Washington D.C. (Sept. 6, 2019) - After falling behind 14-12 with just over a minute left to play, Alvernia University (1-0) put together a 55 yard scoring drive, that was capped off by a 26 yard touchdown reception by Antwan Cade, to defeat Gallaudet University (0-1) in the 2019 season opener in Washington D.C.

The game was a rematch of Alvernia's first ever football game last year against the Bison, where the Golden Wolves put together an impressive defensive stand to maintain their lead and, ultimately, to pick up the win after the Golden Wolves took the lead with about two minutes remaining. 

Friday night, the roles were reversed. Alvernia needed to score after giving up the lead with 1:21 remaining in regulation, and Gallaudet needed to make the stop. For the second year in a row, Alvernia was able to finish the job, with Kevin Washinton Jr. finding Cade on a 26 yard connection in the back of the end zone to put Alvernia up 18-14. Daniel Scott added insurance for Alvernia, converting a two-point conversion with a run up the middle to make it 20-14.

"I think (tonight's performance" says a lot about our kids and a lot about the ability of our assistant coaches to game plan, and, more importantly, get our kids to buy in," said Clark of the team's ability to pick up the win in a similar manner as a year ago.
Alvernia started off the night fast, with Malcolm Carey scoring a touchdown on a 35 yard rush  on the third play of the game. Alvernia's extra point
attempt from Miles Brody went off the upright, and Alvernia went to defend a 6-0 lead.
Alvernia stopped Gallaudet on the ensuing drive, but, in their next possession, the Bison were able to find the endzone and converted the extra point to go up 7-6.

The Bison's lead didn't last long, as Carey found the endzone for the second time on the day with a 14 yard run to put Alvernia up 12-6.
Later in the second quarter, the Golden Wolves were able to hold a strong defensive stand on a 4th and goal to ensure Alvernia went into the half with a 14-6 lead.

Coming out of the half, both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm, with neither team scoring until late in the fourth quarter.
With Alvernia on their own 35, the ball fell out of the grip of Daniel Scott and into the hands of the Bison on the second play of the drive. With under four minutes to play, Gallaudet quickly moved down the field and scored a touchdown with 1:21 left in regulation.

Scott received the ensuing kickoff at the 29 yard line and worked his way up to his own 45, putting, Alvernia in a position to go 55 yards in 1:21. 
What would be the game-winning drive started off with an incomplete pass attempt between Washington Jr. and Bryce Stuebler. On the next play, Washington Jr. found Monzel Ware for a thirty yard connection and a first down with 41 seconds to play. Carey rushed for a yard on the first and ten, before Washington Jr. connected with Antwan Cade on the game winning touchdown. 
Leading 20-14, Alvernia shutdown Gallaudet's offense on the first play of their final drive attempt. Christian Francis and Christian Sloan teamed up to sack Gallaudet's Lance Wood. With no timeouts remaining, the clock expired on Gallaudet's last chance effort to score. 

"There was no panic, I don't think anyone panicked on our sideline," said Clark of the game-winning drive.  "I think maybe the situation last year help. Just to stick to the game plan, we didn't do anything we didn't practice. We expected to win, we did the work, we communicated on the sideline - coaching staff and players. The way they performed is the way we expect them to in those situations."

Carey led Alvernia's offensive efforts on the ground with 105 yards and two touchdowns. Scott finished with 65 yards on 14 touches.

In the air, Washington Jr. went 15-26 for 139 yards. Ware finished with a team-high 45 yards receiving.

Alvernia has one extra day of practice before taking on the University of New England on Saturday in the 2019 home opener.