The Muhlenberg College football team’s defense didn’t create as many splash plays as it would have liked during September.
Its down-to-down consistency helped it reach the start of Centennial Conference play with a 3-0 record anyway.
Saturday projects as the Mules’ toughest 2025 defensive assignment to date. Ursinus (3-0) will come to Allentown averaging 39.3 points per game.
Muhlenberg senior defensive end Blaze Curry is among the Mules acquainted with the Bears’ scoring prowess. The Southern Lehigh graduate and Mules team captain started last season when Ursinus came to Scotty Wood Stadium and hung 53 points on Muhlenberg.
While both teams have changed over the past 12 months, watching film from last season’s matchup reminded Muhlenberg of the defensive mistakes it wants to avoid this time around.
“The Ursinus game, that was one that really hurt a lot,” Curry said by phone Monday. “It’s one of the games we kind of used in the offseason, putting our head down to work because of how close of a game that was [Ursinus won 53-50]. That gave us our second loss and made us have to work even harder for the rest of the year to make a postseason game.
“Ursinus is a very good team. They’re very talented and put up a lot of offensive points in the first three games that they’ve played. For us, it’s a big game from last year as well as this year to play our defense that we have been for the first three weeks and kind of hopefully get our revenge.”
Last season’s game against Ursinus was the third straight early in 2024 where Muhlenberg surrendered 52 or more points. The Mules are off to a better defensive start this season, holding each of their first three foes to 20 or fewer points.
Curry and the Mules have done their best work against the run. Muhlenberg has allowed 84 rushing yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry, both tops in the Centennial Conference.
Curry was among the defenders to make Muhlenberg’s biggest stop through three weeks. He combined with Alex Schafer (Southern Lehigh) and Marcus McClaine to stuff Endicott on a fourth-and-1 from the Muhlenberg 5-yard line Sept. 13. That stop gave the Mules possession with 1:11 to play as they held on for a 28-20 win against a team that was receiving votes in the D3football.com Top 25 before the game.
Ursinus will test Muhlenberg’s defense with an efficient ground game. The Bears are averaging 158 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Jason Bernard has rushed for a conference-best 256 yards and six touchdowns.
“If we can limit them, put them behind the chains, I think that’s been a recipe for success for our defense,” Muhlenberg coach Nate Milne said. “And certainly them being ahead of the chains and pounding the rock has been a recipe for success for them for a number of years.”
Whether it’s against the run or the pass, Milne and Curry would love to see the Muhlenberg defense produce a few game-wrecking plays Saturday. The Mules have 17 tackles for loss but don’t have a sack through three games, which has been a talking point among the defensive linemen.
Curry expects the sacks to come in time. Staying strong against the run remains the Mules’ priority.
“They look like they’ve had no drop-off from last year to this year,” Curry said. “They’re very talented up front with their offensive line, and they have a very good running back as well.
“The big thing is just making sure we each do our 1/11 up front and in the linebackers and defensive backs, to put us in the best position to stop the run and hopefully win the game.”
Looking ahead: Here’s a look at this week’s games.
Shippensburg (1-3 overall, 1-0 PSAC East) at Kutztown (4-0, 1-0)
When: 12 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: Shippensburg collected its first win Saturday, beating Bloomsburg 10-7. … Kutztown has allowed just 7.8 points per game during its perfect start. … Sophomore Peter Diaz (Easton) has started every game on the offensive line for Shippensburg.
East Stroudsburg (3-1 overall, 1-0 PSAC East) at West Chester (3-1, 1-0)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: East Stroudsburg rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit Saturday to beat Lock Haven 24-21 for its third straight victory. … ESU’s Elijah Carroll leads the PSAC in kick return average at 37.3 yards per return. He had a 95-yard touchdown return against Lock Haven. … West Chester senior offensive lineman Donovan Jones (East Stroudsburg South) has started every game this season, his first with the Golden Rams. He played his first three seasons at Lock Haven.
Ursinus (3-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial Conference) at Muhlenberg (3-0, 0-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: Ursinus leads the Centennial Conference in scoring defense at 12.7 points per game. … Muhlenberg’s Tommy Donnelly leads the conference in punt return average (17.8 yards per return). … Muhlenberg and Ursinus have each surrendered only one sack in three games.
Moravian (0-4 overall, 0-0 Landmark Conference) at Lycoming (0-4, 0-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Taking note: Moravian is averaging only 10 points per game and 1.7 yards per carry during its 0-4 start. … Junior wide receiver Avery Koser (Southern Lehigh) has scored four of the Greyhounds’ six touchdowns this season. He’s averaging 55.3 receiving yards per game and leads the Landmark Conference with 16 catches. … Lycoming is allowing 261.5 rushing yards per game.
