DALLAS, Pa. – The Stevenson University football team battled back from an 18-point halftime deficit in Week 3 MAC action, taking a late fourth-quarter lead before ultimately falling to Misericordia, 28-24, on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs (2-1, 1-1 MAC) entered the second half trailing 21-3, but three consecutive touchdown drives put Stevenson in front, 24-21, with just 1:17 remaining.
Quarterback
Todd Lattimore led the Mustang comeback, completing 26-of-48 passes for 406 yards and two touchdowns.
Khari Walker turned in a standout performance with 11 receptions for 240 yards and a touchdown, including a 66-yard reception.
Stevenson got on the board in the second quarter when
Mohammad Butt connected on a 31-yard field goal. Misericordia responded with two touchdowns before halftime to take a 21-3 advantage into the break.
The Mustangs came out firing in the second half, with Lattimore finding
Cordell Bair for a five-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Edward Emmens then capped a six-play, 74-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run early in the fourth, bringing Stevenson within four at 21-17.
After the Mustang defense forced another Misericordia punt, Stevenson engineered its biggest drive of the afternoon. Lattimore connected with Walker for a 19-yard touchdown with 1:17 remaining, completing a nine-play, 85-yard drive and giving the Mustangs their first lead of the game, 24-21.
Misericordia answered on its ensuing possession, scoring on an eight-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds remaining to reclaim the lead, 28-24. Stevenson was unable to answer on its final possession.
Defensively, the Mustangs recorded five sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Ethan Marshall led Stevenson with 10 total tackles, while
Bryan Bowen added nine.
Brandon Adler,
Nickyi Green,
Michael Hall and
Xavier McKinney each recorded a sack.
Stevenson will return home for its next MAC contest on Saturday, September 26, hosting FDU-Florham at Mustang Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.
