UW-Whitewater wins 2014 national title

Dec 27, 2014

Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com

The 2014 Division III football season ended much like the 2013 season did, or the 2011 season, or any of five of the previous eight did, with UW-Whitewater defeating Mount Union for the national championship.

The Warhawks finished 15-0, defeating the Purple Raiders 43-34, thanks in large part to an interception return for a touchdown by Brady Grayvold, a strip by Marcus McLin that turned into a touchdown and a screen pass that Dennis Moore turned into a 75-yard touchdown catch.

Check out the full coverage of Stagg Bowl XLII, postseason coverage and much more with the links below, then follow further down for headlines from even more playoff coverage.

Game story: Whitewater defense takes away the title
Ryan Tipps: Leipold leaves a legacy
Keith McMillan: D-III gives and it takes away
ATN Podcast: Postseason awards, wrapping up 2014
Final 2014 Division III football bracket
Archived Stagg Bowl broadcast, pregame, postgame
Stagg Bowl XLII photo gallery
All-time Division III football champions

2014 Division III football playoffs

December 27, 2014 Division III football gives, and it takes away The scene after the Stagg Bowl was a reminder all 244 Division III football teams can relate to. Sometimes winners lose. More from Keith McMillan.

December 20, 2014 Around the Nation Podcast: Wrapping it up Why did Pat and Keith choose the Coach, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year they way they did? What does this Stagg Bowl mean for the future of both programs? They cover that and more in the final ATN Podcast for 2014.

December 19, 2014 Whitewater defense takes away the title UW-Whitewater weathered the Mount Union run and went on to defeat the Purple Raiders 43-34 and win Stagg Bowl XLII.

December 19, 2014 Leipold leaves a legacy The Warhawks sent their coach out on top, as Lance Leipold's final game ended with Whitewater's sixth title.

December 20, 2014 2014 Division III football playoff bracket The final results of the 2014 Division III football playoffs, from 32 teams to UW-Whitewater as national champion.

December 19, 2014 Our Stagg Bowl predictions Getting ready for tonight's Stagg Bowl? So are we. Here's predictions for Stagg Bowl XLII from our Triple Take crew and invited guests.

December 18, 2014 The ultimate throwback for the Purple Powers In honor of the Thursday before the Stagg Bowl, we thought we'd take a look back at the previous meetings between UW-Whitewater and Mount Union. Pierre Garcon, Ryan Kleppe and many more former players tell the story of the Warhawks and Purple Raiders.

December 16, 2014 Moore keeps UWW's long-running tradition alive This was nearly the first season during the Warhawks' stretch of dominance in which it did not have a 1,000-yard rusher. But Dennis Moore eclipsed the mark against Linfield, and teams with Jordan Ratliffe to form a powerful 1-2 punch. A Road to Salem feature by Josh Smith.

December 15, 2014 Around the Nation Podcast: Here we go again We know what you’re thinking. How can this outcome, UW-Whitewater vs. Mount Union Part IX, possibly be good for the sport of Division III football. There’s no sugar-coating at this point and Pat and Keith give it to you straight.

December 15, 2014 Mount defense: No surprise it's back on the rise After last year's playoffs, it became clear that there was nowhere for the Mount Union defense to go but up. And that it did in Saturday's semifinal win vs. Wesley. Ryan Tipps has more on how the Purple Raiders did it in a Road to Salem feature.

December 13, 2014 Mount Union rolls over Wesley to return to Salem Wesley got in a big hole in the first quarter in Alliance for the second year in a row, and this time there was no way to come back as Mount Union crushed the Wolverines in the national semifinals.

December 13, 2014 Whitewater holds off Linfield to book ninth Salem trip After Linfield tied the game, Whitewater scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and the defense made it hold up.

December 11, 2014 Linfield's D the difference in 2014 The Linfield defense gave up the final 28 points of the game last season when Linfield and UW-Whitewater met in the national quarterfinals. But it's been next man up this year for the Wildcats defense as well, with new starters who have performed. More in a Road to Salem feature.

December 11, 2014 Next man up for UW-Whitewater defensive line Let's be up front about this: UW-Whitewater has a young defensive line. But that's because their upperclassmen leaders are supplemented by five sophomores who rotate in. Now they've got a riddle to solve. More in a Road to Salem feature.

December 10, 2014 Spencer a quick study for Mount Union Hank Spencer came to Mount Union a semester early, and it wasn’t just to get a head start on football. Spencer has a 3.98 GPA as a computer science major as well. More from Ryan Tipps in a Road to Salem feature.

• More 2014 Division III football playoff coverage

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UW-Whitewater wins 2014 national title

2014 Division III football playoffs