Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – Sophomore quarterback Tristan Chester (Charlestown, Ind.) threw for a personal single-game high 188 yards and a touchdown, as Manchester University kept things nearly even throughout the opening 30 minutes at Mt. St. Joseph University's Schuler Field Saturday, Sept. 24.
Chester hit senior wide receiver Matt Wirick (Granger, Ind.) on a 38-yard scoring strike in the closing minute of the first period for a 7-7 tie. Coach Nate Jensen's crew answered an early second stanza score by the Lions late in the first half, as senior linebacker Nathan Birk (Indianapolis, Ind.) stepped in front of an aerial attempt at MSJ's 26 and set up a 24-yard scoring drive. Chester closed it with a one-yard plunge, bringing the count to 14-13. A two-point pass attempt that would have given the Black and Gold a halftime edge missed keeping the tally the same at the break.
The second 30 minutes belonged to the home team. MSJ, moving to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, scored on four of its six possessions, while their defense limited the Spartans to 123 total yards in route to a 38-19 victory. MU, dropping to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the league, did take advantage of a Lions' fumble in the fourth quarter, as freshman quarterback Alex Downard (Indianapolis, Ind.) made a solid debut, going three-for-three for 61 yards and a touchdown on the drive. He hit sophomore running back Tyler Pruitt (Springfield, Ohio) on an eight-yard scoring play to wrap up the scoring.
Defensively, junior linebacker Jack Kay (Williamsport, Ind.) guided a unit that turned over Mt. St. Joseph three times. He tallied nine tackles, while senior linebacker Jordan Kleber (Seymour, Ind.) and junior defensive back Mitch Oskam (St. John, Ind.) ended with five each.
The Spartans return to Carl W. Burt Memorial Field Saturday, Oct. 1, for their annual Samaritan's Feet recognition game. Franklin College makes the northern trip for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.