Box Score
(Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson football team tried to rally against Muhlenberg College on Saturday, but fell short to the Mules, 34-20.
The Mules returned a punt to the Dickinson 43 yard line and scored on a 12 yard run by quarterback Nick Palladino, six plays later, to take a 7-0 lead.
After trading punts the rest of the quarter, Muhlenberg struck again at the 10:40 mark of the second. Palladino threw for 50 yards, capping the drive with a six yard pass to Michael Long for a 14-0 lead.
The ensuing kick-off skipped off the turf, leading to a fumble that was recovered by the Mules' Alexander Meller. The Red Devil defense was able to hold Muhlenberg to a field-goal after they took over on the Dickinson 33 yard line.
Senior Walker Moriarty (Snowmass Village, Colo./Aspen) came up with a big, six yard sack to stall the drive, forcing a 30 yard field-goal from Connor Winter.
The Devils answered with a 33 yard kick-off return from Anders Overhaug (Yarmouth, Maine/Yarmouth), combined with a 15-yard penalty to give them possession at the Muhlenberg 47. Senior Devin Gaby (Arlington, Va./Yorktown) made a seven yard catch, then broke free with a 25 yard reception to the Muhlenberg seven yard line.
Senior Cole Ahnell (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) connected with first-year Darrion Bunce (Kelowa, B.C./The Gunnery, Conn.) with a seven yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 17-7, with 2:56 remaining in the half.
Palladino capped a 70 play drive with a 22 yard touchdown pass to Cody Geyer with just 21 seconds on the clock, taking a 24-7 advantage into halftime.
After senior Connor Thompson (Jenkintown, Pa./Father Judge) almost picked-off a pass in the flat, Palladino regrouped to finish and eight play drive with a 26 yard strike to Long, putting the Mules in front 31-7, with 11:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Ahnell took the Devils on a 72 yard drive, breaking a 30 yard run before throwing another touchdown pass to Bunce, who fought off pass interference in the end zone for his second TD of the game.
Geyer caught a 65 yard pass to take Muhlenberg into Red Devil territory and the red zone as he was dragged down on the eight yard line by Mitch Helmandollar (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) and Jason Dones (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan).
The Devils were able to hold Muhlenberg to a field-goal after a big tackle-for-loss by Ethan Rayner (Holliston, Mass./Holliston). Winter converted his second attempt, splitting the uprights from 26 yards out.
The Devils were forced to punt but on the next possession first-year Kevin Ioannidis (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) intercepted Palladino on the Dickinson seven yard line.
The Devils went 93 yards to pull within a pair of touchdowns at 34-20. Ahnell tried to connect with Bunce for a third time but a strong defensive play from Khiry Hughes prevented the touchdown. They would score on the next play as Ahnell found Gaby in the end zone.
The Mules took over with 9:22 remaining in the game. Thompson came up big this time, making a huge stop on fourth down to give the Devils possession at midfield. Muhlenberg held on fourth down as well, and was able to run out the clock on its next drive.
Palladino finished the day, completing 27-of-37 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Geyer caught nine passes for 161 yards and combined for 248 all-purpose yards to lead Muhlenberg as they improve to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the Centennial Conference.
Max Cepeda rushed for 104 yards and Long added 78 yards receiving. Ian Gimbar led the defense with eight tackles.
Ahnell completed 20-of-29 passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns. Overhaug recorded 120 all-purpose yards, covering 73 on kick returns.
Ioannidis led the Devils with 10 tackles, including seven solos, adding a tackle-for-loss to his interception. Junior Jake Myers (Middletown, Del./St. Andrew's) tallied 10 tackles as well while Pat Schlecker (Wilmington, Del./Wilmington Friends) added nine.
The Red Devils slip to 3-5 overall and 3-4 in the conference. They are home again next weekend, hosting Gettysburg College in the Little Brown Bucket game. Kick-off is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday.
