EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University defense kept visiting Alvernia University off the scoreboard while adding a touchdown, and Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) returned a kickoff for a score to open the second half as the Colonels posted a 23-0 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) victory Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium,
 
Wilkes remained perfect on the season improving to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in league games. Alvernia dropped to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in conference games.
 
The teams went scoreless through the first quarter before Wilkes began its first scoring drive early in the second frame. Starting at its own 30, Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) came in under center for the Colonels running for nine yards before another nine yard scamper to pick up a first down. Hoovler then found tight end Jacob Katz (New City, NY/Clarkson North) for a 36-yard completion as Wilkes moved inside the Alvernia 20. From there three straight rushes stalled the drive setting up a 29-yard field goal from Justin Polluck that sailed through the uprights to give the Colonels a 3-0 lead with 10:24 left in the first half.
 
Alvernia was driving on its second drive of the second quarter moving the ball inside the Wilkes 40 before Dylan Walck (Hamlin, PA/Western Wayne) intercepted a Golden Wolves pass giving the ball back to the offense. Wilkes didn't possess the ball for long as Alvernia answered back picking off Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) deep in its own end.
 
Alvernia moved the ball into Wilkes territory using a Malcolm Carey 47-yard rush to do its damage on the drive. From there the Wilkes defense dug in and created a turnover, this time LeRoy Marshall picking off a Golden Wolves pass stopping the drive at the Colonels 15. Wilkes settled for the 3-0 lead heading into the half.
 
All the momentum of the game shifted on the second half kickoff as Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) found a hole in the return formation and darted 91-yards for the score to extend the lead to 10-0.
 
Another interception on the ensuing drive setup the Wilkes offense in its own territory again, this time Oyame Adoga (Clementon, NJ/Highland Regional), who returned the pick to the Alvernia 43. The Colonels went to the ground attack on the drive using six plays and 43 yards to notch its only offensive touchdown of the game when Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) ran it in from one yard out. Wilkes led 16-0 after the extra point attempted failed.
 
The defense, which controlled the tempo from the start for Wilkes, put the game away late in the third quarter as Nick Gazzola (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) posted the Colonels fourth interception on the afternoon returning the ball 42 yards for the defensive score pushing the advantage to 23-0.
 
The defense was the difference in the win for Wilkes as six different Colonels recorded five or more tackles. The unit also created five turnovers including four interceptions and a forced fumble, which stopped a promising Alvernia drive that began the contest,
 
N. Gazzola led the way with nine tackles and one interception for the score. Wlack followed with eight stops and one pick. Adoga, Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) and Steele Hess (Palmerton, PA/Whitehall) all recorded six tackles.
 
Offensively Wilkes was paced on the ground by Jules who finished with 11 carries for 72 yards and one touchdown. Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) followed with eight carries and 44 yards.
 
Katz was one of six Colonels who caught a reception on the day finishing with three catches for 61 yards.
 
Carey was the lone highlight for Alvernia as he rushed for a game-high 154 yards on 15 attempts.
 
Wilkes takes its unblemished record into Homecoming next Saturday where it hosts Stevenson University (0-4, 0-2 MAC) at 12:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.