MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Fourth-ranked Reinhardt (6-0, 1-0 MSC) dominated virtually every facet of the game and scored on all but two possessions to secure the 62-13 victory over Faulkner (3-3, 1-1 MSC) in this afternoon's Mid-South Conference West Division showdown here at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium.

The visiting Eagles scored on the game's opening drive and extended the lead to 14-0 on a brilliant special teams effort just moments later. After forcing a three-and-out on Faulkner's first drive, Reinhardt's Chase Hawkins stripped punter Chris Watts of the ball and carried it 25 yards for the score.

Despite extremely windy conditions Faulkner was most productive through the air in the outing and pulled the game within seven points when quarterback Clayton Nicholas connected with Rob Lockhart on 28-yard touchdown strike on the ensuing drive.

The touchdown catch marked the 30th of Lockhart's career elevating him to the top of the Faulkner record books in scoring receptions and points. He had two catches for 47 yards this afternoon.

The home team bookended the first half and capped its scoring efforts with a 43-yard touchdown toss to a well-covered Keithon Redding as the clock expired at the end of the second quarter. The extra point try was blocked.

Nicholas finished the game 26-for-34 with 231 yards and two touchdowns and Redding had 64 yards on four snags.

Trent Miles and Joe Jones anchored Faulkner's running game with 56 yards on nine carries and 50 yards on 10 rushes, respectively.

Vandy Smith led the Eagle defense with 20 total tackles followed by Keylan Smith with 13.

The visiting Eagles might be ranked No. 4 in the latest NAIA poll, but on paper, they're the best team in the land. Reinhardt ranks first in nine major statistical categories, more than the nation's top three programs combined. Some of these figures include total offense and defense per game, total offensive scoring per contest, total rushing offense, rushing offense per outing and third down conversions and the team remained true to form this afternoon.

Reinhardt's methodical offense tallied 585 total yards, 422 of which came on the ground. 

Quarterback Ryan Thompson threw for 160 yards and a touchdown on nine completions and was second in rushing with 116 yards on seven carries.

Dominique Swope led the visitors on foot with 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 touches.

"Hats off to Reinhardt," head coach Charlie Boren said after the game. "They're probably the best team I've seen in this league since I've been here. We ran into a buzz saw today and I hope this doesn't hurt our psyche too much moving forward. I think we have a good opportunity next weekend, but if we hang our heads and don't respond to adversity better than we did today we're going to be in trouble. I was disappointed with how we responded to several situations this afternoon and that has to change. We're going to find out what type of character the have and what type of leaders we have this week."

Faulkner hosts No. 7 Lindsey Wilson in MSC action at 1:30 p.m. in next Saturday's homecoming event.