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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Small colleges: Burke guides Mount Union into D-III title game

Associated Press

With 1:38 remaining in the game, Mount Union quarterback Kevin Burke led the offense on a game-winning drive in the snow to give the Purple Raiders (14-0) a 41-40 win over North Central (Ill.) in the NCAA Division III semifinal in Alliance, Ohio.

Burke completed 12 of his 19 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, but he burned North Central (13-1) with his feet, gaining 131 yards and two TDs on 28 carries.

The Raiders were down 40-35 when they took the field late in the fourth following a 1-yard TD run from Cardinals’ Matt Randolph, who finished the day with 20 carries for 68 yards and three scores.

Wisconsin-Whitewater 16, Mary Hardin-Baylor 15: Jordan Ratliffe ran for 100 yards and two TDs and Matt Behrendt passed for 197 yards to lead the Warhawks (14-0) to a victory over the Crusaders (13-1) in Belton, Texas.

The Warhawks rallied from a 12-0 first-half deficit to reach the national championship game where they will face Mount Union on Friday.

Division II semifinals

Lenoir-Rhyne 42, West Chester 14: Quarterback Josh Justice ran for 175 yards and three TDs to carry the Bears (13-1) into the national championship game with a win over the Golden Rams (13-2) in rain-soaked Hickory, N.C.

Lenoir-Rhyne had 451 yards rushing and did not attempt a pass in the rain.

Northwest Missouri State 27, Grand Valley State 13: Reuben Thomas caught seven passes for 143 yards and two TDs to elevate the Bearcats (14-0) to a win over the Lakers (12-3) in a semifinal game in Maryville, Mo.

The national championship game between Northwest Missouri Valley and Lenoir-Rhyne is set for Saturday, in Florence, Ala.