Murray Rushes For 224 as #2 Mount Union Handles Heidelberg
ALLIANCE, Ohio -- Sophomore running back Jeremy Murray (Martins Ferry/Martins Ferry) rushed for a career-high 224 yards on 30 carries, leading the Mount Union football team to a 45-7 victory over Heidelberg on Saturday at Mount Union Stadium.
The Purple Raiders posted their 49th consecutive regular season victory as they move to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Murray scored two touchdowns during Mount Union's 24-point second quarter and was the key component in each of the Raiders' three first-half touchdown drives.
Sophomore quarterback Neal Seaman (Louisville/Louisville) scored the first Purple Raider touchdown from four yards out on the hosts' first possession. It was Seaman's first rushing score of the season.
Murray added 60 all-purpose yards on the next touchdown march, helping the Raiders build a 14-0 lead.
A 23-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Tyler Almeida (Elyria/Elyria) gave Mount Union a 17-0 lead before Murray came through with his second score. He carried the ball six times for 45 yards, finishing it off with a six-yard run.
Just before halftime, the Purple Raider advantage expanded to 31-0 on a 29-yard interception return touchdown by sophomore defensive back Nick Driskill (Wabash, Ind./Southwood).
During the second half, Mount Union did its scoring through the air. Seaman connected with junior wide receiver Ben Shenk (East Petersburg, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) on touchdown receptions of 12 and 23 yards in the third quarter. The Raider quarterback finished 19 of 29 for 287 yards.
Sophomore wide receiver Jasper Collins was the leading Raider pass-catcher, compiling seven catches for 117 yards. Shenk had five grabs for 84 yards.
In total, the Mount Union offense finished with 556 total yards, including 262 on the ground.
After struggling with turnovers in previous weeks, the Purple Raiders did not record any giveaways. On the other side, the hosts forced two turnovers -- both of which were Driskill interceptions.
Junior defensive back Cameron West (Frazeysburg/Tri-Valley) was Mount Union's leading tackler with eight stops. Sophomore defensive lineman Jared Modrak (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley) had a sack and forced fumble.
Heidelberg's lone touchdown was a 9-yard hookup from quarterback Neil Anton to wide receiver Mike Preston.
The Purple Raiders will return to action next Saturday when they play their Homecoming game against Capital at 1:30 p.m.
