HANOVER, INDIANA — The Mount St. Joseph University football team lost its first game of the season on the road at Hanover College, falling 40-38. The loss moves the Lions' overall record to 3-1 and their HCAC record to 0-1.
Hanover would open the game with the ball, but the Mount defense would force a quick three-and-out. The Lion offense would pick up a first down but then punt the ball back to the Panthers. Hanover would score on its next two possessions, and the first quarter would end with the Mount trailing 14-0.
The Panthers would start the second quarter with a drive that would result in a field goal, giving them a 17-0 lead. The Lions would waste no time when they got the ball back, going 69 yards on three plays to make the game 17-7 when Jaxon Schreiber connected with Michael Hunkus for a 62-yard touchdown pass.
The Mount defense would force another three-and-out, giving the Lion offense the ball back. The Lions wasted no time, cutting the Hanover lead to 17-14. Dallas De La Cruz finished off a three-play, 60-yard drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, set up by an outstanding diving 53-yard reception by Eli Aston.
The next Hanover possession would end with an interception in Panther territory by Jaylen White. The Mount offense would cap off the turnover with a 24-yard field goal by Liam Cox, scoring 17 unanswered points and tying the game at 17-17. Hanover would make a field goal on the final play of the half, giving the Panthers a 20-17 halftime lead.
In the first half, Schreiber threw for 146 yards and a touchdown. Hunkus had two catches for 75 yards and a touchdown, while Aston had three catches for 64 yards. De La Cruz had 21 rushing yards and a touchdown. Cox was 2-for-2 on PATs and made a 24-yard field goal. Defensively, Logan Julian led the Lion defense with four tackles. Jaylen White, Royce Rachel, and Brady Pierce each had three tackles, while White also recorded an interception.
Hanover would score to start the second half after a Mount interception, extending its lead to 27-17. The Panthers would score again after a muffed kickoff, giving them a 34-17 lead early in the third quarter. The Lions would punt on their next possession, and Hanover would add a field goal to make the score 37-17.
The Mount offense would respond with a six-play, 56-yard drive capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by De La Cruz, his second score of the game, making the score 37-24. During the drive, Joey Thamann had an 11-yard catch, while Hunkus had two catches for 48 yards.
The defense would force two Panther punts in a row, and the Lions would get the ball down 37-24 early in the fourth quarter. The Mount would take advantage, scoring when Brandon Couch caught a 5-yard pass from Schreiber, capping off a nine-play, 69-yard drive and making the score 37-31. Hunkus and Keymari Pittman each had a 13-yard catch, while Aston had a 16-yard catch. Schreiber also rushed for 17 yards on the drive.
The Lion defense would get a stop with under two minutes remaining, forcing a turnover on downs. Aston would then catch a 48-yard touchdown pass from Schreiber with under a minute to play, helping the Mount score 21 unanswered points and giving the Lions a 38-37 lead, their first lead of the game.
The Lions would suffer a heartbreaking loss, however, as Hanover would hit a 40-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Panthers a 40-38 victory.
Offensively, Jaxon Schreiber threw for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas De La Cruz rushed for 40 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Hunkus had five catches for 136 yards and a touchdown, while Eli Aston also recorded five receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Logan Julian had eight tackles, while Jaylen White had seven tackles and an interception. Brady Pierce had six tackles, and Royce Rachel recorded a sack.
Special teams was outstanding, as Connor Yeager had three punts averaging 40 yards per punt, and Liam Cox was 5-for-5 on PATs and made a big 24-yard field goal.
UP NEXT: The Lions will be back on the road as they continue HCAC play, traveling to Franklin, Indiana, on Saturday, October 10, to face the Franklin Grizzlies. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
