CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Mount St. Joseph football team gave the homecoming crowd plenty to cheer about on Saturday afternoon, putting together one of their most complete performances of the season in a 52-21 victory over Franklin College at Schueler Field.
From the opening drive, the Lions' offense looked sharp. Quarterback Jaxon Schreiber led the charge, connecting with his top target Eli Aston for a pair of early touchdowns that energized the packed home stands. The senior quarterback was in full command all afternoon, completing 23-of-42 passes for 377 yards and a remarkable seven touchdown passes.
Aston turned in another highlight-reel performance, hauling in six catches for 174 yards and four touchdowns. Each of his scores seemed to come at a key moment, helping the Lions build and maintain control of the game. Steven Napier added five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, while Patrick Connor and Tanner Keller each added scores through the air as part of the offensive onslaught. For Keller it was the first touchdown reception of his career!
After taking a 14-7 lead into halftime, the Lions broke the game wide open in the second half. The offense erupted for 38 points over the final two quarters, mixing explosive plays with crisp execution. Schreiber continued to spread the ball around to his receivers, and the running game helped chew up clock and keep Franklin's defense on its heels.
Defensively, Mount St. Joseph set the tone with physical play and timely stops. The Lions' secondary forced three interceptions and consistently limited Franklin's passing attack. The defensive front held firm, allowing just 15 first downs all game and controlling the line of scrimmage throughout the second half.
Special teams also contributed to the effort. After Franklin managed a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half, the Lions quickly regrouped. Kicker Maxwell Spencer drilled a 45-yard field goal to extend the lead, and the coverage units tightened up for the remainder of the afternoon.
By the fourth quarter, the outcome was clear. The Lions' sideline buzzed with energy as the defense forced another turnover and the offense continued to pile on points. When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read 52-21 in favor of Mount St. Joseph—a dominant win that sent the homecoming crowd home happy.
The victory moves the Lions to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the league title.
Mount St. Joseph will look to carry this momentum into next week as they hit the road for to take on Ohio Northern.
