Dylan McHugh spent the time between the end of Ursinus’ 2024 football season and the start of 2025 preseason camp rehabbing his leg after suffering a broken fibula in October.
Kendall Robinson used that same timespan to improve his off-field football knowledge and on-field versatility in the quest for more playing time.
McHugh, an Emmaus High graduate, and Robinson, a Palmerton High product, have reaped the rewards of their dedication. Both project as starters for a third straight game when Ursinus (2-0) visits the Lehigh Valley to face Moravian (0-2) in a nonleague game Saturday afternoon.
The last time McHugh played in the Lehigh Valley, he suffered a leg injury that caused him to contemplate stepping away from football. He started at right guard in each of Ursinus’ first four games last season before fracturing his fibula at Muhlenberg.
The injury required surgery to insert a metal rod and other hardware into his leg. He couldn’t bear weight on the leg for six weeks.
Rather than give up football before his senior season, McHugh decided to work through the process of rebuilding the strength and mobility in his leg. He wound up reclaiming his starting spot at right guard.
“I feel pretty good out there moving around,” McHugh said by phone Monday. “It’s a great feeling playing the sport I’ve been playing my whole life again.”
McHugh’s decision to return allowed Ursinus to bring back all three of its starting interior offensive linemen. The Bears lost both starting offensive tackles and their quarterback from last season’s team that qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs but have remained potent through their first two games. They opened with 41 points against Alvernia and added 42 Saturday against Kean.
“ [Dylan] was committed to his rehab, which was a long rehab process,” Ursinus coach Peter Gallagher said. “He’s playing at a high level for us again now. We’re glad that he committed himself to getting himself back. A big kid, 300-pound plus kid that can move, is nice to have up front.”
Robinson’s path to more playing time started off the field. With Ursinus losing all of its 2024 starting defensive backs, he worked to learn the playbook at every position in the secondary. He wanted to show the versatility to stay on the field at all times.
Robinson has made the leap from reserve cornerback to starting safety. He snared his first career interception in the opener against Alvernia. He followed that with nine tackles (six solo) and two pass breakups last week against Kean.
“I think I just prepared pretty well for the spot I’m at mentally and physically,” Robinson said.
Added Gallagher: “We’re excited with where he’s at right now and being productive at his safety spot. He’s certainly taken full advantage of the opportunities that were in front of him. I’m happy to see his career take off the way it has.”
Ursinus’ visit to Moravian is its final game before it opens Centennial Conference play Oct. 4 with another trip to the Lehigh Valley to play Muhlenberg. While the Bears want to push for a conference title and another NCAA berth, their immediate focus is preparing for a Moravian team smarting from a 56-0 loss at Rowan.
“We both have a lot of great athletes,” Robinson said. “From what I know, they’re an older team compared to us. We’re a much younger team.
“It should be a good game,” he added, “especially playing in such an old stadium like Moravian’s.”
Here’s a look at this week’s games. East Stroudsburg has a bye.
Gannon (0-3 overall) at Kutztown (2-0)
When: 12 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: Gannon surrendered 562 yards last week in a 69-22 loss to East Stroudsburg. It allowed 10.2 yards per play. … Kutztown has allowed just 14 points during its 2-0 start. … Kutztown running back Jaedyn Stewart is averaging 15.1 yards per carry and has three rushing touchdowns.
Muhlenberg (2-0) at Wilkes (1-1)
When: 12 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: Dante Mahaffey (Saucon Valley) and Luke Spang (Parkland) each threw two touchdown passes Saturday in Muhlenberg’s win at Endicott. … Senior Cooper King (Northampton) has started Wilkes’ first two games at quarterback. He’s thrown for 224 yards and rushed for 53 yards. … Muhlenberg has allowed only 2.9 yards per carry through two games.
Ursinus (2-0) at Moravian (0-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: Moravian has produced only 1.9 yards per carry during its 0-2 start. … Senior linebackers Clay Basile (Bethlehem Catholic) and Chris Cacace (East Stroudsburg South) are tied for second on the Greyhounds with 10 tackles. … Ursinus is averaging 269 passing yards per game.
