ZANESVILLE -- The Heidelberg University football team did some damage to the program's record book during their dominant 49-14 win over Muskingum University on Saturday.  Zach Blackiston moved into first place in career sacks and Maceo Matthews Jr. took hold of the top spot in career receiving yards as the Student Princes improved to 6-2 on the season.  

While Blackiston and Matthews set career marks, wide receiver Brandon Reed continued his stellar campaign with 200 all-purpose yards -- a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 105 yards receiving.  

Griffin Pendry had a fumble recovery and an interception, helping the defense hold the formidable Muskie offense to 14 points -- none in the second half.  

Montavious Yearby got Heidelberg on the board with two-yard and one-yard touchdown rushes on The Berg's second and third drives of the first quarter.  He finished with 126 yards on 17 carries.  Branden Steckel connected on both extra points, giving HU a 14-0 lead after one.  

Muskingum, hosting the game at Zanesville High School's Sulsberger Stadium while their own venue is undergoing a facelift, scored early in the second with a six-yard pass from Jordan Garrett to Zuri Edmondson.

The Muskie momentum was short-lived. Reed took the ensuing kickoff on a bounce at his 5-yard line and darted left.  Breaking tackles at the Heidelberg 35 and 40, Reed outraced the Muskies down the left sideline and into the end zone.  The kickoff return TD -- Heidelberg's first since Yearby's 87-yarder in the 2019 season opener at Adrian -- came after many near misses this season for Reed.  

After the defense forced a three-and-out, HU went on an 11-play, 63-yard touchdown drive that included a 10-yard scramble by quarterback Drew Sims on 4th-and-10 from the Muskingum 25.  Sims hit Matthews for a 14-yard touchdown reception in which the receiver went airborne to hit paydirt.  Sims finished with 148 yards and three touchdown passes. 

The Muskies closed to within 14 after a touchdown late in the second quarter, but they left too much time on the clock for the quick-strike Student Princes.  Two completions to Reed and a 12-yard scramble by Sims moved the ball down to the Muskie eight-yard line with 23 seconds left.  After a timeout, Sims hit Glenn Pearson on a slant for a touchdown -- the first of Pearson's career.  Steckel's PAT gave Heidelberg a 35-14 lead at the break.  

After a 27-yard punt return by Matthews gave HU great field position, Reed took a pop-pass on a jet sweep and scampered 20 yards for a touchdown. 

Early in the fourth, the Tricolor scored the game's final touchdown with a 12-play drive.  Jace Grossman carried the ball on 10 of the plays, including the capper -- a three-yard touchdown plunge.  Steckel remained perfect with his seventh PAT.  

Though the outcome was apparent, the Heidelberg defense stood tall on the final Muskingum drive.  HU preserved the second-half shutout by forcing a turnover on downs inside the red zone.   

Matthews' first reception of the day pushed him past Mike Preston atop the receiving list.  From 2007-2010, Preston -- who went on to play in the NFL -- amassed 2,748 yards.  After Saturday, Matthews is sitting at 2,770 yards.

A second-quarter sack by Blackiston pushed him past 'Berg Hall of Famer Brian Wright.  Wright had 26.5 sacks from 1986-89.  Blackiston now sits at 27 sacks.  With 45 career tackles for loss, Blackiston is one away from third-place all-time.  

Heidelberg returns home for Senior Day next Saturday.  Nationally-ranked John Carroll (6-2, 6-1) visits Hoernemann Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.