The Muhlenberg field hockey and football teams both appeared among the NCAA

Sophomore linebacker Matt Rathbun has 3½ tackles for loss.

Division III statistical leaders in defensive categories through games of last weekend.

Field hockey was tied for 15th in Division III in shutout percentage with four in eight games. The Mules improved that percentage with their fifth shutout of the season on Tuesday, 6-0 against Haverford. The five shutouts in nine games are one more than the team recorded in 18 games all of last year.

The Muhlenberg defense will be put to the test against a high-scoring Johns Hopkins team tomorrow night at Scotty Wood Stadium. The Blue Jays have scored 21 goals in winning their last four games, including a 5-1 upset of No. 18 Gettysburg yesterday.

The Muhlenberg football team is no stranger to the defensive rankings. The Mules led Division III in total defense in 2004 and tied for ninth last year. Despite starting six sophomores, the unit is at it again, allowing an average of only 185.3 yards through its first three games to rank 16th in the country. The Mules also are 25th in rushing defense at 58.7 yards per game.

Muhlenberg’s nationally ranked defense will face a Franklin & Marshall squad that leads the Centennial Conference in passing offense in Saturday’s CC opener. That game will be broadcast by Service Electric TV2 on tape delay Saturday at 4:00. To listen to the game live, click here for WMUH or here for WFNM.

To follow live stats and play-by-play during the game, click here.