Wesley 20, Muhlenberg 0

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Wesley football team broke a scoreless tie with two touchdowns in the final 2:49 of the first half and went on to defeat Muhlenberg, 20-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships.

The Wolverines (9-1), who won their ninth straight, advance to play Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second round. The Mules end their season with a 9-2 record.

The result ended Muhlenberg’s 13-game home winning streak and snapped its school-record streak of 116 games without being shut out. The Mules were last blanked by Hartwick in 1998.

Neither team could muster much offense for most of the first half. Muhlenberg had a good scoring opportunity early in the second quarter on a drive kept alive by Codie Bender’s 27-yard run on a fake punt from the Mule 38. The Mules had first-and-goal from the 9, but Eric Santagato’s second-down pass into the end zone was dropped, and Michael Katz’ 26-yard field goal attempt drifted wide left.

Wesley drove back down the field and had a second-and-1 at the Muhlenberg 4, but lost a yard on the next two plays. On fourth down, Collin Blugis missed a 22-yard field goal.

The Wolverines finally broke through after taking over at their own 41 with 3:32 left, and they needed only three plays. After Larry Beavers drew a pass interference penalty, he rushed 22 yards on a reverse to bring the ball to the 22. On the next play, Aaron Jackson turned the left corner and raced into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.

Muhlenberg’s next drive was halted when Santagato was stopped a yard short of a first down at the Wesley 32 with 39 seconds left. The Wolverines drove to the Mule 42, then got pushed back by a penalty. On fourth down from the 45, Shane McSweeny lofted a Hail Mary pass that Sean McAndrew caught in the back of the end zone on the final play of the half.

The Wolverines extended their lead to 20-0 when tight end Jon Lanouette caught tipped 7-yard pass in the end zone on their first drive of the second half. The four-play scoring drive was set up when Sean Matthews recovered a Santagato fumble at the Muhlenberg 23.

Wesley missed another short field goal after Marcus Wilson returned an interception 58 yards. Muhlenberg was stopped on downs at the 27 on its last possession.

Jackson rushed for 106 yards on 25 carries, while McSweeny was 9-of-14 for 133 yards and the two touchdowns. Wilson and Matthews made eight tackles apiece to lead the defense.

Santagato, who came in ranked 18th in Division III in pass efficency, was just 17-of-37 for 129 yards. He was the Mules’ leading rusher with 61 yards on 18 carries. Wesley held running back John DeLuca, the Centennial Conference player of the year, to 30 yards on 14 carries.



Press release submitted by Muhlenberg on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:21 PM Eastern