OSHKOSH, Wis. - For the 12th time in the last 13 years, Mount Union will play for the NCAA Division III national championship.
The Purple Raiders (14-0) overcame a 35-10 third quarter deficit to shock the Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans 43-40 on the road. Quarterback D'Angelo Fulford led the way with 376 total yards and 2 total touchdowns, while Josh Petruccelli added 127 yards and 2 scores on the ground.
Down by 25 with just under 10 minutes to play in the third, Fulford took over, tossing a 3-yard TD pass to Luke Herrington and then taking it in himself from 13 yards out on the next drive. Then, an Oshkosh fumble gave Mount Union the ball at the Titan 13, and a pass interference penalty set up a Jawanza Evans-Morris score, making it a five-point game heading into the fourth.
Oshkosh (12-1) maintained a 40-36 lead with under six minutes remaining until another Evans-Morris touchdown gave the Purple Raiders their first lead since the second quarter. Both teams traded punts on their next two drives, but the Titans had one more chance, and two clutch passes from Brett Kasper set up a 45-yard field goal attempt by Turner Geisthardt to force overtime. However, Geishardt's kick fell short, and Mount Union celebrated its epic comeback.
The Purple Raiders will try to win their 13th national championship at next Friday's Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia. They will face either Brockport or defending champion Mary Hardin-Baylor.
