Jacob Hunter has already thrown twice as many touchdown passes as he did in 2024, and has had his first two 200-yard passing games. Misericordia athletics photo

By Brian Lester
D3sports.com

With three seconds on the clock and a fourth-and-goal situation staring at Misericordia on Saturday afternoon, junior quarterback Jacob Hunter was confident he’d find a way to punch the ball into the end zone against Lebanon Valley.

“You kind of dream of moments like that, having the opportunity to score late in the game. To help the team win a big game,” Hunter said. “I got to the line of scrimmage and realized how close we were, and I told myself there was no way I was going to let myself not get in the end zone.”

Hunter got in, scoring from a yard out, and the Cougars won 23-21 for their fourth consecutive win, improving to 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the MAC.

It’s the latest highlight in a season where Misericordia is dreaming big, already eclipsing last season’s win total and on track for the program’s second winning campaign -- the first in 2018 when the Cougars finished 8-3.

Don’t get the players wrong. A 4-1 record sure beats 2-3, which is where the Cougars were after five games last season. But the players are anything but satisfied.

“It feels great. It’s a good feeling, but we all know the job isn’t done,” Hunter said. “We’re only halfway through the year. We know we have a lot more football to play.”

Senior linebacker Gavin Morris echoes that sentiment. 

“The job isn’t finished,” Morris said. “4-1 is great, but we could go winless down the stretch if we get complacent. “We’re focused on the input rather than the output.”

That last statement is something first-year head coach Steve Cushing has preached since arriving here in the spring to take the helm of his alma mater, which has only had a football program since 2012.

“It’s nice to hear the guys give the same message we’ve been giving to the team, and that is to not look at the record, but to look at the week to week,” Cushing said. “We’re focused on trying to improve and we keep the focus on the input and the day to day rather than the outcome or the result. I’m proud of the way the guys continue to progress.”

Cushing was part of the only winning season at the school in 2018 before graduating in December of that year. The Cougars finished 8-3 and earned their first ever postseason berth, playing in the Centennial Bowl.

Misericordia had won at least four games only twice since before this year. The last time the Cougars had four wins in a season since 2023. They finished 4-6 that year.

It means a lot to Cushing to help turn the program around.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to be able to come back. I love this place and believe in this place,” Cushing said. “I believe in everyone here. We have a great family atmosphere, and it’s amazing to be able to lead the program I played for. It’s surreal.”

The connection this team has is playing a big part in the success of the program. Morris will attest to that after going through some tough seasons in his career.

“I’ve been here four years, and I can say wholeheartedly this team is much closer than ever,” Morris said. “Me and Jacob went to the fair. That’s something we’ve never done in the past together. We hang out as a team.”

Hunter said it’s been great to see the team unite.

“It doesn’t feel like we are two separate teams, as an offense and defense,” Hunter said. “We are closer, and we are all excited to play for each other and for the coaches. We all enjoy showing up every day.”

It has all played into changing the culture.

“We are holding guys to a higher standard and have focused a lot on the culture aspect,” Cushing said. “I’m proud of the way we have come along and have improved on and off the field while being a bigger part of the campus in a positive light.

“We talk about family, and being a true team, and our winning is a product of that,” Cushing continued. “It’s nice to have the results, but at the end of the day, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished off the field, too.”

Perhaps part of the success for Misericordia can also be linked to Cushing’s background. He was the defensive coordinator at Cortland when it won the NCAA Division III national championship in 2023.

Cushing said a lot of his approach as a coach comes from that time at Cortland and working with Curt Fitzpatrick, the head coach at the time.

“I have the utmost respect for coach Fitzgerald,” Cushing said. “A lot of my messages to the team and what we do day to day are taken from him. “Being input driven and sticking to the process, I learned that from him.”

Offensively, Misericordia is averaging 359.6 yards per game while allowing 305.6.

The Cougars have scored 40-plus twice and Hunter said it’s all about being on the same page.

“We’re clicking at the right time, and the offense coach (Kyle) Gallagher has implemented is easy to learn, and it’s easy to be on the same page in it. It makes it easy for us to go out there and make plays.”

The defense, which has held two opponents to 10 points or less and has only given up more than 21 once, is making plays as well.

“We’re all just doing our jobs,” Morris said. “We trust the scheme and the person next to us. We’re not just playing for ourselves, but for the bigger picture.”

Cushing said his team plays with ‘great effort and attitude’ and continues to take steps forward each day. He believes the best is yet to come.

“I don’t think we’ve had our best week of practice yet or that we’ve played to our full potential yet,” Cushing said. “We’re still trying to play our best game and be the best team we can be in all three phases.”

The players are determined to meet those expectations.

“It’s surreal we are here, and we are trying to stay present in the moment, take it day by day,” Hunter said. We can’t just show up on Saturday and expect to win the football game.”

And focusing on the day and week in front of it is what is most important for the team rather than getting wrapped up in the success it has experienced so far.

“We want to go 1-0 every week,” Morris said. “We don’t get caught in believing in the hype. We control what we can control, go to practice with a level head and work to get better every day.”