Box Score LOCATION: Cincinnati, OH (Schueler Field)
THE BASICS:
Mount St. Joseph (5-3, 5-2 HCAC) came back to defeat conference rival Bluffton University (4-4, 3-3 HCAC) 31-28 after Shane Kelly hit a 21 yard field goal with time expiring. The win helps keep the Lions in third place in the HCAC standings with one conference game to play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions had a good start to the day when Nolan Miller returned an interception 93 yards, shedding a tackle along the way for a Mount score just five minutes into the game. Bluffton and Mount traded scores throughout the first half, with the Beavers scoring two unanswered touchdowns to take the lead.
Mike Williams had a big, 22 yard run on a third and 21 to get a first down in the the second quarter. Williams ended the drive with a six-yard touchdown run.
The Beavers came out fast, scoring a touchdown on its opening drive of the third quarter. Bluffton went on to score again late in the third quarter quarter. The Lions were down 28-14. going into the fourth quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Lions started to rally. A 22 yard pass to A.J. Glines, along with a targeting penalty which added another 15 yards gave the Mount the chance it needed. Williams connected with Garrett Weaver at the end of the drive for a 22 yard touchdown to make a one-score game.
After the scoring play, Mount St. Joseph's Kevin McHale intercepted the ball, which led to a Williams rushing touchdown to tie the game up.
With time looking like it was going to run out and send the game into overtime, a Tavon Robertson interception and return to Bluffton's 35 yard line opened the door for the Lions. After running off some clock, the Lions sent out senior kicker Kelly to hit the game-winning field goal. Kelly put the ball through the uprights from 21 yards out, giving the Lions the victory.
The Lions forced five turnovers on the day.
STANDOUTS
The leading rusher for the Lions with 94 yards on 18 attempts was Charles McCall. Williams threw for 192 yards and accumulated three total touchdowns, two coming from the ground. Weaver led the team in receiving yards with 94 on the day and one touchdown. Weaver now has 14 touchdowns this season.
UP NEXT
Lions travel to Rose-Hulman a 1:30 p.m on Saturday.
