Heading into 2012, the Mount Union senior football players were in danger of being the first incoming class since 1989 to leave without winning a national title, but with hard work, dedication and pride -- the Purple Raiders accomplished their mission by bringing an 11th National Championship back to campus with a 28-10 victory over the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) in Stagg Bowl XL.
Mount Union bested its own NCAA all-division record for points scored in a season racking up 792 points averaging 52.8 points per game while on defense the Raiders were the nation's top ranked unit allowing just 182.6 yards and 8.9 points per game.
Sophomore quarterback Kevin Burke earned All-American honors as the nation's top rated passer as he completed 69-percent of his passes for 3,772 yards with 38 touchdowns. Â His top receiver was All-American senior Jasper Collins, who had 92 catches for 1,694 yards with 22 touchdowns -- a record 11 of those coming during the NCAA Playoffs. Â Burke also rushed for 776 yards as part of a balanced ground attack. Â Senior running back T.J. Lattimore had 1,018 yards and 14 touchdowns behind an offensive line that featured five seniors -- three of them All-Americans (Antonio Tate, Matt Mattox, Mac Knisely).
All-American senior safety Nick Driskill had a team-high 101 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss to lead the defense. Â Fellow All-American senior in linebacker Charles Dieuseul had 89 stops with 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Â The defensive line duo of senior Frank Orteca and junior Matt Fechko combined for 106 tackles while senior defensive back Isaiah Scott had seven interceptions.
