Reading, Pa. (Oct. 7, 2023) - Alvernia University (0-5, 0-4) trailed #24 Delaware Valley University (4-1, 4-0) by just seven at the half, but the Aggies ultimately came away with the 28-12 win over the Golden Wolves on a rainy Saturday afternoon in MAC football action at Alvernia. 

The Golden Wolves set the tone early. Alvernia opened the game with an 11-play, 33-yard drive that was highlighted by a powerful 17-yard gain along the sideline by Ozmere Jones. But, the drive died out after an offensive pass interference call and a sack pushed Alvernia back out of field goal range.

Alvernia and the Aggies traded drives in the first half, but neither team was able to put points on the board. Alvernia outgained the Aggies, 64-29, in total yards in the opening 15 minutes.

The Golden Wolves continued to hold strong to open the second quarter, forcing a punt by the Aggies after a 3rd and long situation. 

Alvernia's offense started to get to work on a two yard run by Ryan Matyas and a first down pick up on a 16-yard connection from Colin Payne to Zach Ayers. But, the Aggie defense held strong and stopped Alvernia on a 3rd and 1 and again on a 4th and 1 for the turnover on downs.

Delaware Valley then put together an ensuing drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of game time and resulted in seven points on the board for the Aggies following a four yard rush up the middle to the end zone. The drive was aided by a questionable targeting call that turned a 10 yard completion into a 25 yard gain. The targeting call was ultimately overturned after a halftime review.

After the eight minute touchdown drive for Delaware Valley, Alvernia got the ball back on their own 43-yard line with 1:34 to play in the half. Alvernia put together a solid two minute drill that was highlighted by a 46-yard highlight-reel catch by Joseph Perkins along the Delaware Valley sideline to put Alvernia on the Del Val 11. Alvernia got it down to the Del Val 5 on a 4-yard completion to Jacob Montalto that set up a 4th and 4. Alvernia opted to go for it as time was ticking down. Payne had Monte McMorris off the edge, but McMorris could not reel it in as Alvernia turned it over on downs.

Del Val took a knee to close out the half. Alvernia outgained the Aggies in total yards, 141-117, in the first half. 

After Alvernia failed to convert an onside kick to open the second half, the Aggies were driving on their shortened field. The Aggies drove up to the Alvernia 4-yard line. But, a 3-yard tackle for a loss by McCabe Piavis and Khysir Young pushed the Aggies back to the 7-yard line, and a delay of game call made it a 3rd and 12 from the 12. Del Val quarterback Louis Barrios was looking at the right pylon, but Taron Gale read the play and came flying in for an interception. 

The interception marked Gale's sixth of his career to set a new career record for interceptions for Alvernia. 

The Golden Wolves were unable to get anything going on the ensuing drive as the Aggies took back over on their own 35 yard line.

A 24-yard rush by Del Val's Jack Fallon got the drive started and marked the first of ten straight rushes by the Aggies. The 65-yard drive was capped by a one-yard rush by Fallon that found the end zone to give the Aggies a 14-0 lead with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter.

An interception early in Alvernia's ensuing drive gave the Aggies a short field and they capitalized. Following two rushes and an unsportsmanlike penalty on Alvernia, the Aggies found the back of the end zone on a 7-yard rush by Fallon to give Del Val a 21-0 lead with three minutes to play in the third.

The Golden Wolves need just one play to respond and get on the board. With Alvernia's next drive starting on the Alvernia 25-yard line, Payne found Thompson in stride on a go route up the middle. Thompson broke off through two defenders around midfield and beat a third defender to score on a 75-yard touchdown reception. Alvernia's extra point failed, but Alvernia was on the board, 21-6. 

Alvernia kept the momentum going on the next Aggie drive. After a penalty on the kickoff along with an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Aggies pushed them back to their own 5-yard line, a mishandled ball fell out of the hands Barrios and onto the ground. Alvernia pounced on it and recovered for a short field on the Del Val 1-yard line.

Alvernia again needed just one play as Payne called his own number and rushed off the right edge for a 1-yard touchdown run. Alvernia's two-point attempt, but Alvernia's deficit dropped to nine, 21-12, with 2:30 to play in the third quarter. 

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Alvernia forced another punt by the Aggies and took over on its own 12-yard line. Back-to-back passes for 36 and 16 yards to Perkins pushed Alvernia into Aggie territory. Alvernia kept things rolling with three straight rushes for an additional 16 combined yards. But, Alvernia stalled out on the edge of the red zone and sent out the field goal unit. The attempt missed as Alvernia continued to trail by nine, 21-12, with just over ten minutes to play.

As the Aggies were again driving, Alvernia forced its third turnover of the game. This time it was a fumble on the Alvernia 16-yard line that was recovered by James Moffat. However, Alvernia could not capitalize as the Golden Wolves gave it right back. 

Del Val again took advantage of a short field and found the end zone on a 22 yard rush to take a 28-12 lead with just under two minutes to play.
Alvernia's attempt at a final minute comeback got off to a tricky start after the Golden Wolves were pinned to its own 6-yard line following the kickoff. Alvernia gave itself some breathing room and worked its way down the field, but the Aggies put a stop to the drive and took over on downs on their own 35 yard line. The Aggies would run out the clock and walk away with the 28-12 win.

The 28 points Alvernia gave up to Delaware Valley is the least amount Alvernia has given up to the Aggies in their three meetings, and the least amount of points Alvernia has given up this season.

Payne finished with 268 passing yards on 16 completions. Perkins finished with a career-high 117 yards on five receptions, and Thompson had three receptions for 90 yards. Jamel Fleming led Alvernia with 11 tackles and Young had nine. Stefan Rich finished with 1.5 tackles for a loss, and Piavis finished with one tackle for a loss. Alvernia's offense finished with 313 total yards to Del Val's 276.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday at home hosting Stevenson as part of Alvernia's Homecoming and Family Weekend.