Alvernia University Athletics

Reading, Pa. (October 31, 2026) - Alvernia University (5-3, 5-2) scored 34 points in the second and third quarters en route to a 41-20 victory over FDU-Florham (0-8, 0-7) Saturday afternoon in a MAC football clash at Alvernia. 

The Golden Wolves honored its 2026 senior class prior to the final home game of the season. 

Alvernia's 41 points in the victory is the most points in a win in program history and it is also the largest margin of victory. It is also the first time the Golden Wolves have beaten FDU-Florham. 

The Devils grabbed the early lead in the game and were up 13-0 in the second quarter before the Golden Wolves responded with 21 points in the second quarter, seven of which came from an interception return for a touchdown, to take a 21-13 lead into the half. Alvernia then came out of the half and posted back to back touchdown drives to take the 34-13 lead after three quarters. Alvernia tacked on seven more points after the second pick six of the day before the Devils added one final touchdown before the Golden Wolves sealed the 41-20 victory over the Devils. 

How it Happened 

• After the Golden Wolves forced a fumble on the opening kickoff to turn the ball over, Alvernia gave the ball right back to the Devils on its first play from scrimmage with an interception. 
• Both teams traded punts back and forth before FDU-Florham went right down the field and tallied a 14 play, 83 yard touchdown drive to take the early 7-0 lead over the Golden Wolves. 
• After the Golden Wolves went three and out, they sent the punt unit on the field but the Devils sent the punt block at Alvernia and blocked the punt and returned the ball to the Alvernia one yard line. The Devils then punched the ball into the endzone but missed the extra point to extend the lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter. 
• Alvernia responded to the FDU-Florham touchdown with a touchdown drive of its own on the ensuing drive and went 71 yards in eight plays to pull within one score, 13-7. The Alvernia drive was highlighted by a Zakai Smullen 33 yard reception, 38 yards on the ground including a one yard touchdown run from Adonis Dixon. 
• The Golden Wolves then grabbed the lead three plays later when Julian Matera threw an errant pass that was intercepted by Kashantis Anderson, Anderson took the ball 47 yards to the house to put Alvernia up 14-13. 
• Alvernia forced an FDU-Florham three and out on the next drive and got the ball back on its own 17 yard line. It took the Golden Wolves just four plays to go 83 yards, 54 of those came off the touchdown grab by Adonis Akande down the center of the field to put the Golden Wolves up 21-13 heading into the half. 
• The Golden Wolves received the second half kickoff and picked up eight where they left off in the second quarter and ripped off a a six play, 48 yard scoring drive that ended in yet another Akande touchdown grab from Esbenshade, this one a five yard catch, to push the lead to 14, 27-13. 
• Alvernia forced another Devils turnover on the ensuing drive after another Anderson interception set the Golden Wolves up at the FDU 38 yard line. The Golden Wolves wasted no time and Esbenshade fired a deep ball to Smullen down the middle of the field for a 38 yard pitch and catch to put Alvernia up 34-13 with nine minutes to go in the third quarter. 
• Alvernia pushed the lead to 41-13 early on in the fourth quarter when the Alvernia defense tallied its second defensive touchdown of the day, another pick six, this one courtesy of Jimmy Zamena to make it a four score ballgame. 
• The Devils tacked on one final touchdown in the final two minutes of the game to make it 41-20 as the Golden Wolves secured its fifth win of the season and fourth on home turf. 

Inside the Box Score 

• Sawyer Esbenshade completed eight of 13 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Adonis Akande. With his three touchdowns, Esbenshade matches Colin Payne for the single season passing touchdown record with 12. 
• Adonis Akande hauled in five catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns including a 54 yarder. Zakai Smullen caught just two passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. 
• The Golden Wolves recorded 142 yards on the ground and had a balanced attack with Adonis Dixon and James Bermudez both tallying 49 yards rushing and Cameron Mainor posted 45 yards on the ground. Dixon averaged 5.4 yards per carry and tallied a touchdown. 
• Shawn Young recorded nine total tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. Kashantis Anderson tallied two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown and Jimmy Zamena also added another pick six and three solo tackles. 
• Jakob Keglovits added ten tackles, seven of which were solo tackles and also recorded a fumble recovery. 

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves are back in action next weekend when they travel to Delaware Valley to take on the Aggies in a massive conference clash as the MAC title race heats up. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM next weekend.