ALLIANCE -- Bolstered by a spirited defensive effort, the Heidelberg University football team fought to a valiant 28-6 loss at No. 2 Mount Union on Saturday. 

The Berg defense amassed five sacks and eight tackles for loss.   

Heidelberg slipped to 4-2 overall, 3-2 in the OAC.  Mount Union moved to 5-0, 4-0.   

Mount Union scored on its opening possession, but Heidelberg responded quickly.  The Student Princes went 75 yards in 13 plays, culminating in a six-yard touchdown on a slant from Chayne Treharn to Brandon Reed.  The extra point was missed wide right.  

Ahead 7-6, the Purple Raiders drove into Heidelberg territory on the next possession. Facing 4th-and-3 from the 'Berg 25, Mount opted to try to run for a first down.  Four-time All-OAC linebacker Zachary Blackiston was equal to the task, burying Deandre Parker in the backfield for a five-yard loss. 

The Purple Raiders would tack on two touchdowns before half and led 21-6 at the intermission.  

After a scoreless third, the Heidelberg defense -- which played well all day -- forced a turnover.  Blackiston stepped in front of a Braxton Plunk pass along the Mount sideline, caught the ball and tapped both feet in bounds for his first career interception.  

The offense was unable to convert the takeaway into points, committing a turnover of their own inside the Mount red zone.  

The Purple Raiders closed the scoring with a 14-yard pass from Plunk to Wayne Ruby Jr. 

Easton St. Clair had a team-high 11 tackles, including two sacks. Blackiston finished with eight tackles, 2.5 of which were for a loss.  

Despite being shaken up on a egregiously late, helmet-to-helmet hit on a muffed kickoff return, Joseph Norris III added nine tackles, two breakups and a TFL.  

Treharn finished with 147 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-26 passing with two interceptions. Dimitri Penick had 113 yards on six receptions.  

Heidelberg will enjoy a bye this week before hosting Marietta for Homecoming on Oct. 22.  Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.