The Muhlenberg football team opened up a 42-7 lead early in the second half and went on to a 45-26 win against The College of New Jersey in its 2019 season opener.

Junior Michael Hnatkowsky and senior Todd Spirt both enjoyed record days. Hnatkowsky completed 17 of 25 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns, tying the school record for TD passes achieved five times previously.

Spirt was perfect on six extra-point tries to become the Mules' all-time career leader with 140 made PATs. He also booted a 28-yard field goal.

The Mules wasted little time asserting themselves. On the very first play from scrimmage of the new season, junior linebacker Spencer Kirin intercepted a pass at the Lions 38. It was the sixth time in the last seven years that Muhlenberg forced a turnover on the opponent's first play from scrimmage.

Four plays later, Hnatkowsky tossed the first of his scoring passes, 25 yards to junior Mitch Daniel.

Muhlenberg added two more touchdowns before the quarter was out, the first on a 1-yard run by senior Mark Riggio (pictured above) with 5:05 on the clock. After the defense forced a three-and-out, junior Sean Jansson returned the ensuing punt 26 yards, and on the next play Hnatkowsky delivered a perfect pass to well-covered senior Max Kirin in the end zone.

Kirin and Daniel also caught touchdown passes in the second quarter. Daniel's came after a 28-yard punt return by Jansson and capped a memorable debut for the junior, who missed his first two seasons with injuries.

Sophomore Michael Feaster caught his first career touchdown pass to cap the opening drive of the second half, giving Hnatkowsky the record and the Mules a 42-7 advantage.

Jansson finished with 96 yards on five punt returns. Junior James Diggs totaled 99 all-purpose yards.

Despite giving up three late touchdowns, the defense held TCNJ to 14 rushing yards. Spencer Kirin added two tackles for loss to his interception, and senior Brian Raguseo recorded three tackles for loss, one of which forced a fumble.

Senior Joseph O'Hagan recorded his fifth career interception in the end zone to thwart a TCNJ scoring attempt, and junior Joshua Barnett and sophomore James McGettigan contributed to the Mules' four forced turnovers with fumble recoveries.