Stevenson scored twice in the final 90 seconds of the first half to break open a close game on the way to a 44-7 win over Misericordia University in MAC football action, Saturday at Mangelsdorf Field.

The Mustangs took a 16-7 lead on with a field goal with 1:32 to play in the half and then used an interception return to set up a short touchdown in the final minute to take a 23-7 halftime lead.

Stevenson scored late in the third quarter and added two fourth quarter scores for the final margin.

Tamar Sample led Misericordia with 53 rushing yards, including their lone score in the first quarter.

Eric Glass led the Cougars with 16 tackles while Gage Moyer had nine stops and R.J. Tocco and Zach Stolz-Ilge had eight tackles each.

Lamontae Wilson had five stops and an interception.

After Stevenson returned the opening kickoff into MU territory, Logan Baxter and Xander Shaner combined for a 12-yard sack on the first play from scrimmage.  The Mustangs recovered and scored five plays later to take a 7-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.

Misericordia answered with a drive into Stevenson territory on its opening possession.  Following a defensive holding penalty that gave MU a first down, Sample picked up 19 yards on a quarterback draw for a first down at the Stevenson 45.

Mike Gawlik went off right tackle for 18 yards on the next play to move the Cougars to the Mustangs 27.

Facing third-and-11, Sample scrambled for 14 yards and a first down at the Stevenson 14.  The drive stalled and the Cougars lost the ball on a fumble three plays later.

MU got the ball back on an interception by Lamontae Wilson, but the Cougars were forced to punt.

Stevenson put together a lengthy drive and went ahead 13-0 early in the second quarter.

The teams exchanged punts and the Cougars recovered a muffed punt deep in Stevenson territory late in the second quarter.

Sample went around right end for seven yards to set up a first and goal and powered his way in for the score on the third to get MU within 13-7 with 1:56 to play in the first half.

Stevenson responded with a field goal to take a 16-7 lead and returned an interception to the Cougars two yard line to set up a short TD run and a 23-7 lead at halftime.

The Mustangs extended their lead late in the third quarter and added two TDs in the fourth quarter.

Misericordia will travel to King's, Saturday.