By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
Something has to give Saturday when Thomas More University and nationally ranked Muhlenberg (Pa.) College meet at noon in a football showdown at BB&T Field in Crestview Hills.
Thomas More averages 273 yards per game on the ground and lights up the scoreboard for 36 points per contest. Muhlenberg, meanwhile, is No. 9 nationally in rushing defense in the latest NCAA Division III statistics, allowing just 43.2 yards per game.
The unbeaten Mules (5-0) held Ursinus (Pa.) to just 21 yards rushing last week during a 34-14 road win. During the last three games, the Mules have limited their opponents to 69 rushing yards on 86 carries. Muhlenberg is ranked No. 23 nationally in this week’s NCAA Division III poll.
Muhlenberg’s defense features junior defensive end Frankie Feaster, who was named Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Feaster was in on five tackles in the Mules’ 34-14 win at Ursinus, and they were all behind the line of scrimmage. He had two solo sacks, one assisted sack and two assisted tackles for loss, resulting in losses of 17 yards.
Hjavier Pitts is No. 8 nationally in the latest NCAA Division III statistics with 151 yards on the ground per game.
Pitts, a graduate of Mt. Healthy High School in Cincinnati, is No. 8 nationally in the latest NCAA Division III statistics with 151 yards on the ground per game. Pitts has rushed for 906 yards this season and added eight touchdowns. His 204-yard performance on Saturday marked the 13th time a Thomas More player has gained at least 200 yards in a game.
The Thomas More single-game rushing record is 336 yards, set by Domonique Hayden against Westminster in 2014.
Senior running back Luke Zajac has added 482 yards rushing for Thomas More and averages 80.3 yards per game.
Thomas More quarterback Justin Post has completed 56.7 percent of his passes this season with 12 touchdowns. Post was 10-of-19 passing for 180 yards against Emory & Henry, and he also rushed the ball six times for 62 yards. One of those completions was a 61-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Da’marco Canty.
Saturday’s contest will also be Thomas More’s annual Homecoming Game. The Saints — who are playing seven road games this season — will have just one more home contest after Saturday, that being on Nov. 3 against Lake Erie.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport
