Football: Mount Union
Puts Up 74 in Convincing Home-Opening Win vs. Muskingum
9/23/2023
| Football | Box Score
ALLIANCE, Ohio
- The No. 2-ranked Mount Union
football team scored 74 points, tying fourth-most in program history, in its
home-opening win against Muskingum at Kehres Stadium on Saturday.
Mount Union
(3-0, 2-0 OAC) handed Muskingum (3-1, 2-1 OAC) its first loss of the season.
The Purple Raiders' 74 points tied for fourth-most in program history (74 vs. Wilmington
in 2014). Mount's four interceptions tied a school record (most recently done
in 2021 at Marietta).
The Fighting Muskies spoiled the shutout with a touchdown in
the third quarter (74-7 final).
Senior Josh Jones (Twinsburg,
Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) set the tone
with a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown, his third career pick-six -
tying third most in program history. It was the longest interception return of
Jones' career.
Senior Tyrell Sanders (Indianapolis,
Ind./Pike) caught a 17-yard touchdown pass
from classmate Braxton Plunk (Plant City, Fla./Plant
City) for his first touchdown grab of the season (fourth
of his career).
Junior Brandon Yanssens (Columbiana,
Ohio/Crestview) picked off Muskingum's Doug
Crawford and returned it for another Mount
Union pick-six, Yanssens' first
career interception. Yanssens pocketed his second pick on Muskingum's very next
drive, which led to a 31-yard touchdown catch by senior Wayne Ruby (Pembroke
Pines, Fla./Charles W.
Flanagan) from Plunk. Ruby is now one receiving touchdown away from tying Cecil
Shorts III's career school record mark of 63.
The Purple Raiders led 28-0 at halftime, highlighted by two
pick-sixes. Mount Union
outgained the Fighting Muskies, 548 to 269 in total offense - including 319 to
59 yards on the ground.
Junior Tyler Echeverry (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) had two
rushing touchdowns, totaling 78 yards off seven carries (11.1 avg.).
Junior Darnell Williams (Cleveland, Ohio/John Adams) led on
the ground with a career-high 94 yards, including a 63-yard run (a career
long). Plunk finished 12 of 17 for 200 yards with two passing touchdowns and a
rushing score. Graduate student running back DeAndre Parker (Crystal River,
Fla./Crystal River) led the Mount receivers with 42 yards.
Freshman kicker Deaglan Camron (Fort Myers, Florida/Bishop
Verot) was a perfect 3 for 3 in field goals, including a career-long 28-yarder.
Punter Michael Franklin (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) improved
on mishandled snap and hold on a field goal attempt and connected with senior
tight end Drew Sims (Fort Wayne, Ind./R. Nelson Snider) for a 10-yard touchdown
pass, the final touchdown of the game.
Junior Von Factor (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) led
the defense with two sacks, followed by sophomore Kaleb Brown (La
Plata, Md./La
Plata) with one. Yanssens and senior Mason McMillen (Wadsworth,
Ohio/Wadsworth)
each had a game-high eight tackles (a career high for Yanssens).
Mount Union
is back at home next Saturday, Sept. 30 for Alumni Weekend/Homecoming against Ohio
Northern with a 2 p.m. kickoff.