The numbers are frightening.

Mount Union College has won 18 consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference titles, is 10-0 this season, has the nation's longest winning streak at 25 games, has won 43 consecutive regular-season games, is 61-10 in the NCAA Division III playoffs, owns a 135-4 record since 2000 and averages 45.5 points a game on offense this season while holding the opposition to an average of 8.3 points.

No wonder the Purple Raiders, who have won six Division III national titles since 2000, including last year, have a psychological advantage over most opponents before they run onto the field.

But Washington & Jefferson is not most opponents. The Presidents (9-1) cannot match Mount Union in gaudy statistics and records, but they have something going for them as they travel to face the Purple Raiders at noon today in a Division III first-round playoff game at Mount Union Stadium in Alliance, Ohio.

They know the No. 1-ranked Purple Raiders ... personally.

The two teams have not played a game against each other since 1941, but they have scrimmaged each other in the preseason every year since 1985. And their junior-varsity teams have played each other every year.

"I don't think our guys will be intimidated," said W&J coach Mike Sirianni, who was a receiver on Mount Union's first national championship team in 1993 and an assistant there for title runs in '96 and '97.

"It's going to help us that we've been there before, played against their guys and know them. So, I don't think we'll get caught up in all of that."

"They're familiar with us, and we played them in junior-varsity games this season," said Mount Union coach Larry Kehres, who has a 285-21-3 record in 24 seasons at the school. "I don't think they're going to be in awe of us."

What has gotten Sirianni's attention is Mount Union's defensive quickness.

The Purple Raiders have allowed opponents an average of 194 yards of offense a game, 58.6 rushing. They have 29 quarterback sacks and 16 interceptions.

While the Presidents, ranked No. 20, also have played well defensively, allowing 241 yards a game with 35 sacks, their spread offense has been spotty. Craig Besong has 83 receptions for 1,006 yards and nine touchdown, but the leading rusher is Terrance McAllister with 556 yards.

"They are just so fast on defense, I'm not sure how well we're going to be able to move the ball," Sirianni said. "I tried to get the NCAA to give us a one-game waiver to bring back [graduated quarterback] Bobby Swallow."

Mount Union does not have the same problem. Quarterback Kurt Rocco has completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,680 yards and 31 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Receiver Cecil Shorts has 68 receptions for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns and there are two running backs -- Terrance Morning and Scott Panchik -- with more than 600 yards rushing.

While Washington & Jefferson will be a decided underdog, Sirianni said the Presidents are not looking for a moral victory.

"A lot of teams go to Mount Union just hoping not to get beat bad," he said. "But, whether we lose 20-17 or 63-7, we'll be disappointed."

California at Shippensburg, noon, Seth Grove Stadium: This NCAA Division II second-round playoff game is a rematch of the PSAC championship game won by Shippensburg, 42-35, two weeks ago. ... California (9-3) has won 10 of its 12 games played in November dating to 2005. ... Shippensburg (9-2) quarterback Chad DiFebbo has passed for 2,281 yards. He threw for 294 yards and completed 18 of 24 passes in the first meeting. ... California has won three of the past four meetings.

Robert Morris at Monmouth, noon, Kessler Field, West Long Branch, N.J.: The Colonials (4-6, 4-3 Northeast Conference) have won four consecutive games. A 5-6 record would match their mark of last year. ... Robert Morris has outscored opponents, 87-27, during its win streak. ... The series against Monmouth (5-5, 4-3) is tied, 7-7, with Monmouth winning 5 of the past 6. ... Robert Morris running back Myles Russ needs 15 yards to reach 1,000 for the season and become the third Colonials player to have consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Bryant at Duquesne, noon, Rooney Field: This will be the final home game for 13 Duquesne players. ... Freshman Larry McCoy leads the Dukes (3-7, 2-5 NEC) with 770 yards rushing on 151 attempts and has scored eight touchdowns. ... This is the second meeting between the Dukes and Bryant (4-6, 3-4).

Geneva at Greenville, 1 p.m., Francis Field, Greenville, Ill.: The Golden Tornadoes (7-3) are playing in their six National Christian College Athletic Association Victory Bowl. ... Geneva is ranked No. 2 in the NCCAA national poll. ... Greenville (7-2) is playing in its first Victory Bowl. ... Geneva has a 4-1 Victory Bowl record.

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