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| Tyler Echeverry picked up big yards for Mount Union against Johns Hopkins, whether the snow was flying or not. Photo Matt Durisko/Magnolia Media PA, for D3sports.com |
By Greg Thomas
D3sports.com
Tyler Echeverry's 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed Mount Union's 23rd trip to the Stagg Bowl as the Purple Raiders solved the Johns Hopkins defense on the way to a 45-37 win in the first of two 2024 Division III football national semifinals.
Mount Union set the tone early, scoring twice in the first quarter while converting all three of its fourth-down attempts. Darnell Williams opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown run, and Tyler Echeverry added a 13-yard touchdown to cap off another drive. Johns Hopkins briefly leveled the score at 7-7 with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended in Geoff Schroeder's 1-yard touchdown run, but the Blue Jays struggled to contain Mount Union's ground game, which tallied 72 yards in the first quarter alone. Hopkins had allowed just 87 rushing yards total in their three previous playoff games.
The second quarter was a series of opportunities and calculated risks by both teams. Mount Union extended its lead to 17-7 with a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Hopkins gambled on fourth down, converting a fourth-and-2 on its own 22-yard line late in the half. The gamble paid off as they marched 87 yards, culminating in a 9-yard touchdown pass from James Rinello to Cole Crotty. The Blue Jays' extra point was blocked and Mount Union went to the break with a 17-13 lead.
Johns Hopkins opened the third quarter by nearly taking the lead when a pass to Crotty just went off his fingertips. The Blue Jays settled for a 48-yard field goal from JP Furman, making the score 17-16 in favor of the Purple Raiders. The response from Mount Union was an emphatic 11-play, 95-yard drive finished by quarterback TJ DeShields' 4-yard touchdown run that pushed the Purple Raider lead to 24-16.
The third quarter scoring was just getting started as Rinello connected with Crotty on a 59-yard touchdown pass to pull Johns Hopkins within two points at 24-22 after a failed two-point conversion. Mount Union's Shaun Thomas answered with a 24-yard touchdown run, breaking three tackles along the way. Rinello's 4-yard rushing touchdown brought Johns Hopkins back within striking distance at 31-29, but the Blue Jays would get no closer.
Mount Union's defense and efficiency on fourth down were the keys in the final quarter. Echeverry's 9-yard touchdown run extended the lead to 38-29 with under seven minutes to play. A pivotal sack by Von Factor on a Johns Hopkins fourth-down attempt gave the Purple Raiders the ball back, and Echeverry delivered the dagger with his 54-yard touchdown run up the sideline to seal the victory.
Mount Union's balanced attack produced 518 yards of total offense as the Purple Raiders passed for 249 yards and ran for269. Echeverry had 183 yards on 25 carries and scored three times while DeShields passed for 218 yards and ran for a score.Darnell Williams added 158 all-purpose yards and scored the game's first touchdown. Mount Union's defense recorded five sacks, including two from Von Factor.
Johns Hopkins' offense totaled 531 yards in the defeat. Rinello accounted for plenty, throwing for 393 yards and three touchdowns while adding 65 on the ground and another score. Crotty was his favorite target, catching eight balls for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
With the victory, Mount Union moves on to the Stagg Bowl in search of a 14th national championship in program history.