In Canton, Ohio

The stage has been set...

Stagg Bowl 2021: North Central  vs. UMHB

By Riley Zayas

In a matchup of D3football.com's Top 2 ranked teams, North Central and UMHB are set to meet for the first time. Neither has lost a game since 2019. 

Setting the Stage

Time to Prep

This will be the first time UMHB and North Central have met on the gridiron.

THE SERIES

Photo credit Steve Woltmann/NCC Athletics

Game Details

Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT

Watch: ESPNU

Crusader Football Alumni Association

"WE PROMOTE THE CODE OF THE CRU!"

UMHB 

No. 2 in nation 

Wins over Hardin-Simmons, Linfield, Wisconsin-Whitewater

In frigid conditions at undefeated Wisconsin-Whitewater, UMHB earned a 24-7 win in the semifinal round -11 tackles from Akeem Jackson -2 TD receptions for Brandon Jordan

White Lightning
White Lightning

How They Got Here

North Central

No. 1 in nation

Notable wins over Wheaton, Wisconsin-La Crosse, Mount Union

Photo by Steve Woltmann/NCC Athletics

How They Got Here

The Cardinal took down Mount Union, 26-13, on the road behind 293 rush yds in the semifinal round

Photo by Steve Woltmann/NCC Athletics

For the first time, the Stagg Bowl is being played in Canton, Ohio at the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Stagg Bowl

Orange Lightning

UMHB's Jefferson Fritz is a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, awarded annually to  D-III football's best player

PREGAME

Award winner will be announced before kickoff

STOPPING THE RUN: Cru allows 74.9 rush yds/game

KEYS TO THE GAME

KEYS TO THE GAME

THROUGH THE AIR: UMHB's receiving corps is deep, , averaging 249 pass yds/game

KEYS TO THE GAME

Dominance on 3rd Down: Opponents held to 27% 3rd down conversion rate

Sacrifice Training

What will you sacrifice to be great?

WR BRANDON JORDAN:  6'6, 240 lbs 15 receptions, 971 yds, 16 TD in 2021

White Lightning

Players to Watch

RB ETHAN GREENFIELD

1,672 rush yds 23 TD

The 1,000 Yard Rusher: Aphonso Thomas

1,063 yds for Ben Wheeler, TX native

White Lightning
White Lightning

UMHB Head Coach Pete Fredenburg on the matchup:

Montgomery Chiropractic

"The World Revolves Around Your Spine"