NEW CONCORD -- It's the play-by-play quote from a clip that might echo around the Heidelberg University campus for a long time.

"It's a fake … and he's running down the field! There he goes! Big run, out of bounds at the 49!"

The exasperated Muskingum broadcaster Gabe Bishop, equal parts shocked and impressed, calling the action as All-American safety and new 'Berg punter Griffin Pendry dashed for 25 yards on a fake punt.  On fourth-and-10. With the ball spotted on his own 27. With 28 seconds left. With the score tied at 17.  

The Pendry stunner, a 15-yard completion from backup quarterback Gavin Reineke to Oliver Kelleher, and two long runs from venerable tailback Montavious Yearby led to a chip-shot, walk-off field goal from Branden Steckel, leading the Heidelberg football team to a 20-17 triumph over host Muskingum University on Saturday.  

Yearby finished with 198 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, providing a steadying force when The Berg needed it most.  

Starting quarterback Drew Sims was 12-for-22 for 171 yards and a touchdown, but left the game before halftime with an injury.  Reineke was 3-for-8 for 20 yards in relief.  

After a scoreless first quarter, Steckel put HU on top with a 32-yard field goal.  Muskingum answered later in the quarter with a Doug Crawford touchdown scramble that capped a five-play, 77-yard drive.  

Undeterred, Heidelberg responded on the next drive as Sims led the Tricolor on a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by a three-yard pass to TJ Rhamy. Rhamy muscled his way across the goal line with a Muskie draped on his back.  The drive included a 22-yard pass to Cole Poorman, who carried several defenders for the last few yards, and a 27-yard pass to Matthew Drudul on third-and-10. 

Dylan Drake blocked a 51-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half, preserving a 10-7 advantage.  

The hosts regained the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter with a six-yard rush by Donald Francis.  

Again, HU answered in quick fashion. Moments after nearly giving the Muskies the ball back on a muffed kickoff, Yearby broke off a 76-yard touchdown run. Rushing straight ahead, he was stuffed near the line of scrimmage. Alertly, Yearby bounced to his left and found an alley down the hashmarks. After breaking out of an attempted shoestring tackle, the Port St. Lucie, Fla., native sprinted to the end zone.  Steckel's PAT gave HU a 17-14 lead.  

The teams traded punts for the remainder of the third.  Early in the fourth, Muskingum threatened to tie or take the lead.  Working their way into the 'Berg red zone, Muskingum faced third-and-4 from the 11. Good pressure from the front four resulted in an Easton St. Clair sack of Doug Crawford. Hunter Albers connected on a game-tying 32-yard field goal with 10:07 left.  

Both teams watched as their defenses dominated the next few possessions.  Muskingum gave the ball back to The Berg one last time, with Joseph Norris calling for a fair catch of an Aaron Myers punt at the 'Berg 27 with 46 seconds left.   

Three straight incompletions by Reineke took the wind out of Heidelberg's sail, and the game seemed destined for overtime.  But Pendry -- who earlier mashed a 56-yard punt from deep in his own end zone -- had other ideas. 

Taking his customary rugby-style run up before the punt, Pendry saw one defender try to beat a blocker by curling outside as the Muskies sent the house in hopes of blocking the punt. That opened up a major running lane on the right side and Pendry didn't hesitate.  

After the punt, Kelleher made a sensational grab along the sidelines for 15 yards.  Still with two timeouts, HU was able to hand the ball off to Yearby.  He rushed ahead for 13 yards and was brought down at the 20 yard line with 10 seconds left. Reineke fed Yearby once more, this time, a 17-yard scamper that set up Steckel.  

With the game on the line, the field goal from Steckel was perfect.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Heidelberg entered with a total of three sacks in three games, but picked up five on Saturday … St. Clair finished with 10+ tackles for the second straight game … Yearby surpassed the 100-yard mark for the 18th time in his illustrious career … Pendry picked off a pass in the first, the fifth of his career … With his two field goals, Steckel ran his program-record total to 37.

UP NEXT

Mount Union visits Hoernemann Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. kick.