SCHENECTADY, N.Y.Win and get in, lose and stay home. It is that simple for the Union College football team. A win over Springfield should put the Dutchmen into either the NCAA or ECAC playoffs. A loss to the Pride will most likely be a very disappointing end to a season that began with great expectations.
 

Kickoff for the Dutchmen's regular-season finale is 1p.m. The College will honor its16-member senior class, a unit that has produced a four-year record of 31-8, in pre-game ceremonies starting at 12:30.

Union's seniors, which missed the playoffs as freshmen, won the ECAC Northwest title by beating Ithaca, 31-7, as sophomores and were selected to the NCAA tournament last year (where they lost to Widener,33-26). The team's preseason goal was to go undefeated, an opportunity it lost when Rensselaer captured a 32-29 victory in week six) and improve their postseason performance.

"I think we can be a better playoff team than we were last year," said head coach John Audino. "But right now, that is a moot point.First and foremost, we have to beat Springfield. If we can do that, we'll have put ourselves in the best position that we can."

The 3-5 Pride would like nothing better than to destroy Union's playoff hopes. Three years ago the Dutchmen ruined Springfield's opportunity for its first-ever 10-0-0 season by beating the Pride in Springfield, 38-7.Two years ago Union won on Bailey Field, 33-22, and last year the Garnet won 48-19 to knock the Pride from the ranks of the undefeated.

Springfield comes into the game much like a wounded animal. The Pride has lost all five of its games by nine points or less, including two one-point setbacks and one two-point loss). For them, this season finale is their playoffs and they would love noting more than to repay a big debt.

"We are going to have our hands full, no question," said Audino. "Springfield is a little more than a touchdown away from coming in here with a perfect record. Their coaching staff has got to be playing up the fact that we've beaten them the last three years and keeping them from finishing with undefeated records in two of those seasons."

UNION AND THE PLAYOFF PICTURE

But even if the Garnet wins on Saturday, their fate is in the hands of the NCAA committee. According to D3football.com (which has picked 53 of 56 NCAA teams the last two years including 27 of 28 last season),the Dutchmen are ranked fifth in Pool B, which takes seven teams from throughout the country. The national committee takes into account winning percentage, primarily against regional teams and other Division III teams, as well as strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and results against common opponents when determining bids.

D3football.com has determined that Washington & Jefferson (7-0) and Rensselaer (7-0) are in, no matter what the outcome of their games on Saturday. No. 3 Hope (7-0) and No. 4Thomas More (9-0) are in with wins. No.5 Union, No. 6 Pacific Lutheran, and No. 7 Linfield all must win and hope that their strength of schedule survives the outcome of the weekend (in other words,those three need to root that their opponents win this weekend). The note beside Union reads as follows:

"This is where the field starts to get shaky. There are a number of one-loss Upstate New York teams.None has beaten another playoff team.Union has the best strength of schedule for now."

A total of 28 teams will get "The Call" Sunday afternoon at 2p.m. Eighteen conference champions earn automatic bids. Three more teams from these conferences will get at-large bids, known as Pool C.Seven teams who are independents or members of conferences who do not get automatic bids (like the UCAA) will receive Pool B invitations. There are no longer regional boundaries.

For the Dutchmen, step one is to win Saturday's game. Step two is to sit by the phone...and hope for the best.

ABOUT THE DUTCHMEN

Senior quarterback Ben Gilbert, who is now the program's all-time passing leader (7,615 yards) and touchdown leader (69) comes into the game having completed 103 of 203 passes (59.7%) for 1,744 yards and 21 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. Gilbert has enjoyed tremendous success against the Pride.In his three previous games, the Brattleboro, Vermont, native has completed41 of 62 passes (66.1%) for 745 yards and seven touchdowns with just three interceptions. Last season he was 14 of 19 for 301 yards with four touchdowns (of 40, 53, 30 and 23 yards).

Union's running game has been less than up to par the last couple of weeks due, in part, to the ankle injury suffered by junior tailback George Beebe in the game against the College of New Jersey. Last week the Dutchmen produced just 87 rushing yards against Rochester with Beebe picking up just 25 on nine carries. It marked the first time this season that he has failed to rush for at least 100 yards. Freshman Chris Nappi, who had 35 yards onsix carries) and sophomore Sean Washington (22 yards on six carries with one touchdown), led Union's ground game.

The loss of junior wide receiver Ryan Gallo, who injured his knee on the fifth play of the game against Hartwick, has not slowed the Dutchmen's passing game.Senior Craig Kopka (who now has 257 yards on 18 catches) and senior Hank Papale 10 catches, 205 yards and three touchdowns, have really stepped up their games while replacing Gallo (24 catches for 558 yards and five TDs).

Senior fullback Matt Laporta has done his usual outstanding job, catching 17 passes for 217 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns while rushing for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Laporta comes into what could be the final game of his career with 1,361 combined yards and 19 touchdowns. He has rushed for 699 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 58 passes for 662 yards and 11 scores.

Senior placekicker Andrew Ruffo will set the all-time college field goal record with his next three-pointer. Ruffo, who accounted for 215 points during his three-year career, has booted 104 extra points and 37 field goals, tying him for the lead with four-year kicker Greg Harrison (Class of '94).

Union's offense is averaging 418.7 yards a game.

Defensively, the Dutchmen are led by the linebacking trio of seniors Mike Rosenthal (51 tackles, 29 assists, 80 total),Mike Ranfone (38-27-65) and Chris Fiengo (37-26-63). Senior end Josh Stinehour is next with 26-17-43 and leads the team with his 20 quarterback sacks. Hestill needs three to surpass the single-season record of 22 set in 1989 by Greg Hallas (over 14 games). Rosenthal, meanwhile,comes into the contest with 272 career total tackles, fourth on the all-time Union list.

The Dutchmen Defenders are giving up an average of 216 yards a game, 72.1 on the ground and 143.9 in the air. Union has allowed seven rushing touchdowns and 15 passing.