Wilkes, Pa. (Oct 5, 2019) - Wilkes University (4-0, 2-0) jumped out to a 25-6 lead at the half and kept their foot on the pedal in the second half en route to a 45-12 win over Alvernia University (1-3, 0-2) on Saturday afternoon at Wilkes.

Alvernia won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff, but, after the Golden Wolves worked their way down the field 26 yards on the opening drive of the game, the Colonels picked the ball off at the Wilkes 40. Between the interception return and two Alvernia penalities, Wilkes started its drive on the Alvernia 11. Alvernia's defense forced a 3-and out, and held Wilkes to a field goal.

On the ensuing kick off, Wilkes converted an onside kick attempt and needed just two plays, a 52 yard pass, to reach the end zone and go up 10-0.

After trading possessions for the remainder of the 1st quarter, Alvernia began to work its way down the field in its first possession of the second quarter. With the ball on Wilkes 16 yard line, Darius Sample scrambled and found Neeko Scurlock open around the right has to move the ball down to the two yard line. Malcolm Carey then capped off the 80 yard drive with a two yard touchdown run up the middle to make it 10-6.

The Colonels responded on their next drive and capped off a 57 yard drive with a touchdown reception from Jose Tabora on a 4th and goal situation. The Colonels elected to go for two and converted the attempt Derek Nelson rushing into the endzone.

With just a few seconds left before the half, Wilkes intercepted a short screen pass from Sample and took it all the way to the endzone to go up  25-6 into the break.

The Colonels scored the opening two touchdowns of the second half, but Alvernia added to its score with just seven minutes remaining on a 61 yard quarterback keeper by Sample, making it 38-12.

Wilkes scored once more on its following drive to make it 45-12, and neither team would find the end zone the rest of the way. 

Sample led Alvernia's ground game with 158 rushing yards. He was also 5-for-17 for 53 passing yards. Monzell Ware finished with two receptions for 17 yards for Alvernia.

On defense, Keeryen Stevevs and Tajon Whiten each had seven tackles. Stevens also finished with a pass breakup. Christian Francis finished with a 1.5 sacks for 15 yards lost.

Alvernia returns home on October 12th for Homecoming and Family Weekend with a 12:00 PM kickoff against Lycoming.