Muhlenberg claims share of Centennial title
Muhlenberg claimed a share of the Centennial Conference title on Saturday with a convincing 53-7 drubbing of rivals Moravian at Rocco Calvo Field.
Quarterback Michael Hnatkowski threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns on 17 of 21 passing, while also running for 19 yards on three carries.
Mark Riggio ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries and James Diggs added a pair of scores and 83 yards on 17 attemtps for the Mules, who finished the season 9-1.
Ryan Curtiss caught six passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, Nick Ugarte hauled in four passes for 48 yards and a score, while Thomas Murphy hauled in a 21-yard TD pass from Hnatkowski.
Matt Gibbon ran for a touchdown in the victory as well.
Christopher Mills completed 13 of 27 passes for 143 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, while Eddie Olsen scored the Greyhounds’ lone touchdown.
Eli Redmond rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries in defeat for Moravian, which finished the season 5-5.
Muhlenberg put up 20 first-quarter points as Diggs ran for a 2-yard score to cap an eight-play, 50-yard drive and Ugarte hauled in a 26-yard TD strike from Hnatkowski before Riggio scored from two yards out with 26 seconds to play in the frame.
Curtiss and Murphy caught TD passes from Hnatkowski in the second quarter to put the Mules up 33-0 at the break.
Mills found Olsen for a score from five yards out midway through the third quarter, but the game was already in hand as Gibbon ran to paydirt from seven yards out in the final frame to ice it for Muhlenberg. claiming a 23-17 win over Clarion at Memorial Stadium.
The Warriors endured an eight-game losing streak and absorbed the departure of a legendary head coach, but came out with an excellent effort to finish 2-9.
Redshirt freshman QB Jake Cirillo threw for 142 yards and a touchdown on 14 of 24 passing, while also running for 88 yards and a score on 14 carries.
Devante Robinson ran for 93 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and caught five passes for 20 yards and a score in the victory.
Jeff Clemens threw for 246 yards and two interceptions on 14 of 25 passing, while Scott Florence and Rob Korzon found the end zone for Clarion, which finished the season 4-7.
With his team down 17-16 after three quarters, the Warriors’ Joseph Ruggiero recovered a fumble by Clemens to give ESU possession at the Clarion 16.
One play later, Robinson rumbled 20 yards to the end zone for the go-ahead score and the visitors held on for the victory.