The Muhlenberg football team scored on eight of its first 10 possessions and toppled Susquehanna, 52-27, in a big Centennial Conference game.

Both teams entered the game ranked in Division III by the D3football.com (Muhlenberg 16th and Susquehanna 25th) and tied for first place in the CC, along with Johns Hopkins. With the win, the Mules (8-1, 7-1) remained tied for first with Hopkins but took the inside track on the CC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, due to their head-to-head win against the Blue Jays. 

Muhlenberg can clinch at least a share of its third straight championship and the NCAA bid by defeating Moravian in its regular-season finale.

The Mules also reached eight wins for the ninth consecutive season and snapped Susquehanna's 13-game home winning streak.

Senior Michael Hnatkowsky continued to add to his record season, completing 25 of 29 passes for 380 yards and six touchdowns. The six TD passes tied the school record he set against Gettysburg earlier this season, and he also broke the school and CC records for career completions (888) and yards of total offense (12,101). Hnatkowsky tied the school record for career 300-yard games (10) and moved into a tie for 11th place on the all-time Division III list with 130 career touchdown passes. 

The six touchdown passes were split evenly between seniors Michael Feaster (10 catches for 174 yards) and Mitch Daniel (8-119). Feaster now has 76 receptions on the season, just one short of the school record, and Daniel became only the second receiver in program history to have two three-TD games in the same season.

Muhlenberg won the opening toss - or so it seemed. The referee incorrectly identified the side of the coin initially and changed the ruling, awarding the toss to the River Hawks (7-2, 6-2). That was one of the last things that went their way.

Senior John Washington returned the opening kickoff 51 yards, and four plays later Hnatkowsky hit a leaping Feaster in the middle of the end zone from 12 yards out for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Mules doubled their lead before the first quarter was half over when Hnatkowsky found Feaster open down the left sideline for a 70-yard pass play.

After the Muhlenberg defense forced consecutive three-and-outs, Hnatkowsky and Feaster teamed up for the third time on fourth-and-1 from the 16 on the first play of the second quarter.

The first of Daniels' three scores, from 27 yards out, came on the next possession, and the Mules took a 31-13 lead into the locker room after sophomore Nick Stannard hit a 23-yard field goal with 23.8 seconds on the clock.

Sophomore Matt Papa blocked the extra point following Susquehanna's second touchdown.

The River Hawks closed to within 31-20 by scoring on their first drive of the second half, but junior Thomas Jenkins returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for an apparent touchdown. He was called for a premature celebration, however, and Muhlenberg took possession at the 19 instead. Two plays later, Daniel caught his second touchdown pass.

Junior Ethan Brader, who rushed for a career-high 61 yards, closed out the Mules' scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Senior Spencer Kirin led the defense with 10 tackles, and junior Josh Ferro had half of the Mules' three sacks. Senior Nick Sirico broke up three passes.

pictured above: Sophomore Isaiah Lobelo brings down the Susquehanna quarterback with one of his six tackles.