Reading, Pa. (Nov. 2, 2024) - Albright College (2-6, 1-6) scored the game-winning touchdown on its first overtime possession to defeat Alvernia University (0-8, 0-7), 22-19, on Saturday afternoon in MAC football action at Albright.

Alvernia scored on an 11 play, 80-yard drive with a minute remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 16-16 and force overtime. The Golden Wolves lost the toss and had the first possession in overtime, but had to settle for a field goal. Albright then overcame a 2nd and goal on the Alvernia 25–yard line, and, two plates later scored on a game-winning 20-yard touchdown reception.

How it Happened

• Albright took a 6-0 lead after scoring a touchdown on its first possession of the game. The Lions then made it a 9-0 game after the recovery of a muffed Alvernia punt led to a 25-yard field goal for the Lions.
• Alvernia got on the board on its first possession of the second quarter after Gage Thomas converted a 28-yard attempt to make it a 9-3 game with 13:32 to play in the opening half.
• After a trading of several possessions, Alvernia got the ball back on a Jamel Fleming interception on the Alvernia 10 yard line. Fleming returned the ball back to midfield with 2:44 to play in the half.Alvernia picked up a few first downs before the Lions stopped Alvernia on the Albright 19 yard line, forcing Alvernia to settle for a field goal attempt. Thomas converted once again, this time from 36 yards to make it a 9-6 game going into the half.
• Albright received the ball to open the second half and strung together a nearly eight and a half minute drive, but back-to-back holding penalties against the Lions stalled the drive. Albright lined up to attempt a 41-yard field goal, but the attempt was no good as it remained a three point game, 9-6, with 8:24 to play in the third. 
• Facing a 3rd and 9 on the ensuing drive, Colin Payne connected with Dachan Thompson for a 30-yard reception to put Alvernia in Albright territory. A few plays later, Alvernia got a fresh set of downs on an Albright pass interference penalty to put the ball on the Albright 17. But, the Lions stopped Alvernia again and forced the Golden Wolves to settle for a third field goal. Thomas converted his third of the afternoon, this time from 40 yards out, to tie the game at 9-9 with 2:39 to play in the third quarter.
• Albright marched down the field on the ensuing drive and broke the tie on a 41-yard touchdown reception from Chase Roberts to Alden Stickler to give Albright the 16-9 lead with 13:33 to play. 
• Both teams traded fairly long drives before Alvernia got the ball back on its own 20-yard line with 3:25 to play. Alvernia started the drive out with a 7-yard completion to Michael Williams followed by a 14-yard connection to Zach Ayers. Payne kept it following and fired off three more straight completions to move the ball to Albright's 39-yard line. Alvernia's drive stalled there and the Golden Wolves were faced with a 4th and 6. Alvernia needed to keep the drive going and Payne found Ayers for the third time on the drive right at the chains. The competition was initially ruled a first down. Albright challenged the spot, but the ruling was upheld and Alvernia got a fresh set of downs on the Albright 29-yard line. Two more completions to Ayers and a 19-yard reception by Ozmere Jones put Alvernia on the 4-yard line. Jones rushed up the middle to cap off the drive and tie the game at 16-16 following a successful PAT from Thomas.
• Albright ran out the clock and played for overtime. Alvernia got the first opportunity of overtime, and a 5-yard rush from Andrew Simmons followed by an impressive six yard catch from Thompson gave Alvernia a first down on the 14-yard line. Alvernia ran out of steam and had to settle for the field goal attempt after a 3-yard rush and two incomplete passes brought up fourth down. Thomas stayed perfect on the afternoon and converted from 27 yards out for the 19-16 lead.
• Albright's ensuing drive was a penalty riddled, but the Lions didn't back down. Facing a 2nd and 25 on the Alvernia 25, the Golden Wolves were called for a facemask penalty, moving the ball half the distance to goal and giving the Lions a fresh set of downs on the Alvernia 12. Delva Jean Baptiste then sacked Roberts on the first down to move the ball back to the 20 yard line, but Roberts found Stickler for the game-winning touchdown and the 22-19 win over the Golden Wolves.

Inside the Box Score

• Colin Payne finished 20-for-34 for 204 yards 
• Andrew Simmons rushed for 88 yards, and Ozmere Jones rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown.
• Dachan Thompson finished with seven receptions for 97 yards, and Zach Ayers had 64 yards off of six receptions.
• McCabe Piavis led Alvernia's defensive efforts with nine tackles, including one tackle for a loss and a half a sack. He also had a pass break-up. 
• Jyahdin Young Garnett had seven tackles.
• Delva Jean Baptiste and Antonio Lazar each had five tackles. Jean Baptiste also had two sacks for 16 yards.
• Gage Thomas set a new record for Alvernia with four made field goals. Thomas was a perfect 4-for-4 on the day, and also made an extra point.
• Alvernia finished with 298 yards of total offense to Albright's 321 yards.

Up Next

• Alvernia enters the stretch of its final two games of the season, both of which will be at home. Alvernia starts the stretch next week with Lebanon Valley.