D3football.com here hours before kickoff as usual, which leaves plenty of time to kick off a new blog.

Gordon and Pat Coleman are to my left right now, on the air announcing the all-Americans. If you aren’t listening, you should be … if you’re interested in hearing about four or five different pre-game interviews. I know Brett Elliott’s interview already aired … good stuff. Very humble, honest about his NFL future and bashing the lack of a playoff in D-I. Loving that!

Mount Union’s specialists have just taken the field.

The weather here tends to be cold and windy … Salem is the championship site because they make D3 feel big time and have gathered a great volunteer base to support the game, but we could do without the weather.

The field is a fast track, but probably not the same as the turf at Mount Union. Both teams are used to/OK with cold weather, and UW-W played in the snow last week, so this should be nothing new. There is snow around the field from Thursday night, but the field was taken care of yesterday, and even spray painted green (I believe) to make it look good for TV.

We’ll be posting from time to time today, and we’ve seen you go crazy on the predictions thread … but if you’re not here and your TV is close to your computer, pump up the sound from the webcast. We’re pretty sure the D3 die-hards will enjoy it.

We’ll be glad to hear your thoughts pre-game and during. Should be fun to look back at after the fact. Take it away…

Twas the night before Stagg Bowl and all through the site
Not a creature was stirring, ‘cept for us, up all night.

The stockings were hanging, all purple of course,
For Warhawks and Raiders, not Wildcats or Norse.

The Warhawks, Wisconsin: Respect they have earned.
The WIAC’s no pushover, Linfield learned.

The Raiders, Mount Union: They’ve been here before
With fans by the busload at the stadium’s door.

Two teams, highly ranked, No. 2, No. 5
The fans all a-waiting kickoff to arrive

With Walnut and Bronze and a title at stake
The players, they rested. The fans, still awake.

The party could last till the tailgate at dawn
Some camped by their trailers, some sat on the lawn.

This, Division III’s Titletown comes alive twice a year
For football and hoops, which already draws near.

The gates, they all opened, the fans poured inside.
They all took their seats with their eyes opened wide.

When at once, from the stadium there arose such a sound
That flew through the air as it rattled the ground

The teams, they both entered to the fireworks and bands.
Even those from Alliance couldn’t sit on their hands.

The players warming up for their moments of fame
Heard quarterbacks bark signals and call out their names.

On Beaver, on Stanley! On Schmitt and Lescyznski!
On Garcon, on Casto, on Kmic, Antonucci!

The game moves too quickly, the season’s near done
And someone in purple has come through and won.

The trophy awarded, the interviews heard
Leaves just the committee to have the last word.

So I shouted at them as the group left my sights:
Happy Stagg Bowl to all! Next year pay for more flights!

We keep meaning to mention that the Aztec Bowl is at 2 p.m. on Saturday. You can get more information at the Aztec Bowl’s web site. They also do preview shows talking with the seniors who comprise the team, and the final one runs tonight from 7:30-9 ET.

Tune over for the end of the Aztec Bowl after we leave the air on Saturday.