Freshman Leo Dauberman intercepted two passes and sophomore Andrew Deutsch booted a pair of field goals as the Muhlenberg football team came from behind twice to defeat Union, 34-26, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Mules (9-2), who reached the nine-win mark for the fourth time in the last six seasons, advance to face second-ranked Mount Union in the second round next Saturday. 

The Garnet Chargers (8-3) twice took seven-point leads in the first half, but both times Muhlenberg responded with a touchdown drive of its own. Scoring strikes from sophomore Luke Spang to senior Aidan Mack (13 yards) and freshman Caleb Pasols (9 yards) sent the teams into a locker room all square at 14-all. The first half ended with just one yard of total offense separating the two teams.

After senior Dante Mahaffey returned the opening kickoff of the second half 34 yards, the Mules took their first lead at 17-14 on a 25-yard field goal by Deutsch.

On the third play of the next possession, Dauberman intercepted a pass deep down the middle and returned his first career pick 48 yards to the Union 9-yard line. Two plays later, Mahaffey (pictured above) carried in from 5 yards out for his fifth rushing TD of the season, extending the margin to 10.

The Garnet Chargers refused to go away though, answering with a 13-play, 86-yard drive for their third touchdown. Sophomore Chris Holland blocked the extra point, however, leaving the score at 24-20.

A 44-yard catch-and-run by senior Matthew Manning set up Mack's second touchdown of the game, a 4-yard reception early in the fourth quarter to make the score 31-20.

Again Union responded with a touchdown drive. Needing to go for two to get within a field goal, due to the blocked extra point, the Garnet Chargers were stopped on a trick play, leaving the margin at five points.

Deutsch, who came in with one field goal all season, knocked through his second three-pointer from 32 yards out with 1:38 remaining to push the lead to 34-26 - still a one-score game. Union advanced to near midfield before Dauberman picked off a pass with 57 seconds left to ice the game.

Spang finished with 241 passing yards and the three touchdowns in his first career postseason start. Mahaffey was the Mules' leading rusher with 37 yards and also caught three passes for 44 yards and returned three kickoffs for 84 yards.

Sophomore Thomas Cerruti and freshman Triston McNeal led a defense that allowed only 72 yards rushing with nine tackles apiece. Junior CJ Newman had a big game, recording seven stops, including the only sack of the game and a big hit on a pass play.