Owings Mills, MD (Sept. 28, 2024) - Stevenson University (2-2, 2-1) jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the half and held off Alvernia University (0-4, 0-3) the rest of the way as the Mustangs downed the Golden Wolves, 34-20, on Saturday afternoon in MAC football action at Stevenson.

The Mustangs forced four Alvernia turnovers and scored off of three of the turnovers en route to the win. Stevenson also used 221 rushing yards to control time of  possession and hold the ball for 37:15.

Alvernia heads into the bye week with an 0-4 record overall and an 0-3 record in conference play, while the Mustangs ride a two-game win streak into the break.

How it Happened

• Alvernia's defense had a promising start, forcing a quick 3-and-out and a punt by the Mustangs. The Golden Wolves took the ball over on their own 20 yard line ready to get to work, but Dachan Thompson fumbled a reception on a quick out-route pass from Colin Payne. The Mustangs took over on a short field and needed just three plays to find the end zone. 
• The Mustangs scored again on their next drive on a ten-yard rush from Edward Emmens to take a 14-0 lead just nine minutes into the game.
• Alvernia had a nice drive going on the ensuing drive with Stefan Rich breaking through on a 27-yard rush to open the drive, and Treson Whitlow drawing a pass interference call to put the ball on the Stevenson 23 yard line. Rich and Ozmere Jones combined for 13 more yards to give the Golden Wolves a first and goal on the 10 yard line. Alvernia then faced 3rd and 4 following a six yard gain by Jones, but Alvenria got stood up on 3rd down. Alvernia opted to go for it on fourth down, but Payne's pass to Thompson came up incomplete. 
• Alvernia opened the 2nd quarter by forcing a Mustangs punt, and, Alvernia was again driving the ball down field. But, the Golden Wolves fumbled it away on the Stevenson 37 yard line to give the ball back to the Mustangs. The turnovers continued from there as McCabe Piavis intercepted a Stevenson pass on the second play of the ensuing drive, but Alvernia gave it right back on an interception thrown by Payne to open up Alvernia's responding drive. Stevenson was able to capitalize on this turnover and score on a 14–yard touchdown pass to make it a 21-0 game with 6:01 to play in the half. 
• Alvernia was held off the board the remainder of the half as the Mustangs took the 21-0 lead into the break.
• Alvernia received the opening kickoff of the second half, but fumbled the ball on a 4th down conversion attempt to give the Mustangs the ball on the Alvernia 39 yard line. The Mustangs opened the ensuing drive with a 38-yard pass to put the ball on the Alvernia 1-yard line, and punched the ball in two plays later. They missed the extra point, but still led 27-0 with 11:49 to play in the third.
• Later in the third quarter, Piavis came up with his second interception of the game and returned this one back 26 yards to give Alvernia the ball on the Stevenson 10-yard line. Alvernia could not get anything going, but got a fresh set of downs after a Stevenson holding call on what would have been a 4th down sack for the Mustangs. Alvernia took advantage and RIch punched the ball in on a 2-yard rush to put Alvernia on the board, 27-7, with 5:09 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
• Alvernia came up with a big defensive stop to open the fourth quarter as the Mustangs opted to go for it on 4th down on the Alvernia 2-yard line. Piavis and Antonio Lazar combined for an 11-yard sack to force the turnover on downs. On the answering drive, Payne found Thompson for a 63-yard pass down the middle to put Alvernia back in the red zone, and, on the next play, Andrew Simmons rushed for a 20-yard touchdown for his first career touchdown and to make it a 27-13 game following a failed PAT by Alvernia.
• The Mustangs answered with a nearly eight-minute long touchdown drive to run the clock down to 2:46 to play and take a 34-13 lead. 
• Alvernia stayed in the fight though and answered on the ensuing drive. The Golden Wolves moved the ball to about midfield following a roughing the passer call on the Mustangs and a 12 yard reception for Jayden Thrift. Payne then found Thompson on a 31-yard reception to put Alvernia on the Stevenson 14-yard line. Payne then found Thompson right away once again for a 14-yard touchdown reception to make it a 34-20 game. But, Alvernia ran out of time as Stevenson recovered the onside kick attempt and ran out the clock. 

Inside the Box Score

• Colin Payne went 14-for-20 for 163 yards with one touchdown.
• Dachan Thompson led the Alvernia receivers with 111 yards on four receptions and a touchdown
• Ozmere Jones led Alvernia's rushing efforts with 35 yards on 11 attempts, and Rich finished with 34 yards on five attempts.
• McCabe Piavis led Alvernia's defensive efforts with a team-high seven tackles, including a half-sack, and two interceptions.
• Jyleen Neals also finished with seven tackles, all of which were solo.

Up Next
Alvernia, and the entirety of the MAC, have a bye next week. The Golden Wolves come out of the bye with two-straight home games, starting with FDU-Florham. The Devils join King's college as the final two teams undefeated in conference play. The Devils are also 4-0 overall with a non-conference win over William Paterson.