Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Nick Palladino accounted for four touchdowns and tied a school record with his eighth career 300-yard passing game as the Muhlenberg football team opened up a big lead early and cruised to a 35-19 win against Franklin & Marshall in its home and Centennial Conference openers.
Palladino completed 25 of 30 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a score. The passing total put him over 8,000 yards for his career and tied him with Michael McCabe (1997-2000) for the most 300-yard games in team history.
Nick Savant (Saucon Valley) rushed for a career-high 183 yards on 21 carries, while Ryan Delaney caught 10 passes for 153 yards. Each player scored a touchdown. It was the first time ever that the Mules (2-0) had a 300-yard passer, a 180-yard rusher and a 150-yard receiver in the same game.
Muhlenberg needed only six plays from the opening kickoff to score the first points, when on third-and-2 from the Diplomat 39, Savant ran around right end and broke from the pack into the end zone.
F&M (1-1) gained only one first down on its first two drives, the second of which ended with a punt to near midfield. On the first play after the punt, Palladino hit Delaney in stride on a post pattern for a 51-yard score.
Palladino's 11-yard touchdown run with 9:14 left in the second quarter extended the Mules' lead to 21-0. The Diplomats threatened to score on their next drive, but on fourth-and-1 from the 6, Mike Luby and Thomas Cosgriff combined to stop Taalib Gerald for no gain.
Taking over with 2:38 left in the half, Muhlenberg needed only eight plays to travel 94 yards. Palladino connecting with tight end Frankie Feaster for the final 37 yards with 25.1 seconds on the clock.
The first half ended with the Mules holding a 28-0 advantage on the scoreboard and a 375-93 edge in total offense.
Franklin & Marshall spoiled the shutout bid by scoring on its first possession of the second half. Tanner Erisman hit Bobby Keyes in the back of the end zone on fourth down to cap the 14-play, 75-yard drive.
Muhlenberg answered seven plays later when Palladino threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Nick Lamb – the Mules' fourth scoring play of at least 30 yards.
The Diplomats added two late touchdowns on a 3-yard run by Dave Shellhammer and a 15-yard pass from Erisman to Dillon Alderfer.
Gerald led F&M with 77 rushing yards on 18 carries, while Erisman finished 14-of-28 for 119 yards.
George DiFiore and Nate Corvil intercepted passes for the Mules. Luby led the defense with eight tackles, including a sack, and a pass breakup.