NEW CONCORD, Ohio — Mount St. Joseph football opened its 2025 campaign on the right note Saturday afternoon, earning a 33–27 victory over Muskingum at Sherman Field behind a potent passing attack and timely defensive stops.
After falling behind 7–0 in the first quarter, the Lions answered quickly. Quarterback Jaxon Schreiber capped the response by hitting Michael Hunkus on a 28-yard touchdown strike to even the score. Muskingum briefly regained the lead early in the second quarter, but Mount St. Joseph took control from there. Schreiber connected with Eli Aston on a 14-yard score, and kicker Maxwell Spencer added a 27-yard field goal to put the Lions ahead. Before halftime, Schreiber and Hunkus linked up again, this time from four yards out, giving MSJ a 23–14 lead at the break.
The Lions kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter as running back Steven Napier powered in from the 1-yard line to extend the advantage to 30–14. Muskingum responded with a 44-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 30–20 heading into the fourth.
Spencer's second field goal of the afternoon, a 25-yarder, gave MSJ breathing room early in the fourth qualrter. The Lions got a huge stop leading 33-20, when Austin Adams picked off a Muskie pass at the goal line to prevent a touchdown. Muskingum made one last push with a 32-yard touchdown pass midway through the quarter, but the Lions' defense held firm down the stretch to seal the six-point victory.
Schreiber finished with 334 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while Aston (181 yards, 1 TD) and Hunkus (60 yards, 2 TDs) paced a dynamic receiving corps. Napier added a rushing score, and Spencer went a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals.
Defensively, Luke Paff and Brock Harris led the way with 12 tackles apiece, while the Lions forced two turnovers and denied both of Muskingum's red-zone opportunities.
With the win, Mount St. Joseph begins the season 1–0. The Lions return to action next Saturday when they travel to face Aurora University in another nonconference matchup.
