Reading, Pa. (Oct. 14, 2023) - Alvernia University (0-6, 0-5) fell to Stevenson University (5-1, 4-1), 42-6, in MAC football action on a rainy and cold Saturday afternoon at Alvernia University.

The Mustangs scored on their first drive of the game off an 18-yard rushing touchdown and never looked back. 

Alvernia's offense outperformed the Mustangs in the first quarter as the Golden Wolves put up 103 yards in the first frame to Stevenson's 51 yards. But, the Mustangs came to life in the second quarter.

Stevenson opened up the second quarter with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to take a 14-0 lead and the Mustangs would score two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead into the half. The Mustangs held Alvernia to just 74 yards in the second quarter while posting 139 yards of their own. 

Alvernia showed signs of life as the second half opened. After forcing a punt by the Mustangs on their opening drive, Alvernia took over on its own 20 yard line. A five yard false start penalty pushed Alvernia back to the 15, but Alvernia's Colin Payne found Dachan Thompson for an 85 yard touchdown pass as Thompson broke through Mustang defenders and found the back of the end zone. The 85 yard pass is the longest completed pass in Alvernia history. The explosive play put the Golden Wolves on the board, but Alvernia could not convert the PAT as the Mustangs led by 22, 28-6.

However, the big play did not bring any more momentum to the Golden Wolves. Stevenson scored another touchdown two drives later to take a 35-6 lead with 2:45 to play in the third.

A rushing touchdown opened the fourth quarter for the Mustangs and marked the final touchdown of the afternoon. Alvernia had one more solid opportunity to get on the board, but the Golden Wolves fumbled it away on the Stevenson 5-yard line as the game became out of reach and the Mustangs took the 42-6 final.

Payne finished 247 yards passing and became Alvernia's new single season leader in passing yards. Thompson finished with 174 yards to break the single-game record and set a new single-season record for Alvernia. Elijah Carr finished with a team-high 14 tackles. Today marked the first time this season Alvernia's defense did not have a takeaway.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday on the road at FDU-Florham.