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.