TIFFIN -- Without the drama and fanfare from last Saturday's win, the No. 22 Heidelberg University Football team enjoyed a matter-of-fact 56-0 win over Muskingum University on Hall of Fame Day and Families Day. The Student Princes controlled all three phases of play for the full 60 minutes.
Led by a pick-six from
Tommie McDonald, the 'Berg defense earned their second shutout of the season. HU limited the Muskies to 172 yards of total offense.
Muskingum punted on the game's opening drive, and Heidelberg went 67 yards in six plays. The drive was capped by a 34-yard strike from
Lance Rickle to
Dmitry Peters.
Gryffin Bradley added the extra point.
On their next drive, HU converted twice on third down to go 61 yards in 10 plays.
Luke Blatnik found paydirt from five yards out. The Tricolor led after one, 14-0.
Muskingum's longest drive of the day took them into the 'Berg red zone. Their 35-yard field goal attempt was batted down by
Austin Niederkohr.
The ensuing possession was capped by a one-yard tush-push touchdown from Rickle.
Up 21-0, Heidelberg forced a three-and-out and took possession at their 42. On the first play, Rickle fired a laser deep down the right side. Speedy receiver
Tyreese Clerveau hauled it in and muscled his way into the end zone.
Still in the second quarter, McDonald stepped in front of a short Muskingum pass, and scampered 34 yards for the score. Bradley hit his fifth PAT of the half, and HU went to the locker room ahead by 35.
Rickle found
Leo Martin alone in the end zone for a score on the first drive of the second half.
Another three-and-out by the visitors gave possession back to HU. On their fifth crack at the goalline from the one, it was Rickle and company plunging forward for the touchdown.
Backup quarterback
Drew Luidhardt threw his first career touchdown pass, finding Clearveau from 15 yards out.
Muskingum's final chance at points stalled inside the 'Berg red zone. With the reserves just as hungry to maintain the shutout, they forced a turnover on downs on 4th-and-two from their own nine.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
Rickle was an efficient 12-for-17 passing for 185 yards and three touchdowns. He added two touchdowns on the ground …
Drew Miller carried the ball 19 times for 121 yards …
Nick Finn had a team-high 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
The last time Heidelberg had two shutouts in a season was 2012 … HU's last pick-six was TK Fikes returning one against Hiram at the start of the 2024 season.
UP NEXT:
Heidelberg hosts Baldwin Wallace at Hoernemann Stadium next weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
