Wheaton advances to national semifinals of 2008 ncaa division iii football championship

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- For the first time since the 1988 season, a member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) will play in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship.

Wheaton's 45-28 road win over Franklin (Ind.) on Saturday advanced the Thunder to the national semifinals for the first time in school history where they will face nine-time Division III national champion Mt. Union on Saturday, December 13 at noon EST. The winner advances to the national tite game to be held December 20 in Salem, Va.

The last CCIW team to advance to the semifinals was Augustana in 1988, losing to Central (Iowa) 23-17 in two overtimes. Augustana won four straight Division III national titles ('83, '84, '85, '86), the conference's only national championships in the sport of football.

Wheaton's appearance in the quarterfinals against Franklin was the CCIW's first appearance in the quarterfinals since the 2004 season. Carthage was the last team to advance to the quarterfinals, losing to Mt. Union 38-20.