BOX SCORE Reading, Pa. (Sept. 14, 2019) - The University of New England (1-1) scored with 90 seconds left to break a 28-all tie and held on through a few shots at the endzone in a 35-28 win over Alvernia University (1-1) Saturday afternoon in non-conference football action at Alvernia.

"Our guys battled from start to end," said Alvernia head coach Ralph Clark after the game.  "Our guys are going to compete all the way through. At the end of the day we didn't execute well enough."  

The Nor'easters put together a 10-play drive and punched it in from five yards with 1:32 left for the 35-28 lead.  

Alvernia freshman Darrius Sample hit back-to-back passed to Otis Harold and Neeko Scurlock to move the ball into UNE territory.  He scrambled six yards to get the ball to the 38 and Alvernia took a timeout with 52 seconds left.

Scurlock nearly hauled in a pass inside the 10 yards line, but UNE linebacker Keegan Stanto-Meas broke it up as Scurlock hit the ground.  A holding call and an incomplete pass pushed Alvernia back to 4th and 13 and Sample completed the pass to Scurlock who rumbled across the middle of the field down to 17.

Sample wasn't able to connect with Antwann Cade in the right corner of the endzone, took a sack on second down, and missed a connection with Harold then had a final pass to Monzell Ware broken up as the horn sounded.

"We came up against a team that was focused and they executed," said Clark.  "They capitalized on our mistakes. We were able to turn the ball over on them, but we weren't able to capitalize."

The Alvernia defense forced three turnovers including a forced fumble and an interception by Myles Brodie.

Sophomore running back Malcolm Carey went over 100 yards for the second time this season finishing with 175 yards and three touchdowns.  Scurlock had his first career 100-yard game receiving. He finished with a career high eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Sample was 11-for-19 for 166 yards and a touchdown and added 67 yards rushing.

"Darrius came on in relief of Kevin and did a great job behind center," said Clark.  "He took care of the football and gave us some opportunities and he does that with his legs.  That's the dynamic thing that he adds."

Alvernia won the toss and opted to receive the opening kickoff.  The Golden Wolves had a promising drive going before Carey lost a fumble inside the 20.  UNE drove down inside the 10 yard line and on 3rd and goal, Brodie jumped an out to pick off Peters in the endzone.

Alvernia had a bad snap on a 4th down punt attempt on the next drive and UNE took over at the 17 yard line.  Four plays later Peters was in on the sneak for a 7-0 lead.

Alvernia answered with Carey's first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter, but missed the PAT.  The teams alternated scores the rest of the way.

Alvernia travels to Lebanon Valley College next Saturday to open up the MAC schedule.

"We gotta be a lot more focused and have a lot more attention to detail," said Clark.  "We have to tackle better. We have to be more physical and tackle better. The effort I know is going to be there.  I don't doubt that with our kids."

University of New England 35, Alvernia 28