CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Mount St. Joseph University football team hosted Hanover College on Saturday afternoon in a key Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup, but the visiting Panthers used a big second quarter to pull away and earn a 45-21 victory over the Lions.
After a defensive first quarter, Hanover struck first with a field goal before erupting for four touchdowns in the second frame to take control. The Lions' lone score of the first half came when quarterback Jaxon Schreiber found Eli Aston for a six-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter. Hanover carried a 31-7 lead into halftime.
The Lions came out of the locker room with renewed energy in the second half. Schreiber connected with Keymari Pittman on a 30-yard touchdown strike in the third quarter, and later found Michael Hunkus for a 32-yard touchdown in the fourth to complete his three-touchdown day.
Schreiber finished the game completing 20-of-36 passes for 239 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Aston, Pittman, and Hunkus each caught touchdown passes, while the Lions' defense continued to compete and make key stops throughout the second half.
Offensively, the Lions totaled 257 yards of offense, with most of the production coming through the air. Hanover finished with 443 total yards, including 291 passing yards and 152 on the ground.
With the loss, Mount St. Joseph falls to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in HCAC play, while Hanover improves to 3-2 and 2-0 in conference action. The Lions will look to bounce back next weekend when they travel to face Anderson University in another HCAC matchup.
