Warren Grimm's three touchdown runs and 368 MUS yards passing highlighted an explosive night as the varsity football team dispatched their visitors from Nashville, the Father Ryan Fightin' Irish, 37-27, in the first conference game for the Owls.
As they have for most of the season, the Owls (3-2, 1-0) jumped out early to take the lead on the Irish (1-4, 0-2). A 37-yard scoring pass from John Conrad McCrary to WR John David Lawhorn culminated the opening 7-play, 85-yard drive that took up 3:06. Ben Tacker's PAT gave MUS the early 7-0 lead as the shootout had begun.
The Owls added to their lead some four minutes later after their next drive had stalled. Sophomore Chad Hazlehurst trotted out and connected on a 42-yard field goal to increase the lead to ten points as MUS was finding holes in the Ryan secondary.
The Owls once again took advantage of their passing game later in the second quarter. Starting from their own 9-yard line after a Ryan punt, Kane Alber rushed for four yards on first down. Then, on second down, McCrary hit Alber, who broke a tackle and outran his pursuers to score. The 87-yard pass play broke a 38-year old record and became the longest touchdown pass in MUS history as the Owls went up, 17-0, after Tacker's PAT. The Owls looked as if they were in for a relaxed evening with the large lead.
But Ryan got back in the game with two quick strikes right before the break.
First, WR Josh Kemph hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass from QB Stephen McCombs to complete a 9-play, 78-yard drive. Then, on the ensuing kickoff, Pat Gallagher scooped up a Lawhorn fumble and returned it 24 yards for another touchdown. After having made his first extra point, Will Bridenstine missed his second, but Ryan was back in the game at the half, down only 17-13 despite being outgained 282-150 in total yardage.
But the Irish could not capitalize on their momentum early in the third quarter.
After having stopped Ryan on their opening possession, MUS took over at their own 30 and drove for a score in six short plays as Grimm went in from 6 yards. Tacker made the score 24-13 to give the Owls a little breathing room.
MUS extended the advantage on another Grimm score just 2:31 later.
After Cotter Norris had sacked McCombs and caused a fumble, Weller Drennon gave MUS possession with his recovery on the Ryan 39. Grimm scored five plays later from 3-yards out as the Owls' spread offense began to open some holes for the backs. Tacker's PAT failed, but MUS still led 30-13.
Ryan tried to stay close as they found success up the middle with their big backs. They began to control the clock and pick up first downs. Kemph caught his second score of the game on a 13-yard pass from Corey Stewart early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 30-20.
But Grimm's 13-yard scamper with 4:54 remaining in the game ended all uncertainty as to the outcome as he and Tacker gave the Owls a 37-20 advantage.
Kemph, a fine receiver who caught 9 passes for 88 yards, never gave up as he hauled in one more touchdown from McCombs with 1:38 left, but that score only made the final tally more respectable.
Several records were set during the contest. McCrary's 362 yards on 17-25 passing set a school record for most passing yards in a game, while his 386 yards of total offense crushed the previous record of 314 held by John Phillips. Also, Lawhorn's 9 catches for 184 yards set another record for most receiving yards in a game as he bested Bruce Bolton's 179 yards set in 1974 against Ripley.
However, while these record-setting performances are outstanding, they could not have been possible without excellent blocking and protection from the offensive line, which played very well despite having suffered several injuries to some key performers.
The Owls get an opportunity to seek some revenge this Friday night as they battle Briarcrest, which defeated the Owls, 24-21, last season on a late field goal. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Briarcrest.