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Mount Union  58    Muskingum  0

                                                                     by Ric Brienza

Purple Raiders dominant in 45th consecutive victory

     Mount Union ran college football’s longest current win streak to 45 games with a 58-0 win over Muskingum in New Concord, Ohio.  The game time temperature was 70 degrees at McConagha Stadium on an overcast, but for the most part, dry afternoon.  The Purple Raiders chose the purple pants to go along with the road white jerseys, while the Muskies wore all black, from head to toe.

     Mount Union set the tone for the contest on its first drive, beginning on its own 12-yard line following the opening kick, by driving 88-yards on 14 plays to take the lead, the touchdown coming when quarterback Jesse Burghardt found wide receiver Randell Knapp from four yards out at the 9:41 mark of the first quarter.  The Raiders only faced one third down on the drive, with Burghardt converting that on a nine-yard scamper.  Knapp's touchdown was his first of three on the day, as he led all receivers with 174 yards on eight catches.

     Following a Muskingum punt, quarterback Zac Bruney found Knapp for a 77-yard completion down to the Muskies’ one-yard line.  The ball came loose when Knapp was tackled and hit the ground, bouncing into the endzone.  The official standing right on top of the play was the only guy in the stadium (at least no one in the pressbox thought it was a fumble)  that thought the ball came out before Knapp hit the ground and ruled it a fumble out of the end zone, giving the ball back to Muskingum.  The 77-yard catch was a career-best for Knapp.  He had a 76 yard reception in week one vs. Wis-Whitewater.

     After another Muskingum punt, the Raiders marched 53 yards in nine plays resulting in a 20 yard touchdown pass from Burghardt to Knapp on fourth and seven with 28 seconds left in the first quarter. Chad Teague’s point after made it 14-0.

First Quarter Score: Mount Union 14, Muskingum 0

     Mount Union needed only one play to score on its fourth possession, striking quickly as Bruney hit wide receiver Nick Sirianni on a 69-yard touchdown pass down the visitor sideline one minute into the second quarter.  The 69-yard reception was a career-best for Sirianni.  The ensuing point after attempt was pushed wide left by Teague and the Raiders led 20-0.

     Following Raider cornerback Ross Watson’s first career interception, the Purple & White upped the advantage to 27-0 as Burghardt found receiver Scott Casto from 20 yards out with nine minutes left in the half.  Casto's first career touchdown capped a four-play, 42-yard drive.

     Muskingum's next three plays resulted in a loss of two yards and once again the offense went to work, starting on its own 45-yard line.  Mount Union would need only three plays to go the distance as Knapp posted his final touchdown as he was on the receiving end of a Bruney 11-yard strike with six minutes still on the first-half clock.

     The Raiders added three more points with 1:32 remaining in the half, as Teague kicked a 23-yard field goal, completing a 10-play 38-yard march.  Mount Union scored on six of its seven first half possessions and led 37-0 at halftime.

 Halftime Score: Mount Union 37, Muskingum 0

     Following the second half kickoff Mount Union's defense continued to stand firm, forcing a three and out and not allowing a yard on Muskingum's first possession.  Mount Union's offense picked up right were it left off by adding to its lead four minutes into the stanza when running back Jeff Strauch went in from one yard out.  The six-play, 53 yard drive upped the ante to 44-0 following Teague’s extra point.

     The Muskies managed just one yard on its next possession and then watched running back Ricky Ciccone score from four yards out to make it 51-0 at the 6:10 mark of third quarter.  This eight-play, 57-yard drive was the end of most of the starters work on the day and was the last time Mount Union would attempt a forward pass in the contest.

 Third Quarter Score: Mount Union 51, Muskingum 0

     The Purple Raiders were effective in running time off the clock and keeping its opponent off the scoreboard in the final quarter.  Running back Mike Deitrick finished the scoring with a two-yard touchdown scamper with 11:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.  That drive covered 64 yards on 13 plays.

     Muskingum had two possessions in the final quarter but could only muster 21 yards.  The Purple Raider defense has now posted back-to-back shutouts and has not given up a point in the last nine quarters of play.

     Mount Union amassed a season-high 678 yards of offense in the contest, while holding Muskingum to just 84 total yards.  The Purple Raiders averaged 8.6 yards per play compared to 1.8 for the Muskies.

Final Score: Mount Union 58, Muskingum 0

     Offensively, Mount Union quarterback Jesse Burghardt was 13-of-20 for 183 yards and three touchdowns while Zac Bruney finished the day 7-of-8 for a career-best 250 yards and two touchdowns.  Randell Knapp had a game-best eight receptions for 174 yards and a career best three touchdowns receiving. Nick Sirianni added three catches for 88 yards and one score.  Raider quarterback Robert McDavid set personal bests in carries (10) and yards rushing (77) in the contest.  His 77 yards on the ground was a game-high as well.

     Defensively, Raider middle linebacker Shaun Spisak had six hits, tackle Antoine Dillard finished with six hits, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and outside linebacker Anthony Frate totaled five hits and 1.5 tackles for loss.  Muskingum safety Mark Waller had a game-high 12 hits.

     The Raiders have now won 87 consecutive regular season games and 78 straight OAC regular season contests.  Overall, Mount Union is now 112-1 in its last 113 regular season contests.  The Purple Raiders have won 99 of their last 100 games played overall.

     Mount Union returns home for a Homecoming Day match up with visiting Otterbein next Saturday, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. from Mount Union Stadium.


Ric Brienza

*Thanks to Mount Union College Sports Information Director Michael De Matteis for his help with this story.