Purple Preview: No. 2 Mount Union Opens Season with Top-20 Clash
Mount Union opens its season with a top-20 clash as the Purple Raiders chase another national title.
The #2 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team is set to kick off its season at home against #17 Wheaton College, with the game starting at 1:00 PM.
The Purple Raiders are coming off a strong 14-1 season, during which they went 9-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). They reached their NCAA-record 23rd Stagg Bowl appearance but fell short, losing to North Central College by a score of 41-25. This season, they are determined to bounce back and put themselves in contention for the national title once again, aiming to bring home the coveted 14th national championship in program history, and their first since 2017.
There is a lot of excitement and energy around the team, which has been ramping up as they head into game week. The players and coaches are fired up and ready to execute their game plan on the field, aiming to start the season with a high-quality victory. This matchup features a top-20-ranked battle against the Thunder. The Purple Raiders are currently ranked 2nd in the country, while Wheaton holds the 17th spot in the AFCA poll rankings.
"A ton of energy," said Mount Union head coach Geoff Dartt regarding the team's energy. "A ton of excitement. I really like how we've been practicing. The team has come together throughout camp, and really, you know, leveled up their focus going into game week, so excited for a great environment, and excited to watch our guys play."
Dartt is entering his sixth season as the head coach of Mount Union, boasting a remarkable record of 56 wins and four losses. Defensive coordinator Daryl Ely is in his fifth year in this role and has been part of the staff for 15 years.
At the helm for the Purple Raiders this season is redshirt freshman QB Mikey Maloney, who played in three games last season as a freshman and threw for a touchdown. Maloney possesses talent and the potential to be an elite dual-threat quarterback for the next four seasons at Mount Union. In his first season as a starter, he will have an elite supporting cast.
Running backs Darnell Williams and Shaun Thomas are returning for the Purple Raiders. They played vital roles last season, contributing not only as running backs but also on special teams. At tight end, Matt Anderson is back, and Wyatt Stiehl, who played for the team in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to USF for the 2024 season, has also returned. The Purple Raiders have brought in two talented receivers through the transfer portal: Davion Grant and Jacob Cockrell. Additionally, Nick Turner is returning for his senior season and has developed into a dependable target over the past few years.
All-American Giovanni Kennedy anchors the offensive line at left guard. The Purple Raiders' offensive line is committed to winning the battle up front each week and leading their team to victories.
Wheaton's defense is bolstered by the return of two All-Americans for their senior seasons: defensive end Peter Johanik and linebacker Luca Torti. Both players are capable of disrupting games, consistently making impactful plays, and understanding where they need to be on the field at the right moments.
Wheaton's offense is bolstered by senior quarterback Mark Forcucci, who is returning after an impressive 2024 season. He possesses the skill to make difficult throws from the far hashmark to the sideline and can extend plays with his legs. He is one of the top returning starting quarterbacks in Division III this season.
Wheaton lost their top receiver and running back from last season, but they have plenty of talent ready to step up, so it will not be an easy task.
Defensively, the Purple Raiders are set to welcome back All-American defensive end Kaleb Brown for his senior season. Following a breakout campaign in 2023, Brown has established himself as one of the most dominant players in college football over the past few seasons, and 2025 is expected to be no different. Additionally, safety Jerry Cooper Jr. has transitioned from receiver to the secondary this offseason, where he will play a crucial role for Mount Union this season.
"We got a lot of new faces, so I'm excited to see them," said Mount Union defensive coordinator Daryl Ely. "I think a lot of guys have done a great job throughout the off-season, working out in the spring, and then carrying it into fall camp. So I am very excited to see what they show up in the field on Saturday."
Keenan Cruz and Caleb Rinard will provide senior experience at linebacker, while Connor Adelman, Davis Nye, and Kosta Thrasivoulou (transfer) will offer veteran leadership in the secondary, along with Spur (safety/linebacker hybrid) Weston Arthur. Several players defensively will be first-time starters, but they've developed to be in that position and are ready to make a permanent impact.
Sophomores Zack Liebler and Gabe Gannelli will play vital roles for the team this season, both of whom are poised to start. Liebler started as a freshman last season and not only held his own but consistently made plays.
The Purple Raiders concluded their week by focusing on the little details, fine-tuning their game plan, and preparing to execute for their upcoming game.
“Definitely dialed in on the little details," said Dartt. "I am excited to see that from a player-led program. And you know, like I said before, I think that they're ready to execute, and we as the coaching staff are confident in that and excited to watch them play.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST. The game will be streamed on FloSports and broadcast live on 91.1 WRMU.