For the fourth time in the last two playoff seasons, the Muhlenberg football team proved that it's hard to lose when you don't give up any points.

The Mules recorded nine sacks, forced three turnovers and made three stops in the Red Zone en route to a 14-0 shutout at Delaware Valley in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Mules (11-1) advance to the quarterfinals for the third straight season, where they will face No. 4 Mount Union, a 45-35 winner against Johns Hopkins.

In the Mules' 2019 run to the semifinals, they became the first team in Division III history to record shutouts in both the first round and the second round of the tournament. Now they've done it again.

Including a 55-0 shutout of Moravian in the regular-season finale, Muhlenberg has notched three straight shutouts for the first time since 1942. The Mules have five shutouts on the season, their most since 1947.

Muhlenberg allowed only 53 rushing yards and 15 completions in 47 passing attempts while holding the Aggies (11-1) to three conversions in 17 third-down tries. Delaware Valley scored 62 points last week in its first-round game and had not been shut out at home since 2002.

Four players - senior Pat Palmer (2) and seniors James McGettigan and Quentin Ogren and sophomore Keshon Davila (1½ each) were involved in multiple sacks. Senior Jay McGill tied a school record with four pass breakups - including two in the end zone - and also intercepted a pass in the end zone.

It was a big special teams play that set the tone for the game, as senior John Washington returned the opening kickoff 49 yards into Delaware Valley territory. From there, the Mules needed nine plays to reach the end zone, on a 5-yard pass from senior Michael Hnatkowsky to senior Mitch Daniel. It was the sixth touchdown reception for Daniel in six career postseason games.

The offensive touchdown was the first allowed by the Aggies, who came in leading Division III in several defensive categories, in six games. It was the first time they allowed a touchdown on the first drive in 28 games, dating back to the 2018 season. 

The Mules doubled their lead when Hnatkowsky hit junior Thomas Jenkins from 26 yards out with 4:47 to play in the first half. Hnatkowsky finished 23-of-39 for 256 yards, breaking his own school record for completions in a season (287).

Delaware Valley had a golden opportunity to get back in the game just before halftime after returning a fumble to the Mule 16-yard line, but the defense stood tall, allowing only a completion for a 1-yard loss. On fourth down from the 17, McGill recorded his third interception of the season, his second in as many NCAA Tournament games.

Muhlenberg had a tougher time on offense in the second half, with only one legitimate scoring threat - a blocked field goal following a blocked punt by junior Tyler Ekstrom (pictured above). But the Mule defense made sure that the two-score lead held up.

Senior Kyle Dormer intercepted a pass on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, and senior Nick Sirico added a pick - the fourth of his career in the NCAA Tournament - later in the half.

The Aggies had a first-and-goal at the 8 late in the third quarter, but a second-down quarterback hurry by senior Spencer Kirin and a third-down sack by Ogren pushed the ball back to the 13. On the first play of the fourth quarter, McGill batted away a pass in the end zone.

Delaware Valley's last gasp came with fewer than five minutes to play and a first-and-goal at the 7. Four straight incomplete passes - one broken up by McGill and another broken up by senior Joshua Barnett - preserved the shutout.

The defense punctuated the win with sacks by Palmer and McGettigan on the last two plays of the game.

The nine fifth-year seniors on the Mules now have a career record of 43-7, making them the all-time winningest class in program history.

Muhlenberg will be traveling to Mount Union for a quarterfinal game for the second time. In 2018, the Mules' season was ended with a 38-10 loss.