Box Score LOCATION: Schueler Field (Cincinnati, Ohio)
THE BASICS:
Mount St. Joseph (5-3, 5-1 HCAC) welcomed the Ravens of Anderson University to Schueler Field for Homecoming Weekend's highlight event. The Lions sure did not disappoint, dominating the game to the tune of a 51-7 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After much pregame pomp and circumstance due to Homecoming weekend, the Lions took the field and were all business from opening whistle.
After a solid opening kickoff by Tyler Hannah of 28 yards the Lions took their first possession and marched 63 yards in eight plays to score the games first points. The drive was capped off by Chaiten Tomlin finding his favorite target Garrett Weaver for a 13 yard touchdown. The offense for the Lions was so efficient on the first drive that they did not even face a 3rd down.
The defense held up its end of the bargain as well, as they forced Anderson into quick 3-and-out's on their first 4 possessions of the game.
On the Lions 3rd possession they again found the end zone as Tomlin and Weaver hooked up once more this time for a 24 yard touchdown.
One drive later Tomlin continued his torrid pace this time finding AJ Glines for a 12 yard score. Next it was Mike Williams turn as the Lions began to show off their ability to run the football, Williams found the end zone on an eight yard scamper. Which pushed the score to 27-0 in favor of the Lions
Anderson finally found the endzone, moving the ball up the field almost exclusively through the air, before their quarterback dove in for a one yard touchdown run. This was all the Lions defense would allow on this day.
The Lions found pay dirt one more time in the first half as Tomlin hit running back Cory Hastings on a beautiful wheel route out of the backfield for a 9 yard touchdown.
It was much of the same in the second half of play as the defense of the Lions stood tall, forcing two punts and a turnover on the Ravens first 3 possessions.
During that stretch the Lions added a 32 yard field goal from Jerry Porter, and another touchdown pass from Tomlin. This put the Lions up by an insurmountable score of 44-7.
The Lions would add a late touchdown run by backup quarterback AJ Cyrus to settle the final score at 51-7.
STANDOUTS:
Tomlin again had an outstanding game, going 23-29 for 312 yards and 5 touchdowns. That 5th touchdown toss was a special one as it moved him passed Greg Simpson (2012) for the single season record for touchdown passes, it was his 23rd on the season.
He could not do it with out stellar wide receiver play, most notably coming from Weaver and Glines. Both of whom caught two touchdowns on the day. Weaver now has a total of 29 touchdowns in his collegiate career in only 18 games.
Defensively the Lions played in Anderson's backfield all game long, to the tune of six tackles for loss and four sacks. Nolan Miller, Cory Hardin, Spencer Kandra, and Logan Bright all notched sacks for the Lions.
UP NEXT:
The Lions will be home again next Saturday, as they welcome the Franklin Grizzlies into Schueler Field. The Grizzlies will be coming off their first conference loss of the season. With both teams tied atop the HCAC standings, and looking for at least a piece of the conference crown, this game promises to be a hard fought affair. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm, come early be loud and GO LIONS!!!
