Oct 02, 2021
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Senior Doug Cummings '22 (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) booted a record-breaking 55-yard field goal and Gettysburg College turned in a pair of 72-yard touchdown receptions, but 23rd-ranked Muhlenberg College countered with its own record-breaking day from senior quarterback Michael Hnatkowsky in a 54-19 decision at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium Saturday afternoon.
| Final Results | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| #23 Muhlenberg (4-1, 3-1 CC) | 14 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 54 |
| Gettysburg (1-4, 1-3 CC) | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 19 |
Gettysburg's Top Performers
- Sal DeBenedetto '22 (Old Tappen, N.J./Northern Valley): 5 Rec., 132 Yards, TD
- Mike Vigliano '23 (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg): 2 Rec., 74 Yards, TD
- Mason Stolarik '23 (Ellicott City, Md./Howard): 18-31, 270 Yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- Doug Cummings '22 (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley): 2 Field Goals (29, 55)
- Justin Adedinsewo '23 (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School): 11 Tackles, 2 Break-ups
- Matt Lynch '22 (Bridgewater, N.J./Immaculata): 10 Tackles, 1.0 TFL
- Alex Raimondo '22 (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville): 5 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks
- Johnny O'Beirne '22 (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel): 5 Tackles, INT, Break-up
Muhlenberg's Top Performers
- Michael Hnatkowsky: 23-29, 407 Yards, 6 TDs, INT
- Mitch Daniel: 7 Rec., 171 Yards, 3 TD
- Ethan Brader: 13 Carries, 52 Yards, TD
- Thomas Jenkins: 4 Rec., 91 Yards, TD
- Pat Palmer: 10 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks
- Spencer Kirin: 8 Tackles
- Steve Sanders: 2 INT
Game Summary
- First Quarter: Muhlenberg came up empty on its first two drives with the Gettysburg defense holding strong thanks to a sack by Raimondo and two pass break-ups by Adedinsewo. The Mules converted on their third possession with Hnatkowsky finding Daniel for a 22-yard score. The Bullets fired right back with a 72-yard heave from Stolarik to a streaking DeBenedetto down the left side. The two-point conversion failed, making it 7-6 with 2:58 left in the period. The visitors closed the quarter with another score as Hnatkowsky found Daniel for back-to-back passes totaling 57 yards and pushing the lead to 14-6.
- Second Quarter: Muhlenberg coughed the ball up twice in the second quarter with a muffed punt return and on an interception by O'Beirne. The Mules gave up little ground in holding the Bullets off the board following both turnovers. The visitors took advantage of a short punt with Hnatkowsky snapping a pass to the tight end for a 21-6 lead with 1:03 left. Gettysburg came back with a quick scoring drive, highlighted by a 32-yard pass to DeBenedetto and ending on a 29-yard field by Cummings. Muhlenberg entered the break with a 21-9 lead.
- Third Quarter: The Mules padded the lead on another touchdown toss by their quarterback before Cummings stole the show. The Bullets drove into Muhlenberg territory, but the drive stalled at the 38-yard line. Senior holder Mike Cassidy (Wall, N.J./Wall) set up on the 45-yard line with Cummings a few feet behind and to the left. The snap was on point and Cummings approached and booted the ball clean through the uprights, clearing the cross bar by several feet and breaking both the program and conference records at 5:19. The celebration was short-lived as Muhlenberg came right back with a touchdown to push the lead to 34-12. Gettysburg wasn't done with the highlight reel, however, with Stolarik connecting with Vigliano for another 72-yard touchdown which set the score at 34-19 heading into the final quarter.
- Fourth Quarter: The Mules padded their advantage with a rushing score from Brader and a 71-yard touchdown throw from Hnatkowsky to start the fourth quarter. Sanders picked off Stolarik twice in the quarter and the Mules stopped the Bullets twice on fourth-down conversions. The game's final score came with four minutes left with Joe Repetti finding Andrew Darno for a 28-yard reception.
By the Numbers
- Muhlenberg out-gained Gettysburg 549-259. Most of the Mules damage came through the air with Hnatkowsky and Repetti combining for 442 yards. The visitors also led in time of possession 33:26-26:34.
- Cummings field goal bested the previous school record by seven yards and topped his career long by 11 yards. The previous school record was set by Richard Eppleman '79 against Bucknell University in 1976 and tied by Josh Huson '08 against McDaniel College in 2009. Cummings tacked on three yards to the Centennial Conference record which was held by Mark Slevin of Franklin & Marshall College (1983) and Ben Scott of Johns Hopkins University (2006). Cummings has connected on his last five field goals and leads the conference with seven field goals made this fall.
- DeBenedetto turned in his second career 100-yard receiving game. The senior wide receiver posted 138 yards against Juniata in 2019.
- O'Beirne recorded his team-best third interception of the season. Gettysburg has totaled eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries this fall.
- With 1.5 sacks, Raimondo moved into a tie for the conference lead with five sacks this season. The senior also moved into 10th on Gettysburg's all-time list with 16.5 career sacks.
- Hnatkowsky set Muhlenberg's career passing record before surpassing the Centennial record with his 71-yard fourth-quarter throw. He broke his program's record held Nick Palladino and he surpassed Hewitt Tomlin from Johns Hopkins for the conference career mark. Hnatkowsky, who has thrown for over 350 yards in three consecutive games, now has 10,538 career yards.
Where the Series Stands Now
Muhlenberg closed the gap in the series to two games with its ninth-straight win over Gettysburg. The Bullets remain in front 43-41-1.
Next Up
Following the conference-wide bye week, Gettysburg resumes action at Susquehanna University (5-0, 4-0 CC) on Friday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m.