Warren Ruda

WILKES FOOTBALL SUFFERS 14-6 SETBACK AGAINST #16 DELAWARE VALLEY

10/8/2011 11:06:00 PM

WILKES FOOTBALL SUFFERS 14-6 SETBACK AGAINST #16 DELAWARE VALLEY

EDWARDSVILLE – Despite a third straight 100+ yard rushing performance from Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison), including a 77-yard touchdown run mid-way through the third quarter, visiting #16 Delaware Valley College held on for a 14-6 Middle Atlantic Conference win over Wilkes University Saturday afternoon from Schmidt Stadium.

Wilkes slips to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in MAC play. Delaware Valley remains perfect at 6-0 overall and 4-0 in league contests.

Wilkes took the opening kickoff and drove to the Aggie 24-yard line, but Alex George (York, PA/West York) threw a deep pass into the end zone where Delaware Valley's Troy Green picked it off resulting in a touchback. The Wilkes defense forced a three and out and a low snap on the Delaware Valley punt resulted in the Colonels taking over at the Delaware Valley 46. The Colonels were unable to take advantage of the Aggie miscue.

Later in the first frame, George was sacked and fumbled on the play that Delaware Valley recovered on the Wilkes 10-yard line. From there, Delaware Valley's Kyle Schuberth found the end zone from two yards out and the extra points was good to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead with two minutes left in the first.

The two squads combined for three turnovers on the next three possessions. An Aggie fumble, followed by a Wilkes interception gave Delaware Valley the ball back on their one-yard line. The Wilkes defense created yet another turnover as Matt Gunther (Easton, PA/Easton) intercepted the Aggies long pass near midfield.

Delaware Valley forced a Wilkes punt on the ensuing possession and took over at their own 15-yard line. From there, Delaware Valley used a nine-play, 85-yard drive capped off by a Rodney Blango touchdown reception to push their lead to 14-0 with 4:44 remaining in the first half.

Wilkes went three-and-out and the Aggies broke through and blocked Jordan Fredo (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area)'s punt attempt. The Aggies would take over at the Colonel 16-yard line. The Wilkes defense was up to the task yet again and forced a long field goal attempt. It didn't mattered how long because Josh Brito (Little Falls, NJ/Passaic Valley) broke through and got a hand on the kick to send the teams to the break with the score 14-0.

Tivald finally broke free from the Delaware Valley defense shaking off several defenders after taking a handoff from Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) going 77 yards for the Colonels score. Geoffrey Arentz (Stevens, PA/Lancaster Catholic)'s extra-point missed off the upright, but Wilkes pulled to within one possession at 14-6 with 9:13 left in the third quarter.

Wilkes had one promising drive later in the contest as the Colonels converted two third-down plays and drove to the Aggie 22. Bernsten then passed into the end zone where the ball was tipped and grabbed by an Aggie defensive back for the interception. However, the Aggies gave the ball back to Wilkes in Delaware Valley territory as Schuberth was stripped of the ball by Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) with just over eight minutes remaining. The Colonels then faced a fourth-and-three from the 17-yard line and Tivald got the call but stopped a yard short with six minutes to go.

Delaware Valley picked up 11 yards on the ground on a big third down play and then faced another third-and-11 from its own 33. Quarterback Aaron Wilmer hit his receiver for a 20-yard completion and a key first down. The Aggies ran the ball twice and the Colonels burned two of their timeouts to set up a third-and-9 from the Wilkes 46-yard line. Wilmer kept the ball for a keeper and got to the outside for a 12-yard run to seal the win.

Tivald enjoyed his third straight 100+ yard game finishing with 25 carries for 148 yards and the one score. Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) posted 27 yards on seven rushes.

The Colonels passing game struggled to find its rhythm as Wilkes went 5-for-22 for 71 yards and three interceptions.

The defense was solid throughout as Tate Moore Jacobs led the way with 13 tackles, his fifth straight game with double digit stops. Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) finished with nine tackles, while Pellowski made seven stops and the forced fumble. Gunther recorded the lone interception for Wilkes.

Wilkes will return to action next Saturday with a road matchup at Lycoming College at 1:30 p.m. from Williamsport, Pa.

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