Alliance, Ohio – October 16, 2010 – The Heidelberg University football team’s high octane offense made it into the University of Mount Union territory, but could not convert and dropped a 45-7 decision to the host Purple Raiders this afternoon at Mount Union Stadium in Alliance, Ohio. The win improves Mount Union, who is ranked second in the nation according to D3football.com, to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Berg stands at 2-4 and 1-4.
Heidelberg opened the contest with two trips to Mount Union territory in the first quarter, but could not find the end zone. In the second, the Berg’s offense had three quick possessions and Mount Union pulled out to a 31-0 lead at halftime. Mount Union scored on every possession in the opening half.
In the second half, Mount Union picked up where it left off, scoring out of the gate. The Berg defense settled in and forced three Purple Raiders punts on its final four possessions, including a scoreless fourth quarter.
Heidelberg copied its trips to Mount Union territory in the third quarter, before marching 85 yards in 11 plays to start the fourth quarter with a touchdown. Freshman quarterback Neil Anton (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / Hialeah Miami Lakes) connected with senior wide receiver Mike Preston (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid) for a nine-yard touchdown with 10:17 left in the game. Senior place kicker Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County) connected on the point after to finish the scoring drive.
Preston’s touchdown was his 11th on the year, which set a new single season record. A week ago, he increased his season total to 10, which tied the mark held by Chuck Longnecker (1985) and Charles Ritzler (1984). For the game Preston hauled in five passes for 101 yards. It was Preston’s fourth 100-yard outing on the year.
For the game, Heidelberg had 314 yards of total offense, while Mount Union finished with 556 yards.
Under center, Anton completed 2-of-3 passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. Senior Andrew Miller (Dalton, Ohio / Dalton) connected of 8-of-24 passes for 141 yards.
On the ground, Heidelberg’s Germany Woods (Cleveland, Ohio / Saint Edward) nearly registered his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game. He finished with 92 yards in 20 carries.
Heidelberg’s secondary set some new career-highs against Mount Union. Sophomore Tyler Levanduski (Amherst, Ohio / Steele) led the team with a career-best 13 tackles, highlighted by a career-high 11 solos stops. Levanduski also had a pass break up. Backing Levanduski was classmate Justin Stewart (Maplewood, Ohio / Sidney) with a career-high 10 hits, all of which were solo tackles.
Senior Vaughn Klein (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) finished with six tackles, with three being for a loss of 20 yards, as well as a sack. Also recording a sack was junior Jake Mitchell (Wyandotte, Mich. / Wyandotte).