Box Score

WILKES-BARRE – Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown, Lower Dauphin) picked off a pass with 35 seconds remaining and returned it 23 yards to set up a 30-yard field goal by Chris Horn (New Tripoli, Northwestern Lehigh) with 15 seconds left to give Wilkes University a come-from-behind 38-35 win over Albright College in the MAC opener for both teams at the Ralston Athletic Complex on Homecoming weekend.

The Colonels (2-2, 1-0) saw themselves down 35-24 after an eight yard run by Albright quarterback Ben Schaffle with 8:16 left in game. On the ensuing Wilkes drive, the Colonels drove to the Lions two-yard line before getting a field goal from Horn to cut the lead to eight with less than five minutes left. On the drive, Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ, West Morris Central) connected with Anthony Dorunda (New Milford, Susqehanna) three times for 29 yards, setting up the score.

On its next drive, Albright tried to run out the clock but was forced into a punt after gaining eight yards on its three plays. On the kick, Cory Bennett (Monroe Twp, NJ/Monroe Township) came free on the defense's right side, getting a hand on the ball as it traveled just 16 yards to the Lions 47.

Wilkes used its momentum, as Berntsen found Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) for 14 yards on third-and-eight and then Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe, Saint Pius X) for 23 more on the following play, getting the Colonels down to the Albright eight-yard line. Berntsen then took it himself on the first-and-goal, scoring a touchdown to set up the two-point conversion attempt. Going with the hot hand, Berntsen again took it, pulling it down on a pass and diving for the corner pylon, just sneaking the ball in to tie the score at 35-apiece with 1:17 left in the fourth.

After a first down incomplete pass and a loss of four on a second down running play, the Colonels called a timeout with 35 seconds left, setting up the Gerhart interception along the sideline. Wilkes ran just one play, a seven-yard run by Tivald, to set up the 30-yard game-winning field goal.

The Lions had one last chance after receiving the kickoff, but Chris Swinarski (Old Bridge, Old Bridge) and James Moore (Orwigsburg, Blue Mountain) doubled up on the sack to seal the victory for Wilkes.

In addition to the strong ending, the Colonels started strong too. Stopping the Lions on their first drive, Wilkes drove 59 yards down the field, getting a touchdown run from Berntsen from three yards out to take the quick 7-0 lead. The Colonels were aided on the drive by two Albright penalties, a personal foul call and a pass interference penalty.

Albright wasted little time tying the score, taking just four plays to drive 80 yards on its next drive. The Lions benefited from a 32-yard catch and run from Josan Holmes and a 43-yard pass from Adam Galczynski to Luke Wallace two plays later for the score.

The Colonels offense remained hot, this time doing it without the assistance of Albright penalties. Berntsen and Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) converted key first downs and a Todd Eagles (Downingtown, Downingtown East) 38-yard reception took the ball to the Albright 21. Wogou then took a handoff on a fly sweep, dodged through defenders, and ran the rest of the way for a touchdown to give the Colonels a seven-point lead.

After a 29-yard field goal by Horn 15 seconds into the second quarter, Albright responded with an eight-play, 72-yard touchdown drive to bring its deficit down to 17-14. 

Wilkes struck again on its next drive, getting a Tivald one-yard touchdown run after a nine-play, 55-yard drive right before halftime, giving the Colonels a 24-14 advantage. Berntsen again had the key play on the drive, running for 28 yards to the Albright 25.

The Lions took the lead in the third, getting a four-yard scoring run from Clif LeGrand and a 22-yard rush from Ty Hughes to take a 28-24 lead. Both scores came after Colonels' turnovers.

Albright then went up 35-24 after another Wilkes turnover, putting together a 10-play, 64-yard drive. The score would set up the Wilkes comeback in the final 8:16 of action.

Holmes led the Lions with 99 yards on 20 carries, also catching two passes for 53 additional yards. Galczynski finished 6-of-11 for 114 yards and a score while Schaffle was 5-of-11 for 67 yards and two interceptions.

Tivald led all rushers with 102 yards on just 14 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per touch. Berntsen had 92 yards on 18 carries and the two scores, while going 17-of-29 for 194 yards and three picks. D'Emilio had six catches for 67 yards while Dorunda added five for 40 yards. D'Emilio's total gives him 99 career receptions, which puts him in a tie for 10th all-time in school history.

Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) had another huge day defensively, posting 16 tackles and one tackle-for-loss. He now had 59 total tackles in just four games. Gerhart also came up huge with nine tackles and two picks, while Walt Pabst (Scranton/Scranton) finished with eight tackles and a sack.

The win gives head coach Frank Sheptock 90 for his career, trying Rollie Schmidt for first all-time in school history. He'll look for his 91st next Saturday as the Colonels travel to Annville to take Lebanon Valley College. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.