ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Ursinus College football team gave No. 6 Muhlenberg everything it could handle until deep into the third quarter, eventually succumbing to a deceivingly lopsided 45-21 Centennial Conference defeat in a Friday-night showdown under the Scotty Wood Stadium lights.
Samuel Ragland put up 174 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns in the first half before leaving with an injury in the final minute and the Bears trailing just 17-14. Muhlenberg put its foot on the gas after the break, tallying four touchdown passes – one from a receiver – to run away.
Thomas Garlick threw for 212 yards and a touchdown and added a 21-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter for Ursinus (3-3, 2-3), which gave the league's best defense fits with its array of read-option and triple-option creativity.
Muhlenberg came in leading the CC in scoring defense (12.6), rushing defense (61.0), and sacks (21). The Mules also sported a top-10 national ranking and had won every head-to-head matchup, save one, since 1999. But the Bears were far from fearful, eclipsing that points average before the end of the first quarter.
After the hosts scored a touchdown on their opening drive, Ursinus went right to work with a matching 71-yard march. Octavious Carter took a double reverse all the way down to the 7-yard line to set up a first-and-goal, and Ragland took advantage with a stunning spin move into the end zone for his 31st career rushing touchdown, bringing the Bears level at 7-up at the 6:09 mark of the opening quarter.
Ursinus' defense held firm on fourth down from inside the 30 and capitalized with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Garlick to Ragland. The senior quarterback stood tall in the pocket and got the ball out just ahead of an on-rushing linemen, connecting at midfield with Ragland, who slipped out of a tackle and sprinted down the right sideline for an incredible scoring strike that put the Bears in front and stunned the home crowd.
Muhlenberg cut into the lead with a 43-yard field goal by Todd Spirt, and Ursinus' ensuing possession stalled out after back-to-back sacks, but Mike Reilly dropped a 51-yard punt down and backed the Mules back to their own 2. Undaunted, the red and white marched 98 yards in 10 plays, taking big chunks of field position with them on almost every snap before cashing in with a touchdown pass from Mike Hnatkowsky to Ryan Curtiss in the back of the end zone.
The Mules looked ready to get the ball back before halftime, but a roughing the passer on a third-down completion short of the sticks gifted Ursinus a first down. That was the first of three consecutive double-digit yard infractions against Muhlenberg, a series that brought Ursinus all the way down to the 12. After Ragland was tackled for a loss, Garlick's pass was intercepted at the goal line and Muhlenberg escaped with a 17-14 edge at intermission.
With Ragland having left the game with an injury on the interception, the Bears struggled to generate offense in the second half.
Marcus Weathers came unblocked off the edge for a big sack to force a three-and-out on the first possession of the third quarter. Later, Garlick drove the Bears to the Muhlenberg 31 with a spectacular play in which he evaded a host of Muhlenberg defenders before taking off and lofting a beautiful pass to Stacey Gardner for a first down on third-and-11. The Mules, however, sacked Garlick on fourth down to kill the drive.
Muhlenberg went ahead 24-14 on a trick play, with star receiver Max Kirin throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Curtiss on a flea flicker. The Mules stretched their lead to 17 on the first play of the fourth quarter, a perfect throw from Hnatkowsky to Nick Ugarte for a 29-yard strike on fourth down
The Bears snapped a streak of 24 unanswered points by the Mules with a quick-moving drive on the ensuing possession. Garlick hit Matt Gallagher for a first down to the sticks on second-and-18, the senior tight end fighting through multiple tackles to gain the marker. After a short completion to Kevin DePrince, Gardner burst ahead for 24 yards off right tackle, and Garlick capped the drive with a 21-yard rushing score on an option keeper, bringing Ursinus within 31-21 with 11:44 remaining.
Needing a stop, the Bears had a chance on third down, but Hnatkowsky picked it up on a draw. After a few first downs, Hnatkwowsky threw an 18-yard touchdown to Curtiss for a dagger with 5:44 to go. The left-handed tacked on another in the final minute to provide the final margin.
Ragland finished with six catches for 113 yards, notching his second 100-yard receiving effort of the season. With 61 yards rushing on eight carries, the junior is now just 19 away from 2,000 for his career.
Garlick was 15-for-23 for 212 yards and the long touchdown to Ragland. Gallagher had a pair of receptions for 32 yards and Gardner added two catches for 30 yards.
Danny Freeman and Jacob McCain led the defense with nine tackles apiece, while Jack Spingler had two tackles for loss among his six stops.
The Bears finish off a brutal October with their third consecutive matchup with a ranked opponent, traveling to Susquehanna next Saturday.