SALEM, Va. — Mount Union running back Jake Simon’s first quarter 1-yard touchdown lifted Mount Union to a 14-7 halftime lead over St. Thomas in the 40th annual Stagg Bowl.

This is the Tommies’ first trip to the NCAA Division III championship game while Mount Union (Ohio) is making its 16th appearance (8th straight).

On the Purple Raiders’ first possession, quarterback Kevin Burke orchestrated a seven-play, 82-yard drive, capped off by Simon’s touchdown run.

After a six-play St. Thomas drive stalled late in the first quarter, punter Garrett Maloney corralled a high snap, but linebacker Charles Dieuseul blocked and recovered the ball, running 12 yards into the end zone to give the Purple Raiders a 14-0 lead.

This was the fourth blocked punt for Mount Union this postseason and the third returned for a touchdown. The block was Maloney’s first blocked punt of the season.

On the Tommies’ third possession of the game, kicker Paul Graupner lined up for a 27-yard field goal attempt. After taking the snap, holder Dan Ferrazzo ran 10 yards and dove into the end zone for the touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14-7 with 13:31 left in the half.

With 4:27 left in the half, quarterback Matt O’Connell’s fourth-and-nine pass fell short, stalling a promising 10-play drive, which began at the St. Thomas 33-yard line. Mount Union took over at its own 30-yard line.

The Tommie defense, after giving up 114 yards in the first quarter, only allowed 22 yards on 15 Purple Raider plays.

The Tommies totaled 159 yards in the first half compared to the Purple Raiders’ 136 yards.

St. Thomas will receive the second half kickoff.

Ross Schreck can be reached at schr8250@stthomas.edu.