Statistics

The Colonels and FDU-Florham were only able to score one touchdown in a downpour, but Wilkes was able to convert the extra point which proved to be the difference in its 7-6 win over the Devils.

Both teams struggled moving the ball on the muddy field and were unable to threaten in the first quarter. Neither team was able to get into the red zone in the first, but in the second quarter Rob Johnson (Bridegwater, N.J./Bridgewater) hit Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe/Saint Pius X) from 21 yards out with 14:47 to go before the half and after Chris Horn (New Tripoli/Northwestern Lehigh)'s extra point the Colonels led 7-0.

The score would remain that way until FDU-Florham's Bill Winters hooked up with Andrew Scamporino for a 23-yard touchdown pass pulling the Devils within one with 53 seconds to go before the half. Without solid ground to kick off of, Travis Mullen's extra point didn't get high enough to get over his linemen as the extra point failed, giving the Colonels a one point lead with under a minute to play in the half.

Wilkes dodged a bullet as Johnson was sacked at the Colonel 42 yard line and was unable to hold on to the ball as James Gartland recovered the loose ball at the Wilkes 31-yard line. The Devils managed just one yard on three consecutive downs, and on a fourth-and-nine play Winter's pass fell incomplete, giving Wilkes the ball back with five seconds remaining before the break. The Colonels would take a knee on the next play and take a 7-6 lead into the locker room at the half.

The Colonels threatened at the end of the third quarter as they drove down to the Devil one yard line, but was unable to punch it in on two-straight plays. On second and goal from the one, Johnson was sacked for a loss of six yards before he was sacked again for a second-straight time for a loss of eight. After nearly falling into the end zone, the Colonels found themselves with a fourth-and-goal play from the 15-yard line. An incomplete pass later, FDU-Florham took over from inside its own 20.

It didn't take long for Winters to take over as he dashed 44 yards on the Devils' first play and after a holding penalty, the Devils found themselves at midfield. Winter would account for 21 yards over the next three plays and thanks to a personal foul by the Colonels, FDU found itself on the 15-yard line. After a fumble on the next play, Mullen attempted a 40-yard field goal which fell short with 7:10 to go in the game. It would be the last time the Devils would threaten.

Statistically, the Colonels put up just 223 yards of total offense, and for the first time this season had more rushing yards (118) than passing (105). Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) had a team-high 44 yards on 13 carries, while T.J. Bergmann (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) finished with 41 yards on 14 carries.

The Colonels snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in MAC play. They will be looking for their second-straight conference win when they head to Williamsport to take on Lycoming next Saturday.