The College of Mount St. Joseph Lions' football team saw their undefeated season end today with a 42-15 loss to Thomas More College on Senior Day. The Mount, 9-1 overall, will play in next week's Division III playoffs, against a team to be determined during selection Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Saints, 10-0, scored on their first two possessions of the game, to take a 14-0 lead before the Lions bounced back to cut the deficit to 14-7 late in the first quarter. Craig Mustard (Mason, OH/Mason) hooked up with Derick Tabar (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain) on a 30-yard scoring play and the Lions added more points early in the second quarter when Brian Weimer (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) booted a 36-yard field goal, to whittle the Saints lead to 14-10. The two teams traded TDs later in the quarter, as Noah Joseph (Roswell, GA/Blessed Trinity) scored on a 19-yard TD reception from Mustard right before the half - and Weimer converted the PAT kick - to make the scoer Thomas More 21-17 at the half.
The Saints scored two offensive touchdowns and one TD on a botched Mount punt and fumble recovery in the end zone to score 21 unanswered points in the second half en route to the win in Bridge Bowl XIV. The Mount had five second half punts and turned the ball over twice on fumbles in the second half.
Joseph led the way for the Mount with 68 yards rushing while Mustard completed 22-of-37 passes for 206 yards, two TDs and one interception. Tabar had a game-high six receptions for 81 yards. The had the edge in first downs, 16-15 and time of possession, 33:58-26:02 but was just three-of-15 on third down conversions.
Erik Prosser (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) had a team-high eight tackles while Randall Mitchell (Columbus, OH/Eastmoor Academy) added a sack. David Davis (Longwood, FL/Lake Mary) chipped in an interception. Alex Harbin (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) forced two fumbles.
The game was the final regular season home game for 17 Mount senior players, who were honored before the game.
