Muhlenberg athletics photo

By Brian Lester
D3sports.com

Mike Hnatkowsky is known as one of the best quarterbacks in NCAA Division III football, breaking a laundry list of records over the course of a career at Muhlenberg that has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Before he made his mark on the college scene, starting in 2017 when he set several school and conference records as a freshman, Hnatkowsky was a star at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia breaking the school records once held by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

“In fairness to Matt, they ran the triple option, so he threw a little less than I did in high school,” Hnatkowsky said.

Still, it’s one of those facts about him that makes for a great story to tell.

“It’s been brought back up recently and it’s pretty funny now when younger guys on the team hear about it,” Hnatkowsky said. “It’s cool to have that as a talking point, or a joking point, and I guess it’s something that will last forever since we are both out of high school.”

Now in his fifth year at the school and in his fourth season with the Mules — they didn’t play in the fall or spring of 2020-21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic — Hnatkowsky keeps piling up the numbers and setting a standard that may never be touched again.

The two-time All-Centennial Conference pick and reigning league offensive player of the year has won 30 games as a starter, thrown for 102 touchdowns, including 46 in 2019, and is closing in on 10,000 career passing yards. He has 9,388 so far in his career.

Those stats just scratch the surface for Hnatkowsky, who is just glad to be back playing football again with a renewed focus and appreciation for the sport.

“It’s awesome to be back out there, having some normalcy playing football again,” Hnatkowsky said. “You start to lose or forget how cool Saturdays in the fall are when you’ve been out for 18 months. The first two weeks of the season have been awesome and I’m trying to get better every day.”

Head coach Nate Milne said Hnatkowsky still has the skills that have made him one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, and has made improvements in various aspects of his game.

Yet, what stands out the most to the fourth-year head coach is the leadership qualities Hnatkowsky brings to the table.

“No. 1 is his leadership,” Milne said. “When the pandemic hit, the one area we knew we could still control was our leadership, and Mike has been the unquestioned leader of our team over the past 18 months. Our entire team looks to him for leadership. When things aren’t easy, he can right the ship on either side of the ball.”

Milne, who primarily deals with the offensive line, said even he often allows Hnatkowsky to take the lead when it comes to play calling.

“I really find myself listening to him and our quarterback coach about what is there and what he likes and what he likes to throw. It’s made me a better play caller,” Milne said. “You have these visions of what the play will look like, and if Mike says it’s going to work and believes in it, then I believe in it. If we are on the same page, great. If not, then maybe I have to think like he does a little more.”

The groundwork for success on Saturday afternoons is laid during the week in practices that are highly competitive.

With Muhlenberg featuring one of the top defenses traditionally — the Mules have given up just 13 points in their first two games — it provides a chance for Hnatkowsky to test himself.

“I’m biased, but I think we have one of the best defenses in the country, and as an offense, we are fortunate to practice against them every day,” Hnatkowsky said. “Our practices are super competitive. When we go full pads on Tuesday, it feels like a game day. Our 1’s are going up against their 1’s, and we are all bringing it.”

Milne wouldn’t want it any other way.

“We talk about getting to practice rather than having to practice, and I think there is a great appreciation among the players on both sides of the ball to have the chance to go out and make themselves better each day,” Milne said. “I tell our defense that if they can get it done against Mike, they can do it against almost anyone in the country.”

Hnatkowsky knows there is always room to improve, and at times, he admits he’s played like a quarterback who hasn’t seen the field in nearly two years.

He did his best to stay sharp during the pandemic, working out with receivers when he could, and he continues to put in as much work as possible. For as much as he’s accomplished in his career, complacency isn’t an option.

“For me, I’m always trying to be super prepared for Saturday,” Hnatkowsky said. “I watch a ton of film, I get with the coaching staff and my offense to go over things, and I take great pride in trying to be more efficient with the ball. The team that doesn’t turn the ball over has a better shot to win than a team that does turn it over. I always want to make the smart play when I’m out there.”

Milne expects his quarterback to continue to evolve as the season rolls on.

“He always wants more,” Milne said. “He wants more as far as the run game goes and when he sees something he likes, he likes having the ability to check plays. He’s been here before and knows what is going on. He’s always evolving as a quarterback and what he’s doing out there is in the best interest of our team.”

Two years ago, the Mules reached the final four, losing to eventual national champion North Central.

Another run isn’t out of the question, but it’s too early to look that far ahead. The focus is on the present.

“Our coaching staff does a great job of keeping us in the here and now,” Hnatkowsky said. “It’s a long season and anything can happen. I don’t want to say it’s conference title or bust, or playoffs or bust, but we have our team goals, and we know what they are, but that all comes down to the amount of work we put in.”