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RICHMOND, IND. – Bolstered by a powerful offensive attack, Manchester University turned in an impressive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opening win, defeating Earlham College 67-23 Saturday, Sept. 19. Evening their season record (1-1), Coach Shannon Griffith's team weaved through the Quakers' defense to the tune of 584 yards, as sophomore running back Hunter Hardee (Fishers, Ind.) rushed for three scores and senior quarterback Logan Haston (Avon, Ind.) threw for three more.
The victory, continuing a strong recent theme for the Black and Gold in league openers as they've been victorious in six of the last eight and the overall series versus EC (sixth straight decision), registered in the Spartans' historical annals. The 67 points are the most in a game for the program since 1939, when then-Manchester College piled up 69 against Bluffton and 72 against Defiance.
Griffith noted he was happy with the offense and how fresh they looked coming off a bye week. "It was a good go for us (after the off week)," he said. "The most important thing is that we won. There was a lot of improvement from the opener at Trine, but there are definitely some things we need to work on before Mount St. Joseph comes to our place."
The match-up started early in MU's favor. After the Spartans' defense stopped the Quakers and forced them to punt on their first drive, the offense answered with a touchdown on its first possession and was off the races. A one-yard plunge from Hardee to close a five-play, 49-yard scoring march was the first of nine consecutive possessions in which the visitors found the end zone at Darrell Beane Stadium. EC (0-3 overall, 0-1 HCAC) did force a punt and recover a fumble late in the game to stop the charge.
Hardee's second successive 100-yard-plus ground effort, a first for the Spartans since the 2012 campaign, was coupled with Haston's 204-yard passing attack to lift the offense. Junior wide receiver Dakota Nelson (Fairland, Ind.) got in on the act, too, with five catches for 83 yards and also rushed for more than 80 yards which included a highlight reel 65-yard touchdown scamper which opened the second period scoring. Junior tight end Brandon Webb (Fort Wayne, Ind.) aided the attack with 71 receiving yards on three catches.
MU's defense played an important role as well. Junior defensive back Nathan Birk (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the way with 13 tackles, three of which were solo, while junior linebacker Jordan Kleber (Seymour, Ind.) contributed 10 tackles. Senior defensive back Taylor Anglemyer (Wakarusa, Ind.) had a standout day. A fumble recovery, which was taken back for six points in the second quarter, and an interception, went along with his two solo tackles.
Manchester University opens its four-game home slate Saturday, Sept. 26. Mount St. Joseph makes the trip to Carl W. Burt Field for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.