Doylestown, Pa. (Sept. 13, 2024) - Alvernia University Football will look to bounce back following a season-opening loss to Ursinus on Saturday as the Golden Wolves head to Delaware Valley University to open up MAC conference action.

Alvernia opened its 2024 season last Friday on the road with a 45-14 loss to a tough Ursinus College. Alvernia faced a 31 point deficit at halftime, and was never able to catch the Bears.

Delaware Valley opened its 2024 season down in Virginia with a 41-21 win over Hampden-Sydney.

The Aggies have been a powerhouse in the MAC since Alvernia football began back in 2018, winning the last six dating back to the 2017 season. But, the Aggies are under a new head coach after Duke Greco departed Delaware Valley for West Chester. Delaware Valley is now under the direction of Mike Isgro - an Aggie Hall of Famer and 2010 alumni. He previously served as Delaware Valley's special teams coordinator before taking over the reins prior to this season.

The Aggies are a tough squad to beat, and an even tougher one to defeat at home. Delaware Valley has won 42 straight conference contests, and the Aggies haven't lost a regular-season home contest since week two in 2019. The opponent was Wesley College, and the offensive coordinator that led the Wolverines to a four-overtime win over the Aggies was Steve Azzanezi. 

The Aggies haven't hosted Alvernia since Alvernia's first season in 2018, and it is just the fourth meeting between the two programs due to previous conference scheduling parameters. 

Inside the Series:
The Golden Wolves and Aggies have met three times prior to Saturday's matchup, and Delaware Valley has won each meeting. 

Delaware Valley defeated the Golden Wolves at Alvernia 28-18 in 2023. However, the entire game - especially the first half - was one of Alvernia's best performances of the 2023 season.  Alvernia trailed Delaware Valley by just seven, 7-0, at the half. Alvernia then allowed 14 third quarter points from Delaware Valley, but it was still just a one score game heading into the final frame. Delaware Valley then found the end zone with a 22 yard rush with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for Alvernia.

Scouting the Golden Wolves
Alvernia is coming off a 45-14 loss to a good and veteran Ursinus squad on the opening night of the 2024 season. The Alvernia defense showed glimmers of promise throughout the game, including in the first half, but was beaten by several self-inflicted wounds that it could not overcome.

Alvernia had a 10 play, 54-yard drive in the first quarter that hit a wall following a three yard rushing loss and an illegal substitution penalty. Later in the first half with the game still within reach, Alvernia had a pass deflected, intercepted, and returned back for a touchdown. The Golden Wolves also had two great kick returns - including one for a touchdown - by Zach Ayers called back for penalties. Alvernia will need to not only have those moments of success against Delaware Valley, but build and capitalize on them as well. 

The Golden Wolves will not be able to afford many, if any, self-inflicted problems against a historically tough Aggie squad. It is largely what cost Alvernia the game against Delaware Valley in 2023.  Alvernia forced more turnovers, had more success in the air, and was better on special teams. But, big penalties by Alvernia throughout the game resulted in Delaware Valley drives being extended by personal fouls on Alvernia. Three of Delaware Valley's four scoring drives were extended by personal fouls, and Alvernia's drive in the fourth quarter to keep the game in reach was stifled by chop block that turned a 2nd and 4 into a 2nd and 21. The drive ended three plays on a turnover on downs and Delaware Valley took the game just a few moments later.

Alvernia Keys to the Game
Limit the Penalties: As mentioned above, Alvernia penalties were a killer against Delaware Valley in 2023. They were also problematic in week one against Ursinus last week, with nine penalties for 90 yards compared to Ursinus' six for 65 yards. Alvernia will need to keep its game clean against Delaware Valley and not allow Delaware Valley drives to be extended by defensive penalties, or Alvernia offensive drives to be stifled by penalties. 

Establish a Run Game: Establishing a running game is something Alvernia struggled with in 2023, and continued into its week one game against Ursinus. Alvernia has not had a game with more than 75 net rushing yards since the penultimate week of the 2022 season. Not only will a solid run game help open up the passing lanes for quarterback Colin Payne and his receiving core, but it will also help Alvernia eat up the clock and keep the Aggie offense off the field. In 2023, Delaware Valley held Alvernia to 45 rushing yards compared to the 237 rushing yards the Aggies racked up. And, subsequently, the Aggies had over ten more minutes of possession time than Alvernia. 

Win Time of Possession: Historically, Delaware Valley is a team that eats up the clock. In 2023, the Aggies did not need to score a lot of points to win games. In eight of its nine wins in 2023, Delaware Valley didn't need more than 30 points to win a game. Instead, they ran an efficient offense that not only found the end zone, but ate up chunks of the clock doing so. The Aggies did not do that in a 41-21 win over Hampden Sydney in week one where they scored over 30 points and lost the time of possession battle. The season will tell if that's the new game plan under first year head coach Mike Isgro, or if last week was just a one-off situation. Either way, Alvernia will not want to risk too many quick possessions. The more time Alvernia's offense is on the field compared to the Aggies, the better it will be for Alvernia. 

Protect the Quarterback: With a young offensive line, this will be a key each and every week this season for Alvernia. Payne was forced to roll out or scramble a majority of the game against Ursinus last week. It forced Payne into primarily short yardage checkdowns instead of allowing him to move through his progressions. Alvernia has big threats at receiver and tight end in Dachan Thompson, Zach Ayers, Michael Williams, and Saul Nixon. But, Payne needs time to find them for the explosive plays.

Force 3rd and Long, and Get off the Field: Ursinus converted seven of its 13 3rd down opportunities last week. But, perhaps even more importantly, the Bears were moving the chains on first and second down, and rarely were forced to make a conversion on third down in the first half. Alvernia will need to limit the average yards per play it gives up and get its defense off the field when the opportunity is there.

Golden Wolves to Watch
Colin Payne - Payne had his eighth career game with over 200 passing yards last week against Ursinus. Payne will be once again behind a young offensive line that is tasked with protecting him against a developed and veteran defensive line in Delaware Valley. Payne will need to work quickly and efficiently to keep the ball moving down field. 

Dachan Thompson - Thompson was Payne's number one target in week one, setting a new single game reception with 12 completions. He accounted for 12 of Payne's 22 completions in week one. Expect Thompson to be a first and favorite look for Payne. His size makes him hard to guard, and a double team on Thompson could allow other receivers, like Zach Ayers and Treson Whitlow, to have more open looks their ways as well. 

Zach Ayers - Not only is Ayers a threat on offense for Alvernia, he is also a great kick returner for the Golden Wolves. Ayers had four returns for 100 yards, plus a 99 yard return called back for an off-ball holding penalty. His explosiveness on returns can put Alvernia in shorter field situations on offense. Ayers also had four receptions for 35 yards for Alvernia in week one and is a good option in the slot for Alvernia. 

Ozmere Jones and Stefan Rich - Ozmere Jones, as well as fellow back Stefan Rich, will be crucial in establishing a run game for Alvernia on Saturday. Jones is quick off the handoff and shifty, both will be important in cutting through the Delaware Valley defense. Rich will also see some running responsibility after making his debut at running back last week. The defensive end turned back will be Alvernia's power option to break through.

McCabe Piavis - Piavis, along with Delva Jean Baptiste, are the veterans of Alvernia's defensive front. Piavis, previously an edge rusher, bumped back to a linebacker in week one - posing a threat on both the rush and in pass coverage. The Aggies do allow some pressure to break through - including four tackles for a loss in week one and six against Alvernia last season. Piavis will need to pressure early and often to throw a wrench in the Aggie game plan.

Jamel Fleming - Fleming, along with the rest of the Alvernia secondary, will be tasked with the coverage of an explosive wide receiving on Saturday. If Fleming and the secondary cannot prevent or interrupt the pass, they will need to limit Delaware Valley's opportunity for yards after the catch and bring the receivers down quickly.

Scouting the Aggies
The Aggies, who are receiving votes in the first d3football.com ranking of the year, have won 15 MAC Championships since 1980 - including six straight (2017-19, 2021-23). However, this will be its first season since 2014 without Duke Greco leading the charge. Instead, it will be alumni and Delaware Valley Hall of Famer Mike Isgro making his home debut at the helm. If last week is any indication, Isgro is going for a more fast paced, higher scoring approach compared to his predecessor's inclination to hold onto the ball and score more efficiently than often. 

In week one, Delaware Valley downed Hampden-Sydney with a balanced game that capitalized on explosive plays - including a 99 yard touchdown reception on Delaware Valley's first play from scrimmage. The Aggies rushed the ball 30 times for 118 yards and conducted a very efficient passing game that averaged 13 yards a reception on just 12 completions for 274 yards.

Defensively, the Aggies forced four turnovers (three fumbles, one interception), had five sacks, and 12 tackles for a loss. Two of those fumbles resulted in scoop and scores for the Aggies. They pressure often and effectively, and allowed just 144 passing yards. The Aggies did allow a gain of 198 yards of rushing, but netted that down to 101 yards on its 12 TFLs.

Aggies to Watch
Louis Barrious IV (Quarterback) - Barrious is a veteran under center for the Aggies. He was first team All-MAC in 2022, and followed that with a junior year that saw him pass for 1,123 yards and rush for 553 more. He accounted for 11 touchdowns for the Aggies in 2023 (seven passing, four rushing). He got started on the same foot in week one with 263 passing yards on 11 completions. He threw for four touchdowns and also added 21 rushing yards to his line.

Jack Fallon (Running Back) - The 2023 MAC Rookie of the Year is an explosive threat for the Aggies. He finished 2023 with 805 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns - including 109 yards and two touchdowns against Alvernia. Fallon rushed for 64 yards on 15 touches in week one.

Nahsir Morgan (Wide Receiver) - Morgan was on the receiving end of a connection for a 99-yard touchdown reception from Barrious on Delaware Valley's first play from scrimmage of the 2024 season. Morgan finished week one with 159 yards on just four receptions. He finished with three touchdowns and is poised to be a 2024 favorite target for Barrious.

Jacquez Mabin (Defensive Line) - Mabin is coming off a fantastic game in week one that earned him MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors as well as D3Football Defensive End of the Week honors. Mabin had 13 tackles, including five TFLs and two sacks, in week one. His five TFLs resulted in 54 lost yards for Hampden Sydney. Even more impressively, his two sacks totaled a 47 yard loss. If that wasn't enough, Mabin had a forced fumble and recovery that he took back for a touchdown.

Barry Turner (Defensive Back) - Turner is entering week two following a nine tackle performance in week one. Turner also had a pass breakup and a forced fumble that turned into a 45 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Turner surpassed his season 2023 productivity in week one as he steps into a starter role for the Aggies.

Game Information
Kickoff is slated for 1:00 PM in Doylestown on Saturday afternoon. Delaware Valley is cash-only for both game tickets ($5) and parking ($5). Live options for the game are available at auwolves.com/live