Football Downs Hanover 52-27 on Homecoming

CINCINNATI, Ohio - This weekend was HOMECOMING on the campus of Mount St. Joseph University and the Lions football team put on a show for all the alumni who came to the game. The first half was nearly perfect for the Lions as they took a 38-0 lead into the halftime break. The Lions would eventually score 52 points agains the Panthers who were only giving up 10.2 points per game coming into the weekend.

The Lions took the opening kickoff and quickly moved down the field, when Mariano McKenzie popped for a 32-yard touchdown run to get the scoring started. On the first Panthers drive the Mount's defense forced a quick three-and-out. When the Lions got the ball back they once again moved down the field, this time a little more methodically. Scoring their second touchdown of the day as Josh Taylor found Gary Powell III from six yards out to cap of an 11-play 67 yard drive. 

Hanover on their next drive started to move the ball but was eventually forced to punt again. On the Lions next drive it was Jackson Gifford taking a turn at running back, he carried the ball four times for 37 times on the drive, eventually Taylor capped off the drive with a 6-yard run.

The Panthers started to move the ball a bit on their next possession but a third down sack by Jack Tucker and Anthony Wright stopped their drive and force another punt. The following Lions drive ended with a 40-yard field goal from Kyle Farfsing. The defense then forced another three-and-out, getting the ball back to Taylor. The drive was finished with a 24-yard run by Taylor into the rightside of the endzone.

The Lions final touchdown of the first half came from the defense as on the next drive Brady Pierce picked of a pass and raced 49-yards for a touchdown. 

In the second half Hanover was able to finally get their offense on track, outscoring the Lions 27-14 over the games final 30 minutes. Much of their damage was done against the Lions second unit though.  

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

• Taylor was 22-of-33 passing for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns, he carried the ball 13 times for 61 yards and another 2 touchdowns.
• McKenzie led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown averaging 8.5 yards per carry
• Cornell Beachem Jr. hauled in six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown
• Austin Brock caught a pair of passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, averaging 30.5 yards per catch.
• Anthony Wright led the way with 9 total tackles (4 solo), 1.5 TFLs and half a sack
• Brady Pierce had 8 tackles, all of which were solo and had an interception which he returned for a touchdown.

UP NEXT:
Next Saturday the Lions (5-1, 4-0 HCAC) will welcome the Franklin College Grizzlies (3-4, 3-1 HCAC) to Schueler Field for their final home game of the season. The Lions will celebrate senior day prior to the 1:30 PM kickoff.