Reading, Pa. (Oct. 12, 2019) - Darrius Sample scored on a 15-yard scamper with 1:03 left and the defense came up with a final stop to lead Alvernia University (2-4, 1-2) to a 29-24 win over Lycoming College (1-5, 1-2) Saturday afternoon in MAC football at Alvernia on Homecoming.

Sample capped off an 11 play, 76-yard drive with a designed quarterback run breaking a tackle on his way in for his second rushing touchdown of the game.  He finished with 110 yards on the ground and another 178 and a touchdown through the air.

Lycoming worked the ball down the field on its final possession taking the 5-yard outs to preserve the clock.  The Warriors took a shot from the 37 on a double move by Stephen Toczylousky, but Myles Brodie stayed with him step-for-step.  After a 7-yard out and an incompletion, Lycoming hit a crossing route to Dezmen Johnson on a 4th and three play, but Jayden Hyman broke it up with a great hit for the turnover on downs.

The entire team spilled off the sideline leading to a 15-yard penalty, but a few snaps in the victory formation closed out Alvernia's first MAC win in the second year of the program.

"We talked about being at the midway point, and this is a new season," said Alvernia head coach Ralph Clark.  "We gotta let it all hang out. The mantra for the week was hit the gas. Whatever happens, happens. We're going to be us, we're going do what we do, we're going to have fun and be energetic.  We're going to give it everything that we have and let the chips fall where they may."

Lycoming opened the game with a 7-play drive covering 55 yards that ended in a 32 yard field goal from Jamie Fisher--who set the school record for total field goals with the kick.

Both teams moved the ball in their next possession, but they ended in a punt for the Wolves and a turnover on downs for the Warriors.  Lycoming went for it on 4th and 7 from the Alvernia 29, but Elijah Shemory's pass to Johnson was incomplete.

Alvernia took over at the 29 and drove it 71 yards for the touchdown--a five yard run from Sample.

The Wolves had a pair of false start penalties on the drive, and Sample rushed for 42 yards--including the last five.

Alvernia was flagged for 20 penalties in the game for 152 yards.

"We have to clean that up," said Clark of the flags.  "But fighting through the penalties is huge. The ability to stay with it and being accountable to one another and challenging adversity.  We did a lot of that today. It didn't matter what happened. We had four turnovers and were down at halftime and it didn't matter. Great effort for our kids today."

Lycoming scored on a 31-yard from by freshman Joey Guida on its next possession and Alvernia took the lead back after recovering a muffed punt at the 15 yard line.  Sample found a wide open Jordan Day in the middle of the endzone on the second play of the drive.

Shemory was picked on the next drive, but Alvernia gave it right back when Sample was intercepted in the end zone on the Wolves' first play.

Lycoming put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive to take a 17-13 lead into halftime.

Alvernia scored on a Malcolm Carey 1-yard run then took a 23-17 lead on Ryan Long's first career field goal with 4:39 left in the third.

"Huge day for him," said Clark of his kicker.  "It was phenomenal to see the kids feed off his energy and his excitement.  You say 'he's only a kicker' but our kids have rallied around him and he's been a huge addition to our team.  He's made tackles when we told him he wouldn't have to make tackles."

Lycoming took the next kick off at the 40 and after a pair of completions, went with seven straight running plays capped by Guida's second touchdown of the day from three yards out and 12 seconds left in the third.

Fisher was good on the PAT but was flagged for taunting the Alvernia sideline and had to kick from the 20.  Marcus Martin fielded the kick at the 20 and returned it to the Alvernia 40.

Carey was dropped for a 6-yard loss on the first play, but he followed with runs of four, five, and 16 yards to keep the drive alive.  Owen Morton had a nice catch in traffic, and Sample converted a 3rd and 13 with a scramble to the sticks.

Another 16 yard run from Sample--following a holding penalty--set up a 4th and 5 from the Lycoming 11 with nine minutes to go.  Alvernia went for it, and Sample was dropped for an 8-yard sack.

"In my mind at that point the thought process was that if we kick a field goal, they can kick a field goal and win," said Clark.  "I just felt like there was time and I was confident in our defense."

The defense forced a punt which Martin returned to midfield, but another flag on the return pushed the Wolves back to the 24 to start the drive.

Martin rushed twice to move the chains and Morton converted with a 16-yard grab.  Ja'Queces Mathis went for eight yards on his first rush of the game, and Alvernia kept the drive alive with a holding penalty on Lycoming that moved the ball to the Lycoming 24.

Sample rushed for seven then Martin for two, and Sample took it over the right side on a keeper, spun through a tackle and scored the game winner.

Carey finished with 86 yards on the ground and had four catches for 12 yards.  Sample was 15-for-23 for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Eight different players had a reception for Alvernia.  Nick Rosahac had three grabs for 27 yards. Shemory threw for 183 yards. Guida had 12 rushes for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Alvernia continues the season next Saturday at King's College.

Alvernia 29, Lycoming 24