MONTGOMERY, Illinois – The Mount St. Joseph University football team turned in an impressive performance on the road Saturday afternoon, using an explosive offense and a strong defensive effort to take down Aurora University 49-21 at Spartan Athletic Park.
The Lions piled up 558 yards of total offense in the win, including 367 through the air and 191 on the ground, while improving to 2-0 on the young season.
The Mount wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. On the Lions' first offensive snap, senior quarterback Jaxon Schreiber connected with Eli Aston for a 72-yard touchdown, giving MSJ a 7-0 lead just 13 seconds into the possession.
Aurora answered to tie the game at seven, but the Lions quickly went back in front. Schreiber capped an eight-play, 78-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Michael Hunkus, putting the Mount ahead 14-7.
After the Spartans once again tied the game, Dallas De La Cruz put the Lions back on top for good. De La Cruz finished a quick three-play, 69-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run, giving MSJ a 21-14 advantage with 4:37 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter with a long 10-play, 92-yard scoring drive. Schreiber once again found Hunkus, this time from one yard out, sending the Mount into halftime with a 28-14 advantage.
Aurora pulled within a touchdown midway through the third quarter, but the Lions responded immediately with another methodical drive. MSJ marched 75 yards on 10 plays before Schreiber connected with Hunkus for a 23-yard touchdown. It was the third touchdown reception of the afternoon for Hunkus and pushed the Lions' lead to 35-21.
From there, the Mount put the game away in the fourth quarter.
Schreiber found De La Cruz for a three-yard touchdown pass early in the period, extending the lead to 42-21. The senior quarterback then capped the scoring himself, finding the end zone on a 15-yard run with 5:18 remaining to secure the 49-21 victory.
Schreiber finished the afternoon 16-of-30 passing for 367 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. He also added a rushing touchdown, accounting for six of the Lions' seven scores.
Aston continued to provide a big-play threat on the outside, hauling in five passes for a game-high 175 yards and a touchdown. Hunkus caught three passes for 32 yards, with all three receptions resulting in touchdowns. Joey Thamann added four catches for 67 yards, while Daveion Cruse and Keymari Pittman contributed receptions of 49 and 35 yards, respectively.
On the ground, De La Cruz carried the load for the Lions, rushing 28 times for 149 yards and a touchdown while also adding a receiving score. MSJ finished with 191 rushing yards on 45 attempts.
The Lions controlled much of the game statistically, finishing with 28 first downs compared to 14 for Aurora and holding the ball for 35:40. The Mount also converted five of its six trips into the red zone.
Defensively, MSJ limited Aurora to 332 total yards, including just 73 on the ground. Brady Pierce led the Lions with seven tackles and a pair of pass breakups. Luke Fortkamp added five tackles and a tackle for loss, while Brady Blevins recorded four tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Royce Rachel registered the Lions' lone sack of the afternoon, while Josh Groeber came away with an interception as the Mount held Aurora scoreless in both the second and fourth quarters.
Liam Cox was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra-point attempts.
UP NEXT: The Lions will be back at home next Saturday as the welcome Adrian to Cincinnati as a part of the HCAC-MIAA Crossover weekened, the game is scheduled to kickoff at 1:00 PM.
