rowe defends during first-half action at Ohio Northern University Saturday, October 1, 2022.
Mount Union's Wayne Ruby (6) scores a touchdown as ONU's Dwayne Rowe defends during first-half action at Ohio Northern University Saturday, October 1, 2022.

The Student Princes bounced back from a 24-7 loss to John Carroll with a 42-21 victory over Muskingum last week. Senior quarterback Bridger Cline, from Killbuck (near Millersburg) made his first career start a semi-successful one by completing 9-of-16 passes for 82 yards against one interception. However, it was senior Chayne Treharn (Massillon Perry) who had the most productive game by completing 7-of-10 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. The defense, led by Massillon Perry graduate Zachary Blackiston, senior safety Griffin Pendry and junior Easton St. Clair, has held opponents to 11 points per game while the ground-oriented offense is scoring 30 points a game. Blackiston has been one of the OAC’s best defenders over the last four-plus years and is Heidelberg’s all-time sacks leader with 27. He has nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss this year. St. Clair, from Detroit, is the team co-leader in tackles with 35 and has two interceptions. Pendry, an All-American last season, is this week’s OAC defensive player of the week for making eight tackles, breaking up two passes and forcing one fumble, which was turned into a touchdown six plays later. While senior Yearby Montavious leads the team with 384 yards rushing, Massillon native Jarin Curtis is getting solid playing time behind Montavious and junior TJ Rahmy.

About Mount Union

The Purple Raiders just keep rolling along, having posted three shutouts in four games and averaging 56 points ― second in the nation ― and 587 yards per game. They rank first in the OAC in practically every meaningful offensive and defensive statistic, which usually is the case. The defense leads the nation in points allowed per game at a ridiculous 1.75 per game. Dartt was pleased with how the running game blossomed for the first time this season against Ohio Northern as senior DeAndre Parker gained 182 yards on 18 carries. Receiver Wayne Ruby Jr. continues to torch (or torture) secondaries OAC-wide. He caught nine passes for 153 yards and tied a career-best with four TD receptions last week. The senior from Pembrooke Pines, Fla. leads all Division III receivers with 11 touchdown receptions and stands sixth with 584 yards.

What to watch for

Can Mount Union’s prolific passing game solve Heidelberg’s defense? Without question, the Raiders will have to game-plan for Blackiston, St. Clair, Pendry & Co. Dartt has enormous respect for the Berg’s athletic defense and feels Blackiston is one of the most effective defenders in the conference.

What you might not know

Mount Union head coach Geoff Dartt on the sidelines during the first game of the year against Defiance College Saturday afternoon, September 3, 2022 at Kehres Stadium.
Mount Union head coach Geoff Dartt on the sidelines during the first game of the year against Defiance College Saturday afternoon, September 3, 2022 at Kehres Stadium.

Dartt and Heidelberg offensive coordinator Jason Lewis are best friends. They played against one another in high school and together on two Division III national championships teams at Mount Union. Their friendship was maintained after college as they were in each other’s weddings. They talk at least once a week … except this week.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Mount Union takes on Heidelberg in an OAC football game on Saturday