Millersville University
0-10 , 0-7
Bloomsburg
6-4 , 4-3
Explosive third quarter rallies Bloomsburg past Millersville
11/9/2024 2:05:00 PM | Football
Explosive pass plays were key for the Huskies as quarterback K.J. Riley found Jerry Griffen-Batchler for touchdowns of 59 and 68 yards. The 68-yarder came at the end of the third quarter and proved to be the back-breaker for the Marauders. Griffen-Batchler finished with 209 yards on six catches, and Riley threw for 321 yards despite completing just 13 passes. Riley also led Bloomsburg with
Turnovers by the Marauders also played a role. The Huskies first drive started after an interception at the Bloomsburg 38. Then, after the Huskies scored on the first drive of the third quarter to take a 21-16 lead, Millersville elected to go for a conversion on fourth-and-one from the Millersville 43. Jaheim Morris was stopped short of the line to gain, and Bloomsburg capitalized on the short field. Riley completed a nine-play drive by plunging in from a yard out, giving the Huskies a 28-16 lead. That was followed by a Millersville three-and-out and the Riley to Griffen-Batchler bomb.
After falling behind 14-0, Millersville rallied with 16 points in the second quarter. Ryan Zeltt tossed two touchdown passes to tight end Brady Russell, and Trent McDowell drilled a 45-yard field goal just before the half. Millersville dominated the second quarter, totaling 12 first downs to Bloomsburg's one, and out-gaining the Huskies 191 to 59. But that production did not carry over into the third quarter as Millersville rushed four times for minus-two yards while Bloomsburg piled up 176 yards of offense.
Millersville's second-half possessions resulted in three punts, a turnover on downs and a field goal before closing with an 85-yard drive resulting in a Zeltt to Steven Graves III 21-yard touchdown connection. Zeltt hit Russell for a successful two-point conversion, leaving 10 seconds for an onside kick . Bloomsburg recovered Griffin Mitstifer's bouncing kick, and a kneel down ended the game.
FB: Twice as nice! Make it two touchdowns for Russell today. pic.twitter.com/ErJPc9hNyZ
— Millersville Marauders (@VilleMarauders) November 9, 2024
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Hakim Melvin totaled a 130 yards receiving on a career-high nine catches. It was the most yards by a Marauder since Melvin totaled 151 on Sept. 25, 2021.
- Zeltt completed a career-high 32-of-48 for 285 yards. He also tossed a career-high three TD passes. It was the third time in six games that he's thrown at least two TD passes.
- Jaheim Morris rushed 18 times for 77 yards. He moved fourth place all-time in career carries with 492, passing hall of famer Scott Highley (1986-89). He enters his final career game 29 yards shy of 10th all-time.
- Damir Williams-Bey recorded his first career interception.
- Jabriel Rhodes-Nelson notched his first sack of the season.
- Millersville closes its season at Edinboro on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Team Stats
MIL 0, BLM 7
BLM - Riley,KJ 2 yd run (Riley,KJ kick), 13 plays, 69 yards, TOP 06:54
MIL 0, BLM 14
BLM - Griffen-Batchler,Jerry 59 yd pass from Riley,KJ (Riley,KJ kick) 1 plays, 59 yards, TOP 00:09
MIL 6, BLM 14
MIL - Russell,Brady 7 yd pass from Zeltt,Ryan () 12 plays, 74 yards, TOP 05:17
MIL 13, BLM 14
MIL - Russell,Brady 6 yd pass from Zeltt,Ryan (McDowell,Trent kick) 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 05:42
MIL 16, BLM 14
MIL - McDowell,Trent 45 yd field goal 10 plays, 40 yards, TOP 01:39
MIL 16, BLM 21
BLM - Riley,KJ 15 yd run (Riley,KJ kick), 11 plays, 65 yards, TOP 05:30
MIL 16, BLM 28
BLM - Riley,KJ 1 yd run (Riley,KJ kick), 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 05:05
MIL 16, BLM 35
BLM - Griffen-Batchler,Jerry 68 yd pass from Riley,KJ (Riley,KJ kick) 2 plays, 68 yards, TOP 00:16
MIL 19, BLM 35
MIL - McDowell,Trent 26 yd field goal 9 plays, 64 yards, TOP 02:33
MIL 27, BLM 35
MIL - Graves III,Steven 21 yd pass from Zeltt,Ryan (Russell,Brady pass) 13 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:47
