ALLIANCE – On a blustery day at Mount Union Stadium, the host Purple Raiders blew past the Heidelberg University football team. No. 3 Mount Union broke away with a 21-point third quarter and won 58-17.
KEY STATS
Mount Union (6-0, 5-0 OAC) gouged the Berg for 746 yards of total offense, including 451 yards on the ground.
Each team turned the ball over three times. Mount Union converted the turnovers into 14 points. Heidelberg (4-2, 3-2 OAC) only managed three points off of the three Purple Raider fumbles.
Christian Dominguez finished with a career high 110 yards, eight catches and a touchdown. Donteea Dye had six receptions for 117 yards.
Despite being knocked around, quarterback Michael Mees was 21-for-43 passing for 293 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown. He rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown in 15 carries.
THE FIRST QUARTER
After winning the toss and electing to receive, the Student Princes went three-and-out. With a cold wind at his back, Kevin Burke connected with Roman Namdar for a 63-yard touchdown strike on the first MTU play from scrimmage.
Another Heidelberg three-and-out gave the ball back to the Purple Raiders who scored again. A nine-play, 62-yard drive was capped off by a three-yard rush by B.J. Mitchell.
On the next Mount Union possession, the home team drove deep into Heidelberg territory. On a carry by Brandon Williams, Adam Wolbert forced a fumble which was recovered by HU senior Cale Sandridge.
The ensuing Heidelberg possession, aided by a costly MTU personal foul, ended with a 25-yard field goal by Stephen Smith.
THE SECOND QUARTER
Facing the wind, Purple Raider punter Edward Ruhnke mishandled a snap and Heidelberg took over at the Mount 42. Scrambling to his right, Mees lofted a ball over a Purple Raider cornerback and into the waiting arms of Christian Dominguez for a 30-yard touchdown. Smith's PAT brought HU to within four at 14-10.
Undaunted, the Purple Raiders unleashed two touchdown drives before halftime. Burke went over from a yard out, then connected on a 36-yard pass to Taurice Scott. Ruhnke's PAT on the second touchdown was wide, giving Mount Union a 27-10 lead.
After an interception thrown by Mees, it looked as though the Purple Raiders would score again. Logan Nemeth took a carry off to his left, cut back to the middle and broke toward the goal line. Just prior to reaching paydirt, Jimmy Turner hit Nemeth, who fumbled the ball into the end zone. Tim Littles recovered for a touchback.
The resulting possession ended with a missed 36-yard field goal by Smith in the final seconds of the half.
THE THIRD QUARTER
Teams traded turnovers on their opening possessions. Burke fumbled at the HU 37, recovered by Austin Bentz. Heidelberg drove the ball down to the MTU two, but on third down, a Mees pass into the end zone was intercepted by Cody Pogorelc.
Mitchell leapt over the offensive line on a one-yard plunge on 4th-and-goal on the ensuing MTU possession. His second TD of the game ended a 14-play, 80-yard drive that grinded more than six minutes off of the clock and game MTU a 34-10 lead.
Mount Union padded their lead on an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, aided by an electric 45-yard rushby Mitchell. Burke went over from two yards out.
Miscommunication on the ensuing kickoff resulted in a fumble, recovered by Mt. Union. Three plays later, Burke hit Luc Meachem for another touchdown.
THE FOURTH QUARTER
A 28-yard field goal by Ruhnke opened scoring in the final stanza with a 28-yard field goal.
The Student Princes scored their final touchdown on a nine-play, 74-yard drive. Mees crossed the goal line from five yards out.
The final score of the game came on a five-yard rush by MTU's Germany Woods.
QUOTES OF NOTE
Heidelberg head coach Mike Hallett on not capitalizing on Mount Union turnovers: "We had our shots … we had some scoring opportunities and we didn't capitalize on them. That's on me, that's on the kids, that's on all of us.
Hallett on the play of WR Christian Dominguez: "He was a real spark plug for us … he was really rallying up and making some plays. I'm happy to see Christian, as a senior, have an opportunity to play great. He was very motivated and played very spirted all day."
Hallett on the gritty performance of QB Michael Mees: "He got pummeled a bit … we have to correct that up front. It was as tough of a performance as I've seen since Steve West was a senior (in Hallett's first year at Heidelberg in 2007), when we weren't as good up front … Mike kept rallying and kept fighting and I'm proud of him for that."
Hallett on moving forward: "We'll watch this one, we'll evaluate it and we'll move on. It's the same thing we do when we win. Our guys will have to come ready to work and I'm sure they will – they always have … I've got great confidence that they're going to prepare to play four great games.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Dominguez and Dye are the first duo of HU receivers to go over 100 yards in a game since Mike Preston (182 yds) and Mario Walton (154 yds) accomplished the feat in a 60-50 loss at Capital in 2010.
Cameron Vocke was the most effective rusher for Heidelberg. The sophomore finished with 72 yards on 11 carries
Clay Staib had 12 tackles, including two for a loss.
Mount Union sacked Mees six times. It was the first time Mees was sacked since the second week of the season.
MOVING ON
Heidelberg hosts Marietta next Saturday. One week after falling late to Baldwin Wallace 40-33, the Pioneers were thrashed by John Carroll, 80-0. Game time at Hoernemann Stadium is at 1:30 p.m.