The Associated Press

ALLIANCE - Dan Pugh ran for a career-high 254 yards and five touchdowns as Mount Union reached the NCAA Division III national title game again by defeating Ohio Conference rival John Carroll 57-19 Saturday.

The Purple Raiders (13-0) extended the nation's longest winning streak to 41. They'll go for their third consecutive national championship - and seventh in 10 years - in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Dec. 21 in Salem, Va., against St. John's (Minn.).

"Going to Salem never gets old," Pugh said after scoring on runs of 4, 10, 14, 8 and 1 yard for Mount Union, which has won 95 of its last 96. The Purple Raiders' last loss was 24-17 to Rowan in the 1999 semifinals, ending an NCAA-record 54-game winning streak.

Division I-AA semifinals

STATESBORO, Ga. - Quarterback Jason Michael scored on a 2-yard touchdown with 46 seconds remaining, giving Western Kentucky a 31-28 victory over Georgia Southern and its first trip to the Division I-AA championship game.

The Hilltoppers, who had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals, will face McNeese State on Dec. 20 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Division I notes

KENTUCKY: Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said he wants a new football coach in place by Christmas, although he's still in the "information-gathering" stages of his search.

OHIO STATE: Buckeyes senior backup linebacker Fred Pagac Jr. was found innocent of disorderly conduct charges stemming from an October fight outside a bar that led to his arrest.

TEXAS: Junior receiver Roy Williams said he will play another year for the Longhorns instead of leaving for the NFL. Williams caught 60 passes for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs for Texas this season.