Box Score Bluffton, Ohio—In the opening week of the 2021 Heartland Conference play, the Mount St. Joseph University Football program, traveled north for a road matchup against the Bluffton Beavers. The Lions were able to dominate all aspects of the game, returning home with a 45-27 win. This win improves the Lions record to (2-2) overall and (1-0) in the HCAC.
This game opened with Bluffton receiving the opening kickoff. The Mounts defense was able to quickly force a punt. The Lions took over the ball for their first drive and drove the ball 52 yards, with the drive being capped off by a 24 yard Kyle Farfsing field goal. Bluffton's offense responded on their ensuing drive with a touchdown of their own, which saw the first quarter end with a 7-3 Bluffton lead.
Entering the second quarter with the ball the Lions put together a 5 play scoring drive that saw Quarterback Josh Taylor evade the Beavers defense, for a 25-yard touchdown run. Again Bluffton was able to respond with another touchdown drive. Late in the first half, the Mount assembled another scoring drive that saw Taylor call his own number again adding a 10 yard touchdown rush for the second time on the game, giving the Lions a 17-14 lead going into the half.
With the offense on the field for the first drive of the second half, the Lions made very quick work of the Bluffton defense, thanks to a 76-yard touchdown toss to Austin Brock. This huge play returned all of the momentum to the Lions, seeing the defense make another stop. However on the ensuing Lions drive they were stopped short of a first down, forcing the Lions second punt of the game, bringing the defense back on the field. The Lions defense once again held strong, giving the ball back to the Lions offense. This began a 9 play 66-yard touchdown drive, led by Freshman Quarterback Tyler Prather, who capped the drive off with a 13-yard touchdown run. This was the final scoring drive for the Mount in the third quarter, as it ended with a 31-21 Lions lead.
Starting the fourth quarter the Lions offense possessed the ball on their own one-yard line, after a fumbled snap by Bluffton. The offense was able to punch it in with great field position on a one yard Mariano McKenzie rush. Following the Lions touchdown, Bluffton put together a long drive that eventually ended with Troy Speakman's first interception of the season. With great starting field position once again the offense orchestrated their final scoring drive of the game, spanning 13 plays and 68 yards, seeing Prather throw the first touchdown in his college career, to Joey Newton. Bluffton made their best attempt getting back into the ball game with another scoring drive of their own, which only left 44 seconds in the ball game. This allowed the offense to line up in the best formation in football, the victory formation, to kneel the ball and secure the 45-27 win.
The offense was dominant throughout this game, scoring a season-high 45 points, thanks to 436 total yards of offense while converting on 77% of their third downs. Taylor had a great game, passing for 219 yards and 1 touchdown and rushing for 93 yards and rushing touchdowns. Prather went 5-6 passing for 46 yards and a touchdown and also added a touchdown on the ground, this performance saw him named the player of the game for the Lions. There was a multitude of receivers with great performances on the game, Brock led the way 4 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Chandler Kinhalt finished the game with 5 receptions for 46 yards and Newton was able to make 4 catches, totaling 36 yards and a touchdown.
The defense had several players with massive performances on the way to this win. Anthony Wright, led the defense in tackles with 8. The Linebacking core of Julius Fischer and Jonathan Finn were also great, as Finn totaled 7 tackles and Fischer had 6. Defensive End, Decklan Brophy was able to register three tackles, and force several pressures on the Bluffton passing attack all game.
With the win against Bluffton, the Lions look forward to HCAC Rival Franklin College. This game will take place at Schueler Field on Saturday, October 9 with kickoff scheduled for 1:30PM. For a preview of the upcoming game and continued coverage of MSJ athletics be sure to visit msjlions.com
