The Muhlenberg football team scored touchdowns on its first three possessions and went on to defeat McDaniel, 42-18, to remain undefeated at 7-0.

The Mules, who entered the game ranked 20th by D3football.com, set up a showdown with nationally ranked Johns Hopkins (6-1, 5-1) next week in Baltimore.

Sophomore Michael Hnatkowsky threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns, while junior Mark Riggio scored a pair of TDs on the ground.

The defense intercepted three passes and held the Green Terror (3-4, 2-4) to 102 passing yards, 38 of which came on the final play of the game.

After forcing a three-and-out on the first drive of the game, the Mules took over at their 37 and needed 11 plays to score their first touchdown, with Hnatkowsky finding junior Max Kirin from 10 yards out.

The Green Terror tried an onside kick after booting a field goal, but freshman Tyler Magee recovered near midfield for Muhlenberg. The Mules upped their lead to 14-3 on Hnatkowsky's 10-yard scoring strike to junior Ryan Curtiss seven plays later.

On the third play of the next drive, freshman John Washington intercepted a pass and returned it 39 yards to the end zone, making it 21-3 in the final minute of the first quarter. Washington's touchdown was the third defensive score of the season for the Mules.

A pick by sophomore Nick Sirico, his third of the season, ended the next McDaniel drive and set up another short touchdown drive, capped by Riggio's 4-yard run.

Muhlenberg allowed only 95 total yards and four first downs in the first half, going into the locker room with a 28-3 lead.

The margin was extended on the first drive of the second half, with Hnatkowsky hitting senior Josiah Lawrence-Wright with a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Junior Joseph O'Hagan picked off a pass at the goal line in the third quarter to thwart a McDaniel drive. Senior Luke Wiley and sophomore Joshua Barnett recorded sacks, junior Frank Lucchesi had two tackles for loss, and freshman Owen Daddona blocked an extra point.

The Mule kickers also had a good day. Junior Yanni Mitropoulos put four of his seven kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks, and junior Todd Spirt connected on all six of his extra-point tries.

pictured above: sophomore linebacker Spencer Kirin