Reading, Pa. (Nov. 16, 2024) - Alvernia University (1-9, 1-8) completed a second half comeback with overtime touchdown reception by Zach Ayers as the Golden Wolves defeated Misericordia University (3-7, 2-7) 34-31 on Saturday afternoon in the 2024 Football season finale at Alvernia.

The Cougars led 21-14 at the half and made it a 28-14 game going into the fourth quarter. The Golden Wolves got within a touchdown on a 26-yard touchdown reception by Dachan Thompson off the pass of Joseph Sarjoo. Alvernia then swung all the momentum its way when Ah'mer Gibbs intercepted a botched attempt by the Misericordia punter to throw the ball away. Gibbs ran the interception back 36 yards to tie the game at 28-28.

Alvernia made defensive stops to both close out the fourth quarter and hold the Cougars to a field goal on their opening try of overtime. Alvernia then completed the comeback when JJ Gonzalez found Ayers in the back right corner of the end zone to seal the overtime win for Alvernia, 34-31.

The Golden Wolves honored their Class of 2024 prior to kickoff. Alvernia honored Zach Ayers, CJ Edmonds, Elijah Carr, Antonio Lazar, Delva Jean-Baptiste, Jamel Fleming, Joe Bertz, Zack Martin, and Dachan Thompson prior to the game. Alvernia also honored Greg Harder (2002-2022), who would have been a member of this year's season class. 

How it Happened

• After trading two sets of possessions each, it was the Cougars who struck first with a 19-yard rush up the middle from Davon Reams to take a 6-0 lead after a failed extra point attempt.
• Alvernia put itself in excellent field possession on the ensuing drive when Zach Ayers ran the kickoff back for 58 yards. It took Alvernia just two plays to take the lead when the Golden Wolves took over on the Misericordia 29 yard line. Andrew Simmons got things started with a 3-yard rush and then broke through for a 26-yard touchdown run to put Alvernia ahead, 7-6, with 1:45 to play in the first.
• The Golden Wolves then took the lead on their first drive of the second quarter when Gonzalez connected with Ayers for the first time of the afternoon on a 27-yard reception to make it a 14-6 game with 11:35 to play in the opening half.
• The Cougars responded right back and evened the game at 14-14 on a 12-play 72-yard drive on their next possession. 
• After a quick three and out by Alvernia, Misericordia got the ball right back scored on a 46-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-14 lead with 2:10 to play in the half. The Cougars took that lead into the break.
• Misericordia pushed its lead to 28-14 as the third quarter came to a close following an 8-yard rush from Misericordia quarterback Jacob Hunter. 
• After having to punt the ball away to open the fourth quarter, Alvernia got the ball back when McCabe Piavis grabbed a fumble off the bad snap to give Alvernia a short field. The Golden Wolves were facing a 3rd and 14 on the Misericordia 26-yard line when Joseph Sarjoo found Dachan Thompson on a 26-yard connection to make it a one-score game, 28-21, with 10:37 to play.
• The Golden Wolves then tied the game on a wild play during a punt gone wrong for the Cougars. Facing a 4th and 8 on their own 36-yard line, the Cougars lined up in punt formation. But, the snap sailed high, forcing the punter to jump up and grab it as Alvernia defenders rushed in. Instead of throwing the ball away, the punter instead threw it right into the open arms of Ah'mer Gibbs, who was rushing into the play. Gibbs got the ball in stride and rushed it back 30 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 28-28 following another successful PAT from Gage Thomas.
• The Cougars and Golden Wolves traded drives with the game tied, but Misericordia was set up for the final possession. The Cougars drove it down to the Alvernia 13 yard line and lined up for a field goal try with two seconds to go on the clock. Alvernia blocked the first attempt, but the Golden Wolves were flagged for too many players on the field, but Misericordia had an offsetting foul resulting in a second try for the Cougars. Piavis blocked that attempt and sent the game to overtime.
• Alvernia won the toss and differed, putting the Cougars on offense first. Misericordia picked up an early first down, but Alvernia stopped the Cougars from there and forced them to kick and convert a field goal to take a 31-28 lead.
• Simmons set things up for Alvernia with a 10-yard rush to open Alvernia's possession, and he put Alvernia on the 13-yard line going in with a 2-yard rush. The Golden Wolves then found the back of the end zone when JJ Gonzalez rolled to his right to avoid the rush and found Ayers in the back right corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

Inside the Box Score

• JJ Gonzalez, Joseph Sarjoo, and Frank Billings all shared time at quarterback. Gonzalez went 5-for-11 for 70 yards and two touchdowns, and Sarjoo went 6-for-11 for 67 yards with one touchdown. Billings went 1-for-1, but rushed for 35 yards.
• Andrew Simmons led Alvernia's rushing efforts with 18 rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
• Ayers led Alvernia's receivers with three receptions for 46 yards and two touchdowns. He also had five kick returns for 159 yards.
• Anthony Hugee led Alvernia defensively with 12 tackles and three pass break-ups.
• Edmund Wisseh had nine tackles, and Delva Jean-Baptiste had eight tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack.

Of Note

• Dachan Thompson broke the single-season reception record with his second reception of the day. He finishes the season with 52 receptions on the year. 
• Today marked Alvernia's first win in program history over Misericordia and first win in overtime.