Annville, Pa. (Oct. 28, 2023) - Alvernia University (0-8, 0-7) came up just short as Lebanon Valley College (5-3, 5-2) edged the Golden Wolves, 34-26, in MAC football action on Saturday afternoon at Lebanon Valley.
After trailing the Dutchmen 7-0 through the first quarter, Alvernia put up 13 to Lebanon Valley's six in the second quarter to tie the game up at 20-20 going into the half. The Dutchmen and Golden Wolves matched each other drive for drive to keep the game within one in the final minutes, 27-26, in favor of the Dutchmen. However, the Dutchmen made it an eight point game, 34-26, with just over two minutes to play. Lebanon Valley then held off to Alvernia possessions to come away with the 34-26 win.
The Golden Wolves received the opening kickoff, but could not get anything going and were forced to punt it away. Alvernia's punt was blocked and set the Dutchmen up with excellent field position on Alvernia's 17-yard line. The Dutchmen needed just four plays to get on the board with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Later in the quarter, the Dutchmen were driving and going for it on a 4th and goal from Alvernia's 3-yard line. Taron Gale came up with an interception for Alvernia to keep the Dutchmen from adding onto their lead. Alvernia was forced to punt it away on the ensuing drive as the game moved into the second quarter with the Dutchmen leading, 7-0.
The Dutchmen converted a 29-yard field goal to open the scoring in the second quarter and take a 10-0 lead.
Alvernia responded on its next drive, with the drive getting off to a fast start for Alvernia with a reverse handoff that saw Monte McMorris pass the ball 37 yards down field to Dachan Thompson. The next play was another 30+ yard pickup as Ozmere Jones broke free down the Lebanon Valley sideline to set Alvernia up on the LVC 3-yard line. Two plays later, Shymarr Wright found the endzone on a 1-yard pickup to get Alvernia on the board, 10-7.
The Dutchmen had to settle for a field goal to take a 13-7 lead on their next drive as a touchdown was called back due to a penalty.
Alvernia utilized another big play on its next drive to even the game up at 13-13. Two completions of seven yards and six yards from Colin Payne to Wright and Joseph Perkins, respectively, setup a 74-yard touchdown reception from Payne to Dachan Thompson to even the game up at 13-13.
The game would remain 13-13 going into the half.
Alvernia and Lebanon Valley traded drives to open the second half, and the Dutchmen broke the 13-13 tie on their second series of the half after quarterback Braden Bohannon rushed for a 33-yard touchdown to give LVC a 20-13 lead.
Alvernia responded on the ensuing drive. Two completions to Joseph Perkins set up a 4th and 1 on the Alvernia 34-yard line, and Payne rushed for a yard to convert the fourth down and give Alvernia a fresh set of downs. Payne then found Michael Williams for two short gains before connecting with Perkins again. This time the gain was for 60 yards as Perkins caught it on the LVC sideline and beat multiple defenders on a break for the endzone. Joe Fragale converted the PAT to tie it up at 20–20 with 6:06 to play in the third quarter.
After a solid return by the Dutchmen, Lebanon Valley took over at the 50-yard line. The Dutchmen put together a seven play drive that was capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass to give the Dutchmen the 26-20 advantage.
Facing a 3rd and 13 on their own 22 on the ensuing drive, the Golden Wolves found fresh life on the drive when Payne connected with Ayers for a 38-yard completion to move Alvernia into Dutchmen territory. Payne then found Jared Gardner for another 12 yards and an 11-yard rush by Ozmere Jones closed out the third quarter with Alvernia in the red zone. Following a pass interference call on the Dutchmen, Alvernia moved up to the 1-yard line, and a 1-yard rush by Wright put Alvernia within one, 27-26. The PAT did not convert as the Golden Wolves remained down by one.
The Dutchmen were moving on their next drive and on the verge of the red zone when Delva Jean Baptiste grabbed Alvernia's second interception and third takeaway of the day.
Alvernia worked its way down into LVC territory and faced a 4th and 4 on the 36-yard line. Payne had Williams across the middle, but a big hit by the Dutchmen defense popped the ball out of the hands of Wililams and forced a turnover on downs with 6:47 to play.
Lebanon Valley went back on top on its next drive, putting together a seven-play drive that saw all yardage picked up via the ground. The drive was capped off by a 31-yard rush by Dion Bryant that gave Lebanon Valley the 34-26 lead with 2:28 to play.
A penalty on the kickoff combined with a 21-yard return by Ayers gave Alvernia a first down on its own 38-yard line. However, the drive lasted just three plays before Alvernia committed its only turnover of the game on an interception.
Alvernia's defense came up with a big stop and forced a 3-and-out by the Dutchmen to give Alvernia the ball back on its own 19-yard line with 41 seconds to play. Alvernia worked its way up to just shy of midfield before a sack by the Dutchmen ran the clock down to zeroes.
Payne surpassed the 300+ yard passing mark for the second time in his career, throwing for 33y yards on 24 completions. He had three passes for over 30 yards, including two for over 60 yards. Jones finished with 53 yards on six carriers. Wright finished with 25 yards and two touchdowns. Thompson led Alvernia with 148 receiving yards on six receptions. Perkins finished with 92 yards on five receptions. Nine different receivers had at least one catch on the game.
On the defensive side of the ball, Elijah Carr led Alvernia with 11 tackles, Khyzir Young and Antonio Lazar each finished with seven.
Alvernia returns home on Saturday hosting Albright College. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at Alvernia.
