Madison, NJ (Oct. 21, 2023) - FDU-Florham (3-4, 2-4) used a 24-point second quarter to power past Alvernia University (0-7, 0-6) in a 41-16 win over the Golden Wolves in MAC football action on Saturday at FDU-Florham.

Alvernia had a promising first drive to get on the board, 3-0, before FDU scored 38 straight to take a 38-3 lead with ten minutes to play in the third quarter. Alvernia scored the next 13 points, but it was not enough as the Devils came away with the 41-16 win.

Alvernia received the opening kickoff and put together an excellent drive, moving 59 yards over ten plays. Alvernia found itself with a first and goal on the nine yard line, but the Golden Wolves could not punch it in and settled for a Joe Fragale field goal to take the 3-0 lead early.

The Devils responded with a 65-yard drive that ended in the end zone as FDU took the 7-3 lead late in the first quarter. That touchdown opened the floodgates for the Devils, who scored points on their next five drives to take a 38-3 lead with ten minutes to play in the third quarter.

Alvernia put a stop to the scoring run by the Devils with a 10-yard touchdown run by Shymarr Wright. The touchdown was a result of a quick three-play, 24-yard drive that was setup by a 44-yard kick return by Zach Ayers. It was Ayer's second solid return of the game - he posted a 96-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the second quarter, but it was called back for a hold on the Golden Wolves. 

Both teams traded drives through the rest of the third quarter.

Alvernia opened the final frame facing a 2nd and 16 on their own 25 yard line. Alvernia quarterback Colin Payne found Ayers for a 15 yard reception, and then Payne called his own number as Alvernia converted the 3rd and 1. Alvernia worked its way down the field, finding fresh life after a holding call on FDU on a 3rd and 13 gave Alvernia a fresh set of downs. Another penalty on the Devils two plays later moved the ball to the FDU 25-yard line. Alvernia kept it rolling with a 13 yard rush by Ozmere Jones, which setup a 12 yard pass from Payne to Joseph Perkins to make it a 38-16 game.

FDU responded with a field goal on its next drive. Alvernia had another opportunity in the red zone on the ensuing drive, but ran out of time.

Payne finished 15-for-30 for 153 yards and a touchdown. Wright finished with 31 yards rushing and a touchdown. Perkins led the receivers with five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Elijah Carr led the Golden Wolves with 13 tackles, and Antonio Lazar finished with nine. It was the second straight game Alvernia did not record a takeway after having at least one takeaway in the first five games of the season.

Alvernia is back in action next Saturday at Lebanon Valley.