Reading, Pa. (Oct. 19, 2023) - After a homecoming loss to Stevenson University, Alvernia will look to get in the win column at FDU-Florham on Saturday.
Alvernia will head to Madison, New Jersey for a noon kickoff with the Devils. Alvernia is 0-6 overall and 0-5 in MAC play after a 42-6 loss to Stevenson last Saturday. The Devils are 2-4 overall and 1-4 in MAC play. They are coming off a 20-0 loss at home to Delaware Valley.
FDU is under the leadership of Anthony Van Curen. Van Curen is in his second season with the Devils after taking over prior to the 2022-23 season. FDU is 8-9 under Van Curen.
Inside the Series
Alvernia is 0-4 all-time against the Devils. Alvernia dropped a 31-7 decision to FDU at home last season and a 34-14 decision on the road in 2021. Alvernia averages 22.75 points per game against FDU across the four meetings, while the Devils have averaged just over 50 points against Alvernia - including 84 points in an 84-56 win over the Golden Wolves in 2019. This will be Alvernia's third trip to Madison.
Scouting the Golden Wolves
Alvernia is coming off a tough 42-6 loss at home to Stevenson on Homecoming and Family Weekend. The Mustangs used a 21 point second quarter to power past Alvernia, holding the Golden Wolves to just one touchdown.
Alvernia is averaging 11.5 points per game through the first six games of the season, and the Golden Wolves are eighth in the MAC with an average of 247.7 yards per game. Alvernia's defense allows an average of 38.3 points per game and allows an average of 386 yards per game.
The Golden Wolves are second in the MAC in passing yards per game, with an average of 209.7 per game. Seven of Alvernia's ten touchdowns on the season have come via the air, and Alvernia quarterback Colin Payne is second among MAC quarterbacks in passing yards per game, while Dachan Thompson leads all MAC receivers with an average of 92.3 yards per game.
Keys to the Game:
Limit the Big Plays: Opponents have scored 18 touchdowns against Alvernia so far this season, and nine of those touchdowns have come on plays of 20 yards or more. FDU is not a high-scoring offense, and have scored under 21 points in three games this season - including a shutout loss last week to Delaware Valley. Alvernia will need to limit the big play scoring opportunities and, if the Devils are going to find the end zone, they will have to grind their way in.
Force and Recover Turnovers: Saturday's loss to Stevenson was the first time all season Alvernia did not recover a fumble or have an interception. The Golden Wolves forced a fumble in the third quarter, but were unable to come up with the ball. Alvernia's defense will need to force FDU turnovers this week to get the ball back in the hands of Payne and Alvernia's offense.
Win in the Red Zone: Alvernia has come away with points just nine times on 21 attempts inside the red zone, and Alvernia is 1-for-8 inside the 20 in the last two games. The Golden Wolves will need to find a way to put points on the board when they get inside the 20, and will not be able to solely rely on big plays.
Alvernia Players to Watch
Colin Payne - Payne is second in the MAC with an average of 206.3 passing yards per game. He broke Alvernia's single-season record last week, and has thrown for 200 yards or more the past two weeks. With Alvernia's offensive line settling in well since the bye week, look for Payne's passing game to continue to show improvements this week.
Dachan Thompson - Thompson has been Payne's favorite target this season, and with good reason. The 6-4 wide receiver is leading the MAC with 92.3 yards per game and averages 19.2 yards per catch. Thompson has 29 receptions on the year for 557 yards and three touchdowns. Thompson is a mismatch physically against most secondaries that Alvernia has faced, and that will continue again this season.
Elijah Carr - Carr has been a force at linebacker for Alvernia this season. He leads the Golden Wolves with 59 tackles, and is second in the MAC in total tackles. Look for Carr to be a primary defender against the run, but also provide pass coverage in the middle of the field. Carr is coming off a season-high 14 tackles last week, and will look to keep that momentum up coming into game seven.
Jamel Fleming - Fleming, along with fellow defensive back
Taron Gale, are Alvernia's primary pass defenders. Fleming leads Alvernia with five pass break-ups on the season, and also has two forced fumbles and an interception. He is also second on the team with 38 tackles on the season. Look for Fleming to not only drop back in pass coverage, but also come up for run support.
Scouting the Devils
FDU is coming off back-to-back losses to the top two teams in the MAC - Delaware Valley and King's. The Devils lost by just three to King's, 17-14, but were shutout by the Aggies, 20-0. FDU's last win came against Albright in a 14-6 decision in game four.
The Devils are seventh in the MAC with an average of 17 points scored per game, and are fifth in the MAC with 21 points allowed per game. The FDU offense averages just under 270 yards per game, while the defense is fourth in the MAC in allowing just 280 yards per game.
FDU's offense tends to perform well against the Golden Wolves, averaging nearly 50 points per game across their four matchups. They have scored 34 and 31 points the last two seasons. In a 31-7 loss at Alvernia last year, the game was locked in a 0-0 tie through the first 20 minutes before FDU put up 14 points in the second quarter and outscored Alvernia 17-7 in the second half.
FDU Players to Watch
Ryon Thomas: Thomas has been the only quarterback to take a snap for the Devils this season. He has thrown for 865 yards and averages 144.1 passing yards per game. He also has two rushing touchdowns and has run for a gain of 251 yards. Thomas was also under center last year for FDU, and he threw for four touchdowns and 341 yards against Alvernia.
Kwanir Edwards - Edwards is the primary running back for the Devils. He has started all six games for FDU and has rushed the ball 124 times for 649 yards. He averages just over five yards per carry and averages 108.2 yards per game, which ranks him second in the MAC. He has six rushing touchdowns on the year, and also averages 10 receiving yards per game.
Otis Harold - Harold was a member of Alvernia's football team in 2019 before making the move to FDU following the COVID season. Harold, who is also a standout member of FDU's track and field team, has 17 tackles on the year along with three pass breakups and an interception. Look for him to be fired up for a big game against his former team as he is slated to make his first appearance and start against Alvernia.
Ginika Ozurumba - The 6-0, 225 lb linebacker is the leading tackler for the Devils. He has 42 tackles on the year with nine tackles for a loss of 47 yards, as well as two sacks for 26 yards. He also has two forced fumbles on the year. Look for Ozurumba to be a force on the defensive side of the ball for FDU.
Game Information:
Kickoff is slated for noon at FDU's Robert T. Shields field. For the fourth straight game, weather will be a factor. Rain is in the forecast in Madison, along with windy conditions. Live coverage options are available at auwolves.com/live
