2025 Mount Union bracket previews

We take you team-by-team through the NCAA playoff bracket!
Purple Raiders Mount Union Purple Raiders
Seed:No. 1 seed, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 2, Week 11 2025
Location: Alliance, Ohio
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 1768
Stadium: Mount Union Stadium (5450)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: OAC
Head coach: Geoff Dartt (Mount Union '08)
Career record: 66-4 (.943)
Base offense: Multiple/Pro style
Base defense: Multiple
Record in NCAA playoffs: 116-21 (1985-86, 1990, 1992-2019, 2021-24)
NCAA D-III championships: 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
466 129
How they got here: Automatic bid, OAC
You'll know they're playing well if:QB Mikey Maloney has all sorts of time to sit back and pick receivers, and when he doesn't, he turns a broken play into a big gainer on the ground. The defense gets its usual pressure with its front four and doesn't need to bring extras.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:Opposing teams can run the ball right at them and move the sticks with some regularity, such as Baldwin Wallace did, and Grove City did on occasion. The offense gets stagnant and other receivers aside from Davion Grant don't get involved as readily.
This season's turning point: On the season's second play from scrimmage, Maloney scampered down the right sideline for 55 yards to set up first and goal against Wheaton, and everyone knew that the prophecy was true: Maloney was no longer quarterback-in-waiting, but truly QB1.
NPI (rank):79.442 (1)
Rushing/passing yards per game:239.0/245.7
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 102.7/185.8
Yards per play/allowed per play:8.2/4.3
Leading passer:Mikey Maloney, 223.7 ypg
Leading rusher:Darnell Williams, 100.4 ypg
Leading receiver:Davion Grant, 79.0 ypg
Leading tackler:Weston Arthur, 64 (28 solo)
Leader in sacks:Kaleb Brown, 7.0
Leader in interceptions:Kosta Thrasivoulou and Ricky Levak, 3
How far can they go?Gotta get past North Central to get back to the Stagg Bowl.
Vikings Berry Vikings
Seed:No. 2 seed, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 17, 2025 Week 11
Location: Mount Berry, Georgia
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 2219
Stadium: Valhalla (5000)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: SAA
Head coach: Tony Kunczewski (Grove City)
Career record: 82-37 (.689)
Base offense: Multiple
Base defense: 4-3
Record in NCAA playoffs: 2-4 (2017-19, 2024)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
401 119
How they got here: Automatic bid, SAA
You'll know they're playing well if: The blitz package is disrupting the opposing offense and the defensive front, anchored by senior LBs Christopher Lewis and Carver Cole, is shutting down the run as it has in several of the Vikings’ biggest wins this season, holding six of its 10 opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards. The offense will flip between various formations with ease, utilizing an ultra-balanced attack that averages 217.2 yards per game on the ground and 199.4 through the air and is led by second-year starting QB Christian Lewis.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:The ground game can't find traction, as it did in the loss at Carnegie Mellon; Berry's lone game without a rushing TD this season. If that happens, it will put the offense in far too many third-and-long situations with more pressure on the passing game than they’re comfortable with. Also look for the defensive front to have limited success getting pressure in the backfield, as the pass defense becomes more vulnerable without sack opportunities. Berry has made explosive plays all year and not allowed them, so if that changes, that's a bad sign.
This season's turning point: Two weeks after taking a 17-9 loss at Carnegie Mellon, Berry pulled off a massive home win in SAA play, shutting out then-No. 16 Trinity in the second half of a 29-6 victory. That win put Berry in the driver's seat in the SAA title race, and the Vikings never looked back, winning their next five in convincing fashion to close the regular season.
NPI (rank):71.564 (8)
Rushing/passing yards per game:217.2/199.4
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 89.5/170.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:6.8/4.7
Leading passer:Christian Lewis, 133.3 ypg
Leading rusher:Colby Sikes, 53.9 ypg
Leading receiver:Nate Lyons, 37.8 ypg
Leading tackler:Christopher Lewis, 50 (22 solo)
Leader in sacks:Dawson Livingston, 5.0
Leader in interceptions:Chaz Pope, 3
How far can they go? This is set up for Berry for get to the quarterfinals, which is rarified air for this program.
Blue Streaks John Carroll Blue Streaks
Seed:No. 3 seed, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 9, Week 11 2025
Location: University Heights, Ohio
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 2187
Stadium: Don Shula Stadium at Wasmer Field (5418)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: NCAC
Head coach: Jeff Behrman (John Carroll '95)
Career record: 26-6 (.813), 68-26 (.723) overall
Base offense: Pro style
Base defense: 4-3
Record in NCAA playoffs: 10-8 (1989, 1997, 2002, 2013-2014, 2016, 2018, 2024)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
451 148
How they got here: Automatic bid, NCAC
You'll know they're playing well if:It's not just Tyren Montgomery, but a second wide receiver stepping up for Nick Semptimphelter. That could be TE Kenneth Rawls (7-109-1 vs. Wabash) or Shane Lindstrom (6-136 vs. DePauw). They are able to force the opponent to become one-dimension: Only Johns Hopkins, Wabash and DePauw ran for more than 50 yards on JCU, and none ran for even as many as 90.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:They leave points on the table in the red zone, whether missing on three or all six, and can't mount enough of a ground game to give Nick Semptimphelter time to really pick apart the defense on passing downs.
This season's turning point:Getting just enough defensive stops after the lightning delay and completing a 10-play, 77-yard two-minute drill for a twilight TD to defeat DePauw.
NPI (rank):70.109 (10)
Rushing/passing yards per game:200.7/263.7
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 33.3/184.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:7.3/4.0
Leading passer:Nick Semptimphelter, 253.4 ypg
Leading rusher:Nemo Jenkins, 66.5 ypg
Leading receiver:Tyren Montgomery, 108.8 ypg
Leading tackler:Kenny Grobolsek, 47 (19 solo)
Leader in sacks:Ben Day, 4.0
Leader in interceptions:Gino Blasini and Thomas Lamar, 2
How far can they go?Running into Mount Union nice and early to make up for not seeing them in the regular season. Bracketing with irony.
Tigers Trinity (Texas) Tigers
Seed:No. 4, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 21, Week 11 2025
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 2480
Stadium: Trinity Multi-Sport Stadium (3500)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: SAA
Head coach: Jerheme Urban (Trinity, Texas '03)
Career record: 88-31 (.739)
Base offense: Pro spread
Base defense: 4-2-5
Record in NCAA playoffs: 14-16 (1994, 1997-2005, 2007, 2011, 2021-24)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
378 120
How they got here: At-large bid
You'll know they're playing well if:It's all about Hondo. How is Tigers quarterback Hondo Franklin playing? He has been efficient for large stretches of the season, although Berry was able to limit his effectiveness downfield. Bottling up the opposing run game is key for the Tigers' defense.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:On either side of the ball, the run game on first down is key -- if they're not successful on offense on the ground on first down, or if they're giving up yards on first down on defense. Berry was also able to go over the top on the Trinity defense, as was Centre in key spots.
This season's turning point:Holding on at home on three consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter vs. Centre, including Jackson Priesmeyer and Jonathan Nwobodo getting the Colonels quarterback for a safety to end the final threat with 1:42 to play in a 19-14 win.
NPI (rank): 69.356 (11)
Rushing/passing yards per game:206.9/236.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 87.6/146.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:6.7/4.1
Leading passer:Hondo Franklin, 200.4 ypg
Leading rusher:Xadrian Huerta, 54.4 ypg
Leading receiver:Alejandro Tavarez, 79.8 ypg
Leading tackler:TJ Scannell, 75 (33 solo)
Leader in sacks:Jonathan Nwobodo, 5.0
Leader in interceptions:Jaden Powell and Kody Brown, 4
How far can they go?Unless they've learned quite a lot since Oct. 11, their progress in this bracket is likely capped.
Cowboys Hardin-Simmons Cowboys
Seed:No. 5, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 14, Week 11 2025
Location: Abilene, Texas
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 1227
Stadium: Shelton Stadium (4000)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: ASC
Head coach: Jesse Burleson (Hardin-Simmons)
Career record: 116-35 (.768)
Base offense: One-back spread
Base defense: 3-3-5
Record in NCAA playoffs: 4-12 (1999-2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2015-18, 2022-24)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
452 176
How they got here: Automatic bid, ASC
You'll know they're playing well if:RB Noah Garcia has plenty of running room behind HSU's veteran offensive line, carrying the offense down the field with steady gains and allowing Kyle Brown to throw it only when the numbers are in the Cowboys' favor. The defense will be stout against the run, winning the battle in the trenches and forcing third-and-long early and often. They'll also force a few turnovers to set up short fields for the offense; HSU is 7-1 when winning the turnover battle this season and plus-6 on turnovers over its last three games.
You'll know they're playing poorly if: Brown is under consistent duress, impacting the effectiveness of the passing game and the ability of HSU's receiving corps to stretch the field. Look for the defense to give up a few too many explosive plays through the air — something they struggled with in the Week 10 loss to UMHB — and allow multiple drives to reach the red zone; an area of the field where they've had only one takeaway and given up points 77.7% of the time.
This season's turning point:The 34-7 win at home over longtime ASC rival Mary Hardin-Baylor in Week 5. While HSU was 4-0 to that point, it was the first true statement win from the Cowboys, who got a shutout for three quarters from the defense and 215 rushing yards from the offense. While they split the season series with UMHB, that 27-point victory gave HSU an inside track to the ASC's automatic bid and their fourth-straight playoff appearance.
NPI (rank):69.097 (12)
Rushing/passing yards per game:207.5/261.4
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 99.4/195.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:6.9/4.7
Leading passer:Kyle Brown, 243.7 ypg
Leading rusher:Noah Garcia, 88.8 ypg
Leading receiver:Wes Douglas, 63.2 ypg
Leading tackler:Kaiden Roden, 73 (30 solo)
Leader in sacks:Hayden Hays, 4.0
Leader in interceptions:Four way tie with 2
How far can they go?This team has been inconsistent and it's possible to win anywhere from zero to two games in this bracket.
Yellow Jackets Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets
Seed:No. 6, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 20, Week 11 2025
Location: Ashland, Virginia
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 1455
Stadium: Day Field (4000)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: ODAC
Head coach: Pedro Arruza (Wheaton '95)
Career record: 156-72 (.684)
Base offense: Power spread
Base defense: 4-3
Record in NCAA playoffs: 6-7 (1984, 2008, 20162, 2018, 2022-24)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
378 125
How they got here: Automatic bid, ODAC
You'll know they're playing well if:They're winning the time of possession battle convincingly. R-MC's run-heavy offense is exceptional at wearing down the opposing defensive front, and if they’re considerably ahead in TOP, it means they’re putting enough of those gains together for a handful of lengthy scoring drives. Of course, it also means the defense is coming up with plenty of three-and-outs, something that unit has done consistently since Week 1. R-MC is 5-0 this season when holding possession for 10-plus more minutes than its opponent.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:QB Dante Casciola is the one leading the team in carries, because that signifies veteran RBs Cameron Chatman and Mitchell Johnson don't have much running room and Casciola is being forced to scramble more than usual. You'll also notice it if the defense is quiet in the turnover battle. Considering R-MC is plus-21 in turnover margin and tied for third nationally in interceptions, failing to come up with at least a couple takeaways would lend itself to a difficult day for the Yellow Jackets.
This season's turning point:When Randolph-Macon marched down the field on a game-opening, 16-play, 75-yard drive in an eventual 24-6 win over Washington & Lee. Facing a hard-nosed defense two weeks after being shut out at Central, the Yellow Jacket offense finally looked to be in rhythm, taking over nine minutes off the clock behind its steady run game. R-MC then followed that up by scoring no fewer than 31 points in each of its next six games.
NPI (rank):67.733 (19)
Rushing/passing yards per game:231.3/137.4
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 58.9/183.7
Yards per play/allowed per play:5.8/4.1
Leading passer:Dante Casciola, 89.5 ypg
Leading rusher:Mitchell Johnson, 63.7 ypg
Leading receiver:Jason Moore, 43.9 ypg
Leading tackler:Daniel Eliasek, 60 (17 solo)
Leader in sacks:Tim Semisch, 5.5
Leader in interceptions:Christian Daniel, 4
How far can they go?We underestimated Randolph-Macon the last time they went to John Carroll for a playoff opener. Since then, the Yellow Jackets have been a fairly consistent playoff presence and nobody should underestimate their second-round chances this year.
Panthers LaGrange Panthers
Seed:No. 7 seed, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: Never ranked
Location: LaGrange, Georgia
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 561
Stadium: Callaway Stadium (5200)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: USAC
Head coach: Wesley Dodson (Western Michigan)
Career record: 15-14 (.517)
Base offense: Multiple
Base defense: 3-3-5
Record in NCAA playoffs: 0-1 (2008)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
322 176
How they got here: Automatic bid, USA South
You'll know they're playing well if:The defense is coming up with interceptions, setting the offense up with especially favorable field position. The Panther secondary has the third-most interceptions in the country, and they are 5-0 when winning the turnover battle. Offensively, look for the ball to be in the hands of tailbacks Michael Hays and Tacaris Bozeman with LaGrange marching down the field, as both ballcarriers run downhill with explosive speed that starts at the line of scrimmage.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:The defense can't get off the field on third down. LaGrange has been fairly sharp on that side of the ball, but in their closer games in league play and loss to Berry, the opposing offense converted at least five third downs. Offensively, the passing game will be shaky, with a couple untimely interceptions mixed in.
This season's turning point: A 20-6 home win over Centre in Week 3. Not only did it mark the Panthers' first D-III win of the season, over a quality SAA opponent, but it came a week after being shut out by Berry, 48-0, providing a much-needed confidence boost heading into USA South action. LaGrange then went 7-0 in conference play, booking its trip to the playoffs for the first time since winning the SLIAC in 2008.
NPI (rank):66.639 (25)
Rushing/passing yards per game:162.9/231.5
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 73.1/183.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:6.2/4.2
Leading passer:Henry Brodnax, 219.9 ypg
Leading rusher:Michael Hays, 64.3 ypg
Leading receiver:Ashton Bryant, 53.3 ypg
Leading tackler:Ched Smith, 61 (47 solo)
Leader in sacks:Deon King Jr., 7.5
Leader in interceptions:Brandon Brooks and Legend Doggett, 4
How far can they go?They can go on a long plane trip, and then a short drive.
Mules Muhlenberg Mules
Seed:No. 8 seed, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 24, Week 8 2025
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 1747
Stadium: Scotty Wood Stadium (3000)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: CC
Head coach: Nate Milne (Hobart '03)
Career record: 68-15 (.819)
Base offense: Spread/11 personnel
Base defense: 3-3-5
Record in NCAA playoffs: 9-10 (2002-04, 2007-08, 2014, 2018-19, 2021)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
356 242
How they got here: At-large bid (10th of 13)
You'll know they're playing well if: The boot and play action game is working well, especially in the red zone and third down. Muhlenberg has converted on 42 of its 46 red zone opportunities, with 41 of them being touchdowns. And they continue to use multiple ball-carriers well. Nobody has had more than 15 carries in a game this year for the Mules. On defense, they are able to stop the run, particularly on first down.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:They are not able to sustain long drives offensively and are solely dependent upon explosive plays. Their defense is in third and short situations a lot - they thrive on third and long. Johns Hopkins averaged 9.9 yards on 20 first-down runs against Muhlenberg and only faced third-and-6 or longer four times all day in the teams' Week 9 meeting.
This season's turning point: Being able to bounce back and win twice to close the season, end at 8-2, and remain in position for an at-large bid.
NPI (rank): 66.043 (27)
Rushing/passing yards per game:172.1/219.8
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 123.6/250.4
Yards per play/allowed per play:6.0/5.5
Leading passer:Luke Spang, 127.0 ypg
Leading rusher:Matthew Manning, 45.3 ypg
Leading receiver:Caleb Pasols, 55.5 ypg
Leading tackler:Thomas Cerruti, 84 (40 solo)
Leader in sacks:Joseph Para, 5.0
Leader in interceptions:Aaron Sylvester, 3
How far can they go?Not room to make too much progress in this bracket.
Garnet Chargers Union Garnet Chargers
Seed:No. 9, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: No. 21, 2021 final
Location: Schenectady, N.Y.
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 2057
Stadium: Frank Bailey FIeld (5000)
Playing surface: Turf
Conference: LL
Head coach: Jon Drach (Western Michigan '04)
Career record: 11-9 (.550), 43-29 (.597) overall
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 4-2-5
Record in NCAA playoffs: 11-13 (1983-86, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2005-06, 2019, 2023)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
251 162
How they got here: Automatic bid, LL
You'll know they're playing well if:Patch Flanagan is having a big day. The senior quarterback is what makes this Union offense go, leading the team in both passing and rushing yards, and when he is at his best, the rest of the Union offense usually is too. The defense will get to the quarterback, tallying multiple sacks as it did in key wins over Ithaca and RPI, and disrupting the timing of the opponent's passing game.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:Flanagan can't find much running room and the turnovers pile up for the offense. At least one of those two factors have been present in Union’s most challenging outings this season. And on the other side of the ball, they won’t keep the run game at bay, leading to long drives with few passes, negating the impact of a Union secondary that tallied 34 pass breakups through the regular season.
This season's turning point:Francesco Pileggi drilled a 32-yard go-ahead field goal through the uprights at Ithaca's Butterfield Stadium with three seconds left, breaking a 14-14 tie and lifting Union to an impactful road win in the Liberty League title race. The Week 6 victory was Union's first over an opponent with a record above .500, and added weight to what was then a five-game win streak.
NPI (rank):62.957 (42)
Rushing/passing yards per game:174.7/194.194
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 120.1/174.0
Yards per play/allowed per play:5.7/5.0
Leading passer:Patch Flanagan, 182.7 ypg
Leading rusher:Patch Flanagan, 89.1 ypg
Leading receiver:Gil Rivera, 57.3 ypg
Leading tackler:John Droggitis, 71 (34 solo)
Leader in sacks:Jordan Black and Logan Miller, 4.5
Leader in interceptions:Ryan Grenier and Trey Rezendes III, 2
How far can they go?The Garnet Chargers are on enough of a roll that they could really annoy broadcasters in the second round and set up a Union-Mount Union game.
Rams Framingham State Rams
Seed:No. 10 seed, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking: Never ranked
Location: Framingham, Massachusetts
Enrollment (FT undergrads): 2319
Stadium: Bowditch Field (1500)
Playing surface: Grass
Conference: MASCAC
Head coach: Tom Kelley
Career record: 128-78-1 (.621)
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 4-2-5
Record in NCAA playoffs: 0-6 (2012-13, 2015, 2018-2019, 2021)
NCAA D-III championships: None

D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news

Points for Points against
258 245
How they got here: Automatic bid, MASCAC
You'll know they're playing well if:The passing attack is on point. This is an offense that relies heavily on QB Michael Marcucella and the receiving corps to produce short, steady gains, with 107 of the Rams' 196 first downs in the regular season coming through the air. Defensively, the Rams will come up with consistent third-down stops while also forcing multiple fumbles.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:They can't stop the run. The Rams have had difficulty matching up against run-heavy offenses, and gave up 220-plus yards on the ground in both of their MASCAC losses. Also look for the offense to get off to a slow start, with a lack of rhythm in the passing game leading to unfavorable third-and-long situations.
This season's turning point:The defense forced Worcester State into a missed field goal to open the third quarter in the regular season finale, putting the ball in the hands of the offense, who then drove 48 yards for touchdown. That sequence ignited a second half comeback, as FSU erased the 21-7 halftime deficit in an eventual 28-27 win that earned the Rams the MASCAC AQ and a trip to the playoffs.
NPI (rank): 55.519 (79)
Rushing/passing yards per game:85.1/236.5
Rushing/passing yards allowed: 120.8/161.1
Yards per play/allowed per play:5.1/4.6
Leading passer:Michael Marcucella, 179.8 ypg
Leading rusher:Jaheim Daniels, 61.2 ypg
Leading receiver:Mathias Fowler, 37.2 ypg
Leading tackler:Blake Barron, 64 (46 solo)
Leader in sacks:Kymauny Roland, 3.0
Leader in interceptions:Devine Johnson, 2
How far can they go?A win here would be a surprise.