Box Score

WILKES-BARRE – Greg Nielsen's (Wharton, NJ, Roxbury) interception with 43 seconds remaining in regulation sealed it for the Colonels as Wilkes University defeated Waynesburg University 38-35 in the 2010 season opener. The game was the first football contest held at the renovated Ralston Athletic Complex.

Waynesburg (0-1) begin its final drive at its own 12 with 3:04 left after recovering a Wilkes fumble. After a sack from Tom Calabrese (Belvidere, NJ, Belvidere) dropped the Yellow Jackets back five yards, Brad Dawson completed four-of-five passes to get down to the 42-yard line with less than 50 seconds remaining. On second-and-10 after an incomplete pass, Nielsen came up with his second pick of the day on a diving catch, preserving the victory.

After back-to-back three-and-outs by both teams to start the game, Waynesburg marched to the Wilkes' 33-yard line where the Colonels held on fourth down, taking control of the ball and marking the first big play of the game.

On the third play of the ensuing drive, Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ, West Morris Central) found Anthony Dorunda (New Milford, Susqehanna) down the middle of the field for a 28-yard pass play. Three plays later after connecting with receiver Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe, Saint Pius X) to make it fourth and two, Bernsten ran it himself for four yards, giving the Colonels the first down at the Waynesburg 30. Two plays later, Bernsten threw to Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, Delaware Valley) on a screen pass, who flew up the middle untouched for a 26-yard score, giving Wilkes the early 7-0 lead.

The Yellow Jackets responded, marching 80 yards in 12 plays, scoring on an 11-yard pass from Dawson to Adam Moses, knotting the score at seven-apiece.

After a Wilkes three-and-out, Waynesburg began its drive with a quick 13-yard pass, but promptly fumbled on the next play, giving the Colonels the ball back at their own 45-yard line at the 14:43 mark in the second quarter.

With Bernsten and Marc Persing (Coal Township, Shamonkin) alternating at quarterback, Wilkes drove it deep into Yellow Jackets territory, and got a one-yard touchdown run from Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ, Edison) on the 10th play of the drive, giving the Colonels a 14-7 lead.

Wilkes would get the ball back two drives later after an interception by Nielsen was returned 57 yards all the way down to the Waynesburg 12-yard line. After a one-yard run, Berntsen threaded a pass right between two defenders, finding D'Emilio for an 11-yard touchdown, giving the Colonels a two-score lead.

Wilkes would go up by three touchdowns when Berntsen tossed his third score of the day, finding Todd Eagles (Downingtown, Downingtown East) for a 34-yard touchdown. The score came one play after Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, South Williamsport) picked off a deflected pass at the Yellow Jackets 34-yard line.

The Yellow Jackets came right back, getting two touchdowns in the final five minutes, one on a one-yard score from Dominic Moore and another on a 14-yard pass play from Dawson to Christian Jackson. Wilkes took a 28-21 lead into the locker room.

Wilkes started the third quarter with an eight-play, 66-yard drive, getting a bruising six-yard run from Bernsten for a touchdown to go up 35-21. Waynesburg with a 13-play drive of their own, getting another touchdown pass from Dawson to cut the Wilkes lead to one score.

After both teams traded possessions, the Colonels picked up a 21-yard field goal from Chris Horn (New Tripoli, Northwestern Lehigh) at the start of the fourth to put them up two scores. Then Waynesburg came back with an 11-play, 55-yard drive, getting a touchdown from Dominic Moore, bringing the Yellow Jackets to within three points and setting up the final two drives.

Troy Garove led all ground gainers, netting 97 yards on 18 carries for the Yellow Jackets. Dawson finished 23-of-44 for 271 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

Berntsen, playing in his first game in a Wilkes uniform, finished 11-of-16 for 129 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while running for 55 yards and another score. Tivald led the Colonels with 88 yards on 17 carries, adding his own score. D'Emilio had five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, leading the Wilkes pass catchers. Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, Cedar Cliff) led the Wilkes defenders with 9.5 tackles while Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown, Lower Dauphin) added nine. Nielsen had 3.5 tackles and two pass breakups to go along with his two picks.

The Colonels are back in action next week as they host Springfield College (MA) next Saturday at noon.