By Clyde Hughes
D3sports.com

It could be viewed as a recurring playoff nightmare for one of the most successful Division III programs over the last 10 years in Wheaton.

That's the Thunder rolling through the playoffs only to meet their nemesis -- the Mount Union Purple Raiders. Since No.1 ranked Mount Union (13-0) has won nine national titles and has reached the Stagg Bowl for the past three years, one could say the Purple Raiders are equal opportunity tormentors.

For coach Mike Swider and Wheaton (11-2), though, it almost seems personal. The Thunder is 9-0 against everyone it has played in the Division III playoffs, except Mount Union. Wheaton is 0-5 and remains the only team the Thunder has lost to in the current playoff format. That includes a 35-3 loss in 2006 in the second round of the playoffs.

No. 24-ranked Wheaton returns to the scene of the crimes, Alliance, Ohio, this Saturday in the national semifinals as the Thunder will try again to knock off Mount Union.

But Swider said he doesn't think past records, past seasons or revenge are proper or viable motivation for his football team. Even though his seniors were around the last time the Thunder played Mount, it's a new season and a new team and in that another chance to win the big one against the biggest team in Division III.

"The critics don't count," Swider said. "It about those guys who have the courage to line up. That's what athletics is all about. Vendettas and revenge are not good motivators and it's not the reason we play the game. We play the game to see if we can compete and if we're good enough. It's the process that's so excited. In the process, we never use revenge or get-back."

Wheaton has the challenge of trying to stop arguably the top Division III program in football on its home field. That team features an All-American running back Nate Kmic who has already shattered the career record for most yards by a Division III back and has gone for more than 200 yards in four straight games.

Swider said probably the most important thing for his team to do is forget -- forget about last big play or big mistake and stay engaged in the moment.

"You can't be someone who remembers the last play," Swider said. "The great thing about Mount is if something happens in the game -- good or bad -- it doesn't faze them."

One thing that may be on Wheaton's side is that their defense is becoming accustomed to stopping, or at least, slowing down big-time players, like in the Thunder's 45-28 victory over Franklin in the quarterfinals last Saturday.

Franklin's All-American quarterback Chad Rupp passed for 289 yards and rushed for 130 more against Wheaton's defense, but the Thunder picked off Rupp three times. The first interception, by cornerback Pete Ittersagen was returned 52 yards for Wheaton's first touchdown.

When Rupp led Franklin to a touchdown in the third quarter to threaten to take the game's momentum, it was Ittersagen again who returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and to give Wheaton a three-score advantage.

"We didn't stop (Rupp) but we managed to slow him down a little," Swider said. "No one was going to really shut him down. Kmic is a great player. He's going to get his yards. No one's going to be able to stop him but we want to slow him down a little and give us a chance to win the game."

Mount Union coach Larry Kehres said he is well aware of Ittersagen and his game-breaking ability. He said it's something that the Purple Raiders will be looking for.

"When you catch a kickoff and punt, you're in open space and he is very dangerous there," Kehres said. "We will plan particularly to deal with his talent, but I'm sure Franklin did and Wabash did and the plan didn't work. You have to give him his due and be prepared for the fact that he might score a touchdown or two as a defensive player and return specialist, but you have to overcome that if it happens."

Kehres said he's not awfully impressed with his team's 5-0 playoff record against Wheaton, either. He said he believes the Thunder will give the Purple Raiders a stiff challenge.

"They have a very diversified offense and they are running the ball really well out of a two tight end formation," Kehres said. "That sets up the play-action pass. When they get into second-and-long, third-and-long situations, they can go to an open offense with three dynamic receivers they have been successful there, too."

Kehres had a lot of praise for Wheaton quarterback Sean Norris, who threw two touchdown passes against Franklin, and tailback Rocky Gingg, who rushed for 145 yards on 26 carries in the snow last Saturday. Gingg left Saturday's game with an injury and his availability is in question.

"(Norris) has great feet and makes a lot of plays," Kehres said. "We think he's a really good quarterback. (Gingg) is a real powerful pounder. It's hard to keep him under a 4-yard gain. He has a very physical nature."

Swider said his offense, though, can't afford to turn the ball over against Mount Union and, like last Saturday, will need to make something happen in special teams to have a shot at Mount Union. He said the Thunder will have to run and pass equally well to keep the Purple Raiders honest.

"I think they are a solid football team," Swider said. "I look at Mount Union and I don't see any weaknesses. A lot of people will have to play well for us to win this game. It's a daunting task."

But it's not the first daunting task Wheaton has faced this postseason.