EDWARDSVILLE – Wilkes University used big plays through the air along with rushing for 273 yards on way to a 45-20 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) victory over visiting FDU-Florham Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
The Colonels improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in MAC games sitting in second place in the conference behind leader Delaware Valley University. FDU-Florham fell to 2-7 overall and 1-6 in league games following the road defeat.
 
The Wilkes defense provided the first turnover on the day as Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) intercepted Tommy Galante's third and six pass giving the offense the ball at the FDU 33. After a first down moved the ball down to the FDU 10, the drive stalled and Justin Pollack (Sloatsburg, NY/Suffern) was called on for a 28-yard field goal that he kicked through to give the Colonels an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
 
The Wilkes defense was up to the task on the Devils second drive of the game forcing a three and out and subsequent punt. The FDU snap on the punt sailed over the punters head and into the back of the end zone as Wilkes was awarded two points on the safety.
 
On Wilkes' following possession, starter Doug Weist (Frackville, PA/North Schuylkill) was intercepted by Miles Smith at the FDU 15 after a promising drive and Smith took the pick home for six as the Devils led 7-5 following the successful extra point attempt.
 
From there it was the big pass that gave the Colonels the lead back as Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) connected with Aboubacar Fofana (Bronx, NY/Kennedy) for a 39-yard touchdown pass on a third and 21 after FDU decided to take the yardage on a Wilkes personal foul penalty and not decline for a fourth down. Pollack's extra point attempt was wide right as Wilkes led 11-7 with under a minute left in the first quarter.
 
After another FDU three and out, Wilkes began another drive from its own 13 yard line. John Washington (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy) was called on for quarterback duties rushing for 15 yards on a third and two to keep the drive alive. From there Washington hit Mike O'Donnell (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) for 44 yards down the left sideline to send the Colonels inside the FDU 20. Facing a third and goal, Washington's pass into the end zone intended for Justin Deihm (Honey Brook, PA/Twin Valley) sailed out of bounds as Wilkes would settle for a 35-yard field goal attempt. Pollack's kick hit the left upright and FDU escaped holding the Colonels to another scoreless drive.
 
The teams traded punts before Galante connected with Rory Sullivan for a 32-yard touchdown as the Devils took back the advantage up 14-11 with under one minute left in the first half.
 
Wilkes held one last chance to score before the half ended and the Colonels went back to the big play through the air to do its damage as Hoovler and Fofana connected again, this time for a 38-yard pitch-and-catch to give Wilkes an 18-14 lead at the break.
 
Wilkes received the ball to start the second half and Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) entered the game at quarterback for Wilkes firing on all cylinders after sitting out the first half. Tabora continued to torch the Devils defense with Fofana out wide as the duo hit for 40 yards to move the ball down to the FDU 8. From there JaQuan Sheals (Dallas, TX/Cheshire Academy) ran in from one yard out to extend the advantage to 25-14 with 12:19 left in the third quarter.
 
After another three and out from FDU, Tabora capped off an 11-play, 87-yard drive to Derek Nelson (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock) for a 20 yard touchdown pass right over the middle of the field to push the lead to 31-14 with under five minutes left in the third.
 
Tabora and Nelson connected one more time early in the fourth quarter, from 11 yards out, to put the game out of reach as Wilkes led 38-14 with 14:02 left in the contest.
 
FDU added one more late score on a 63-yard touchdown pass that rounded out the Devils scoring in the game.
 
Tabora tossed his third touchdown pass of the half late in the fourth quarter hitting O'Donnell from five yards out to finish off the 27-point half for the Colonels.
 
Tabora finished 10-for-14 for 145 yards and three touchdowns in just one half of play. Hoovler went 3-for-7 for 79 yards and the two scores to Fofana.
 
Sheals led a host of Colonel runners who saw time in the game finishing with 147 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, the second consecutive game the rookie went over the 100-yard mark on the ground.
 
Fofana enjoyed a career-day on the outside posting four catches for 121 yards and two scores. Nelson added five receptions for 75 yards and two scores while O'Donnell finished with three grabs and one score.
 
Moyer led the Wilkes defense with a team-high eight tackles and one interception.
 
Wilkes returns to Schmidt Stadium next Saturday hosting Stevenson University (6-2, 5-1 MAC) on Senior Day in a matchup of two teams tied for second place in the MAC. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.