WILKES FOOTBALL CRUISES TO 45-25 WIN AT FDU-FLORHAM BEHIND TIVALD’S BIG DAY ON THE GROUND

10/1/2011 4:49:00 PM

WILKES FOOTBALL CRUISES TO 45-25 WIN AT FDU-FLORHAM BEHIND TIVALD'S BIG DAY ON THE GROUND

MADISON, NJ – Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) rushed for a career-high 172 yards and three touchdowns as Wilkes University rushed for over 300+ yards for the second straight game in a 45-25 Middle Atlantic Conference win against FDU-Florham Saturday afternoon at Robert T. Shield Field.

Wilkes improves to 2-2 overall and stands 2-1 in MAC play. FDU falls to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in league games.

The Wilkes offense picked up right where they left off against Widener making good on their first offensive possession of the game. Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) rushed for three straight first downs to put the Colonels into FDU territory. Reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Week Alex George (York, PA/West York) connected with Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East) for a 25-yard catch and run to setup the touchdown drive. Following three straight rushing plays, the Colonels faced a 4^th and one on the FDU 8. George used his legs on a keeper to pick-up the new set of downs and setup a first and goal for the Colonels. From there, George found Daniel Curry (Drexel Hill, PA/Cardinal Ohara) for a six-yard touchdown completion to give Wilkes a 7-0 lead with 9:44 left in the first quarter capping off a 12 play, 69-yard drive.

After the Wilkes defense caused the second straight FDU punt, the Colonels offense went back to the ground attack. Tivald and Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) traded rushes totaling 47 yards. After a Tivald 16-yard dash, FDU was called for a personal foul penalty putting the Colonels deep into Devils territory at the 15. George then took care of the rest by himself with a three yard run followed by a 12-yard scamper into the end zone extending the lead to 14-0 just before the start of the second quarter.

FDU began the second quarter with a promising drive marching down to the Wilkes 47. Devils quarterback Ryan Cushman looked downfield for a deep pass over the middle, but Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) intercepted the pass and returned the ball 33 yards to the FDU 40. The Wilkes offense took advantage of the turnover as Tivald continued his fine afternoon on the ground. Tivald rushed five straight times for 27 yards, including an 11-yard run, before taking it in from the one for his first touchdown of the game. A Geoffrey Arentz (Stevens, PA/Lancaster Catholic) extra point made it 21-0 Wilkes with 10:18 left in the half.

FDU finally cashed in on offense on their next possession using an 11 play, 57-yard drive over 5:28 to cut the Wilkes lead to 21-7 with 4:44 left until the break. Cushman found Mike Winters for a six yard touchdown reception to finish the scoring drive for the Devils.

Both teams stalled on their next offensive possessions as the Colonels kept their 21-7 advantage heading into halftime. Tivald finished with 14 carries for 87 yards in the half including one touchdown. As a team, the Colonels rushed for 187 yards on 31 carries in the first frame.

FDU received the ball to start the second half after winning the coin toss and deferring. The Devils used a 30 yard kickoff return by Jon Bennett to start the drive at their own 47. After nine plays move the ball to the Wilkes 14, the FDU offense stalled and the Devils were forced to try a field goal attempt. Travis Mullen's kick from 30-yards rang true to bring FDU within 11 points at 21-10 with 10:55 left in the third quarter.

It wouldn't take long for Wilkes to answer back as Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) took Mullen's ensuing kickoff 85 yards to the house to push the lead back to 28-10.

Wilkes' special teams then got into the action forcing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Bill Connor (Nazareth, PA/Wilson) forced the ball loose from the Devils returner and J.T. Keer (Lehighton, PA/Marian) recovered on the FDU 31. Wilkes continued to punish FDU on the ground as Tivald, Wogou, and George all rushed for positive gains on the drive. Following a 15-yard run from Wogou, Wilkes was setup on the FDU 4 looking for another score. George kept it on a run up the middle looking for his second rushing touchdown of the game, but the sophomore signal caller was stripped and FDU recovered the fumble to stop the Wilkes drive on the FDU 2.

FDU used the momentum of the Wilkes miscue on offense as the Devils used a 10 play, 98-yard drive capped off by a 16-yard Cushman touchdown pass to Scott Norton to cut the deficit to 28-18 with 3:13 left in the third.

Tivald continued his career-day on Wilkes' next drive. With the ball placed on the Wilkes 40, the senior co-captain ran off tackle for 60 yards to collect his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon. The Colonels pushed the lead to 35-18 following an Arentz extra point.

After another FDU three and out, Tivald would add his third rushing score, this time from 16 yards out, to keep the game out of reach at 42-18 with 14:17 left in the fourth quarter. Wogou setup the Tivald touchdown scamper with a 24-yard gain two plays earlier on the drive.

FDU added a Cushman touchdown pass to cut the lead to 42-25, but an Arentz 24-yard field goal on Wilkes next possession kept the Devils at bay at 45-25 and ended any hopes of a full comeback.

Tivald was the story of the afternoon rushing for a career-high 172 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns. Wogou finished with 79 yards on 12 attempts, while George continued his ground attack effort with 10 rushes for 53 yards and one score. The Colonels rushed for a season-high 395 yards, the second straight contest over the 300 yard plateau. Wilkes' offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the game leading to the four Colonel rushing touchdowns.

In the passing game, George went 11-for-15 for 117 yards and one touchdown. George has yet to throw an interception in 88 attempts. Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East) posted six catches for 74 yards, while Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) added two catches for 20 yards.

Moore-Jacobs led the defense with 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. It marks the fourth straight game the sophomore linebacker has hit doubles figures in tackles. Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) followed with 10 tackles and one sack, while Dylan Mohring (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley), Tom Calabrese (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere), and Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) each posted six tackles.

Cushman finished 22-for-42 for 201 yards and three touchdowns for FDU. Mike Larson led the Devils with 75 yards on the ground.

Wilkes returns home next Saturday when the Colonels welcome #21 Delaware Valley College (5-0, 3-0 MAC) to Schmidt Stadium at 1:00 p.m.

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