The Associated Press

ALLIANCE, Ohio - Dan Pugh ran for 161 yards and three touchdowns, and he returned a kickoff for another score to lead Mount Union, Ohio, past Wheaton, Ill., 42-21 Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Pugh's second rushing touchdown put the Purple Raiders (11-0) up 28-0 with 12:36 left in the third quarter.

Wheaton (10-2) responded with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Chad Bradley to Jonathan Wills. The Thunder scored again on Dan Price's 18-yard run to pull to 28-15 with 2:22 left in the period.

Pugh returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a 34-15 lead that wrapped it up for Mount Union.

The Purple Raiders also scored on special teams in the first quarter when Chris Kern fell on a blocked punt in the end zone for a 14-0 lead.

Pugh finished with 275 all-purpose yards.

Rob Adamson was 15-of-28 for 265 yards and a touchdown throw to Randell Knapp, who had 133 yards receiving.

Price ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns for the Thunder.

Mount Union is chasing its third straight national championship and its seventh in 10 years. It has won 39 straight games, the longest winning streak in the NCAA.