Reading, Pa. (Sept. 18, 2021) - Alvernia University (0-3) came up short as Albright College (2-1) took the 31-21 win over the Golden Wolves in the first official meeting of the Reading rivalry on a hot Saturday afternoon at Alvernia's turf field. 

The Lions came out of the gate fast. After winning the coin toss, the Lions elected to receive and took the opening kickoff back for 33 yards. A personal foul on the Golden Wolves tacked on an extra 15 yards to the return, setting Albright up on Alvernia's 44 yard line. After throwing an incomplete pass on the opening play of the drive, Albright's Todd Shelley broke off for a 44-yard touchdown run. Albright converted its extra point to go up 7-0.

Alvernia did not need long to respond. The Golden Wolves started their drive on the Albright 35, and Malcolm Carey rushed the ball on three straight plays for a total of 19 yards to give the Golden Wolves a fresh set of downs on the Albright 24. After a three-yard completion to Owen Morton on a pass by Nick Rosahac, Alvernia's Lorenzo Green took back-to-back rushes down to Albright's 11. A six-yard completion to Neeko Scurlock put Alvernia on the five-yard line. Carey took it the rest of the way with a 5-yard rush for a touchdown. Alvernia's Ryan Long converted the PAT to tie it up at 7-7. 

The Golden Wolves forced a three-and-out on Albright's next drive.

With Alvernia taking over on its own 42 yard line, Alvernia used a rush by Carey and an eight-yard completion to Antwann Cade to get to the 50-yard line. A personal foul on the Lions put Alvernia on the Albright 35. The Golden Wolves momentum was halted as Rosahac threw an interception.

Albright came away with points off the turnover after Todd Shelley connected with Kevin Shener for a 77-yard touchdown to go up 13-7. The extra point was good as Albright went up 14-7 with just over four minutes left in the first quarter.

Alvernia again was able to respond on its next drive. After the drive started at Alvernia's own 27 yard line, the Golden Wolves chipped away until they found themselves on Albright's 23 yard line. In the first play of the second quarter, Rosahac got a free play off an Albright offsides penalty. Rosahac took advantage and found Joseph Perkins in the corner of the end zone for a 23 yard touchdown reception. Long's PAT was good as Alvernia tied it up at 14-14.

On Albright's next drive, Alvernia's Jyleen Neals tipped an attempted pass by the Lions. Neals would tip and then bobble the ball a few more times before being able to gain control for the interception and to give Alvernia the ball on its own 22.

Alvernia drove the ball down the field again, but got stalled as it approached the red zone. With a 4th and 3 on Albright's 22, Alvernia sent out the field goal unit. Long's attempt went just wide to the right as Albright took over on its 22. 

Albright marched the ball down the field and broke the 14-14 tie with Shelley finding Malik Bootman for an 18-yard touchdown reception to make it 21-14 in favor of the Lions. 

Alvernia was forced to punt it away on its next drive.

Albright added to its lead on its final drive of the half as the Lions ran a successful two-minute drill that resulted in a field goal being made to close out the half and put the Lions up 24-14.

The Golden Wolves made it a one-score game on it's opening drive of the half. With Alvernia facing a 4th and 2 on Albright's own two, Lorenzo Green took the handoff and took it the rest of the way as Alvernia came out with seven points and cut Albright's lead to three, 24-21.

Neither team would score again in the third quarter.

Albright extended its lead to ten points to open the fourth quarter after taking the ball 68 yards on 11 plays. The Lions capped off the drive with a four yard rushing touchdown. After the converted extra point, Albright led 31-21 with eight minutes remaining. 

Alvernia received the ball back on what would be its final drive of the game. The Golden Wolves faced a 4th and 1 situation, but were unable to convert on a keeper by Rosahac to give the Lions the ball back with 6:35 remaining.

The Lions ran down the clock and came away with the 31-21 win. 

Rosahac finished 6-for-16 for 64 yards under center. Carey rushed for 142 on 23 carries. Micah Fair led Alvernia's defense with 15 tackles.

The Golden Wolves head back on the road next week, heading north to Wilkes.