GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Gettysburg College (1-8, 1-7 CC) kept fifth-ranked Muhlenberg College (9-0, 8-0 CC) in check with just a field goal in the first quarter, but the unbeaten Mules eventually found their groove late in the second quarter and ran away for a 44-3 decision in Centennial Conference football action on a cool and breezy day at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Top Performers - Gettysburg
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Logan Edmond '23 (Southern Lehigh/Coopersburg) – 59 Passing Yards, 40 Rushing Yards
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Matt Lynch '22 (Bridgewater, N.J./Immaculata) – 12 Tackles, 1.0 TFLs
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Joey LaMore '20 (Millersville, Md./Archbishop Spalding) – 6 Tackles, 2 Pass Break-ups
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Justin Lessel '21 (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) – 10 Tackles, Pass Break-up, Blocked Punt
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Ryan Greene '20 (Easton, Pa./Easton) – 8 Tackles, 1.0 Sack, 2.0 TFLs
Top Performers – Muhlenberg
- Michael Hnatkowsky – 22-31, 397 Passing Yards, 4 TDs, Rush TD
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Mark Riggio – 17 Carries, 80 Rushing Yards
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Mitch Daniel – 7 Receptions, 148 Receiving Yards, TD
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Todd Spirt – 3-3 Field Goals (20, 29, 27)
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Frankie Feaster – 9 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 2.5 TFLs
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Mickey Kober – 8 Tackles
Game Summary
- First Quarter: Gettysburg's defense stood tall against the conference's most prolific offense in the first 15 minutes, holding the Mules to a lone field goal despite facing first-and-goal early in the game. Muhlenberg had allowed just five sacks all season, but the Bullets hit Hnatkowsky twice on the same possession with Greene and sophomore Alex Raimondo (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) knocking down the Mules' quarterback. Lessel swatted the next punt attempt and the Bullets recovered the ball deep in Muhlenberg territory. Senior Justin Geisel (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day) just missed a potential tying 41-field goal late in the quarter.
- Second Quarter: Facing third down early in the period, Hnatkowsky fired a 42-yard pass to Michael Feaster for the game's first touchdown. Gettysburg produced its longest drive of the season on the next possession, eating up 7:35 with 15 plays and ending on a 25-yard field goal by Geisel to pull to 10-3. Later in the frame, Muhlenberg pinned the Bullets just outside their own end zone and punter Evan Tannenbaum's (Berwyn, Pa./Conestoga) heel went out-of-bounds on the punt attempt to give the visitor's a safety. Another Mule touchdown made it 19-3 heading into halftime.
- Third Quarter: Muhlenberg expanded the lead with a 29-field goal by Spirt and two touchdowns from Hnatkowsky. The Mules locked down the Bullets defensively with only 13 yards allowed in the quarter.
- Fourth Quarter: The visitors opened the final stanza with a 70-yard touchdown throw from Hnatkowsky to Chris Hillburn. Spirt's third field goal of the day from 27 yards set the final score with 7:45 to play.
By the Numbers
- Muhlenberg out-gained Gettysburg 495-170, including 403-74 through the air.
- The Mules entered the game ranked 5th by both D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
- One week after becoming the program's career leader in punt yards, Tannenbaum set the all-time mark for punt attempts with 184.
- Saturday's game featured two of the top pass rushers in the conference in Muhlenberg's Frankie Feaster and Gettysburg's Alex Raimondo. Feaster added to his conference leads in sacks (10.5) and tackles for a loss (18.5), while Raimondo jumped into second in the CC with 9.5 sacks. Raimondo is third in the conference with 13.5 tackles for a loss.
- LaMore took over the CC lead in pass break-ups with two on Saturday. LaMore has 10 on the season, one more than Shane Jones from Ursinus and Macauley Kilbane from Johns Hopkins.
- Geisel booted his 29th career field goal, moving him into sole possession of second place on Gettysburg's career list. Jim Flynn '86 is No. 1 with 38 field goals made.
Where the Series Stands Now
Muhlenberg cut Gettysburg's lead in the all-time series to 43-40-1. The Mules have won the last eight meetings with the Bullets.
Next Up
Gettysburg finishes the regular season at Franklin & Marshall College (5-4, 4-4 CC) in the annual battle for the Lincoln Trophy at Shadek Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. The Diplomats have won the last three meetings and lead the series 49-48-7.