NEW CONCORD, Ohio – It wasn't pretty, but the No. 24 Heidelberg University football team made enough plays to escape with a 36-13 win at Muskingum . The Student Princes defense used four takeaways to help the Tricolor remain unbeaten at 4-0 overall, 3-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Muskingum heads to their bye week with a 1-4 record, 0-4 in the conference.
KEY STATS
Jermaine Burket had two interceptions and Verondtae Wilkinson had a 36 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Tyler Stoyle threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns. He was 28-of-46 with two interceptions.
Tony Morris (eight receptions for 161 yards) and Demetrius Magee (seven grabs for 111 yards and three touchdowns ) both went over 100 yards for the second straight game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An Austin Crow strip-sack on the second Muskingum play was scooped up by Malik Dudley. Given great field position, the Berg offense cashed in for a touchdown. Demetrius Magee grabbed a Tyler Stoyle pass on 4th-and-goal from the 2. On the PAT, Trace Reynolds picked up a rolling snap and sprinted for the right pylon for a 2-point conversion.
On the very next offensive play, Verondtae Wilkinson picked up a mishandled ball on an option play and sprinted 36 yards for a touchdown. Quickly, Heidelberg led 15-0.
The score remained 15-0 into the second quarter until the Muskies got on the board with a touchdown pass. Down 15-7 and poised to score again, a 22-yard Muskie field goal attempt went wide right.
With their early momentum gone, the Heidelberg offense embarked on a much-needed 80-yard touchdown drive that ended with a Cameron Vocke 4-yard plunge. Austin Baker's PAT gave Heidelberg a 22-7 lead at halftime.
Starting with the ball in the second half, Heidelberg quickly marched in for a score – a 20 yard pass from Stoyle to Magee.
Up 29-7, Stoyle and Magee connected for another touchdown – their third of the game. The drive was aided by a fake punt by Austin Baker – a 12-yard rush on 4th-and-10.
The Tricolor led 36-7 to start the fourth. Muskingum added a touchdown midway through the final stanza. Dudley blocked the extra point.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Reynolds' 2-point conversion was the first for Heidelberg since Nov. 14, 2015.
Wilkinson's scoop-and-score was the first for the Student Princes since Clay Staib fell on the ball in the end zone against Wilmington on Oct. 31, 2015.
With a 3rd quarter interception, Jermaine Burket became the fourth Student Prince with multiple picks in the first four games. With his 4th quarter pick, he became the third HU player with a multi-interception game in two weeks.
Stoyle's day was his 10th career 300+ yard game.
QUOTES FROM THE COACH
Head coach Scott Donaldson on the sluggish performance: "I didn't think we would have that big-game hangover, but I think we did, which is my fault. I'm not saying we played bad, but we did not play to our potential … there are a lot of things we need to clean up.
Donaldson on his defense: "We got good pressure on the quarterback ... and when you do that, good things happen … Anytime you're able to score a defensive touchdown, it's a game changer."
UP NEXT
It's a big one. Heidelberg hosts No. 2 Mount Union (4-0, 3-0) at Hoernemann Stadium on Oct. 7. Kickoff on Local Community Business Day is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. TICKET INFORMATION