Box Score The Misericordia University football team closed out its third season with an impressive performance in a hard-fought 35-14 loss to Stevenson, Saturday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
Jeff Puckett scored two touchdowns on 179 yards rushing to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season.
 
The Cougars held the ball for 37:16, including 11:21 in the third quarter, but were hampered by four turnovers, including two in the red zone.
 
Stevenson opened the game with an impressive four-play, 62-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead in just 1:30.
 
Tanner Coleman took the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to the MU 45 yard line and the Cougars covered 55 yards in 10 plays to tie the score, 7-7, with 10:07 to play in the first quarter.
 
Robin Custodio started the drive with a 10 yard gain into Stevenson territory and Puckett picked up 15 yards for a third-down conversion to the Mustangs' 24 yard line.
 
After a first down, Custodio went up the middle for 10 yards to set up first and goal and Puckett plunged in from the one.
 
Stevenson moved deep into MU territory on its next possession, but the Cougars defense stiffened with Donald Bender making a stop of fourth and goal from the two yard line.
 
However, the Cougars gave the ball back on a fumble on the second play and Stevenson scored on the first play to take a 14-7 lead with 2:54 to go in the quarter.
 
On MU's next play from scrimmage, Stevenson took advantage of a deflected pass for an interception and went 27 yards in four plays to go ahead, 21-7 with 1:16 to play in the opening period.
 
Misericordia put together an impressive drive to start the second quarter.
 
Puckett went up the middle for 12 yards on third down and then hit Colton Pyne for nine yards on a quick out to the Stevenson 49.
 
Custodio slashed for five yards and Puckett went around right end for 16 yards to the Stevenson 28.
 
Facing fourth-and-one at the 19, Puckett gained five yards for a new set of downs.
 
Stevenson ended the threat with an interception in the end zone on fourth down with 9:50 to go in the second quarter.
 
The MU defense forced a three-and-out and took over at the Stevenson 25 yard line after a seven-yard punt.
 
Puckett ran a delay up the middle for 19 yards to the Stevenson six.
 
On second and goal from the four, Puckett rolled out to his right looking to pass, but cut up field for the score to pull within 21-14 with 8:20 to play in the half.
 
Neither team was able to move the ball the remainder of the first half.
 
Coleman returned the second half kickoff 21 yards to the MU 28.  Puckett converted a third-and-one with a two yard dive to the 39 yard line.
 
Puckett had four carries for 29 yards to set up a first down at the Mustangs' 34.
 
Colton Pyne's reception along the left sideline was good for seven yards to set up a fourth-and-two at the 17.
 
Puckett went up the middle for the first down, but the drive stalled two plays later when Stevenson forced a fumble at its own nine yard line.
 
The Cougars went 63 yards on 16 plays and held the ball for 8:25, but came away with no points.
 
The teams exchanged punts, and Stevenson scored on the first play of the fourth quarter to go ahead, 28-14.
 
Following an MU punt, Austin Deinarowicz recovered a Stevenson fumble at the Mustangs' 40 yard line.
 
Brandon Leap connected with Pyne for 11 yards to set up a fourth-and-one at the 31 and Puckett rumbled 16 yards up the middle for a first down at the 15.
 
Stevenson came up with two tackles for no gain on third and fourth down to take over on downs inside their own 10 yard line.
 
The Mustangs put the game away with a 94-yard drive to take a 35-14 lead with 5:23 remaining.
 
Sean Weg led the MU defense with 12 tackles while Rob Hart added 10 stops, including a sack.
 
Weg and Matt Martin both forced fumbles and Kevin Bagasevich had an interception.
 
Misericordia honored seniors Tyler Hessert and Travis Tobin prior to the game.