What we learned from DelVal's NCAA quarterfinal loss to Mount Union

DOYLESTOWN — Delaware Valley University enjoyed some memorable moments Saturday afternoon, but Mount Union had more and made them count.

The Purple Raiders scored on their first possession of each half and the defense did the rest in downing the Aggies 22-6 at James Work Stadium in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal playoff game at James Work Memorial Stadium.

Thirteen-time national champion Mount Union (13-0) will face Wartburg, a 45-17 winner over Aurora, in next Saturday's semifinals. DelVal, whose senior class is the winningest in school history with 43 victories, ends it season at 12-1.

"I'm disappointed, like everyone else," said Delaware Valley head coach Duke Greco. "They started real fast and then, defensively, we were really, really good from that point on."

DelVal's defense played well, but the offense only managed one touchdown against the Mount Union defense, which is ranked No. 1 overall in the nation. The Purple Raiders' "D" repeatedly did the job despite five personal-foul penalties, allowing only a 24-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Louie Barrios IV to junior receiver Tahmir Barksdale, an Archbishop Wood graduate, to complete an eight-play, 87-yard drive in the third quarter.

"We knew we were going to have to anchor down," said senior Mount Union defensive tackle Duke Hill, who blocked a punt and had three tackles. "We knew it was going to be a physical game. It came down to making the plays and we made them when we were supposed to."

Geoff Dartt, who is 30-1 in his three years as Mount Union head coach, called a deep pass from senior quarterback Braxton Plunk to senior receiver Wayne Ruby on the first play after DelVal scored. It went for 36 yards down the right sideline and quieted the Aggies' crowd.

"I trust our guys," Dartt said. "We're aggressive on offense (and) we're aggressive on defense. ... Our whole plan was to try to keep them off-balance."

Ruby gave DelVal trouble all day, accumulating 143 yards on 10 catches and a touchdown, which was his 27th of the season. That is the most scoring receptions at all levels of college football. Plunk threw two more TD passes, giving him 46 to lead all of Division III in 2022.

"Wayne does a good job finding space, finding different ways to get open," Plunk said. "He's very slippery and very smart. ... He did a great job today and he's an awesome player."

The Aggies' best chance of the first half occurred on a 96-yard drive late in the second quarter, only to come up empty when Barrios was sacked on fourth and 2.

DelVal senior defensive lineman Michael Nobile registered 1½ sacks, increasing his career total of tackles for loss to 95. Aggies senior safety Blaine Netterman added a key stop on fourth and goal from the 1-foot line early in the final quarter.

"We had a really good game plan," Nobile said. "We felt like we can go toe to toe with anyone in the country. I feel like we're the best front seven in the country. They did a little bit more today."

Here's what else we learned Saturday:

Location, location, location

If you're wondering why the game was played in Doylestown and not Alliance, Ohio, given Mount Union being ranked higher than DelVal (No. 2 vs. No. 8), here is the apparent reason why.

The NCAA doesn't seed Division III teams and determines the host on a game-by-game basis. While nearly all of the schools' numbers were even, the Aggies' edge in strength of schedule made the difference.

Fifth time isn't the charm

DelVal was hoping to reach the semifinals for the first time on its fifth trip to the national quarterfinals.

In 2019, the Aggies lost at eventual champ North Central 31-14 in the quarters.

In 2017, DelVal fell to SUNY Brockport 31-28 at home on a 33-yard field goal as time expired

In 2005, the Aggies lost to Rowan, which rallied for a 27-21 quarterfinal win in Doylestown.

Accepting the challenge: DelVal looking forward to facing mighty Mount Union in NCAA quarterfinals

Safety first: Delaware Valley counts on senior Blaine Netterman 'for everything'

Making the most of his chance: Yusuf Aladinov was barely recruited out of Tennent, yet he's starring at DelVal

In 2004, Rowan handled DelVal 56-7.

Greco was the Aggies' coach in 2017 and '19, while G.A. Mangus guided DelVal in 2004-05.

It's been a while

Mount Union and DelVal had only met once before — the Purple Raiders prevailed 31-3 over the visiting Aggies in the 2010 second round. Mount Union ended up falling to Wisconsin-Whitewater 31-21 in the championship game that year.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What we learned from DelVal's NCAA quarterfinal loss to Mount Union