NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – The combination of Muhlenberg College quarterbacks Dan Deighan and Joe Carlucci were a combined 26-of-35 for 337 yards and a touchdown as the visiting Mules defeated The Apprentice School 27-7 in the season opener for both on Saturday.
The Builders opened the scoring midway in the first quarter as senior Marlon Lane recovered a fumble on the Muhlenberg 33. After a penalty and a couple of plays, sophomore Jonathan Whelan found freshman Rashawn Sims on a 41-yard scoring connection to put the Builders up 7-0 with 7:59 left in the first quarter.
Muhlenberg used a fake punt on a possession late in the first quarter to get down to the Builder 48. After a 23-yard completion from Deighan to Isaih Vaughan and a five-yard completion to John Merklinger, Deighan took care of the final 20 yards on a run up the middle to tie the game 7-7 with 1:21 left in the first.
The Mules reached intho their bag of tricks and used an onside kick to retain possession at their own 46 and drove down to the Builder four-yardline before the hosts held and forced a 26-yard Connor Winter field goal to put the visitors ahead 10-7 barely a minute into the second quarter.
After holding the Builders early in the third quarter, the Mules took over on the Builder 45 where the quarterbacks connected on a 38-yard pass from Carlucci to Deighan down to the Builder seven. Apprentice School held firm from there and forced a 22-yard field goal from Winter to lead 13-7 with 8:41 left.
Carlucci threw his touchdown pass later in the quarter to Marcus Toomey for a 15-yard scoring strike to push Muhlenberg's lead to 20-7 with 2:59 left in the third. They closed out the scoring late in the game as Darnell Davis blocked a punt and recovered in the end zone for the final margin of 27-7.
Deighan was 17-of-23 for 212 yards, while Carlucci was 9-of-12 for 125 and the one touchdown. Terrence Dandridge topped the Mules in rushing with 94 yards on 21 carries. Apprentice School was paced by Chris Virgin with 48 yards and Jodey McNeil with 44 on the ground. In the air, Whelan was 19-of-37 for 185 yards and the one touchdown.
The Builders will now start a three-game road swing on September 8 in Baltimore, Md. when they face Coppin State University at 2 pm.
Photo courtesy of jhutchphotography