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Mount Union knocked off

ALLIANCE — For the first time in 25 years, the Mount Union football team won’t be playing in a national semifinal.

The No. 2-ranked Purple Raiders were stunned, 59-52, by fifth-ranked North Central in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs at Mount Union Stadium.

North Central quarterback Broc Rutter threw for 522 yards and five touchdowns, four of those to Andrew Kamienski, who caught 12 passes for 256 yards as the Cardinals advance to next week’s quarterfinal.

The two teams combined for 1,412 yards, with Mount Union (11-1) outgaining North Central (11-1), 713-699.

Mount Union senior quarterback D’Angelo Fulford set an NCAA playoff record with 688 yards of total offense. He threw for 549 yards (23-of-35) with four touchdowns and rushed for 139 yards and two scores. His second interception of the season happened on the Purple Raiders final offensive snap as he threw a ball into the North Central end zone from 16 yards out with two seconds left in the game.

The loss marks the first time Mount Union hasn’t advanced to at least the national semifinal since 1994.

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