DOYLESTOWN,PA – No. 14 Delaware Valley University racked up 517 total yards of offense jumping out to a 20-0 lead at the half and never looked back as the Aggies posted a 27-14 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) victory over the Wilkes University football team Saturday afternoon at James Work Memorial Stadium.
 
The Colonels suffered just their second defeat of the 2022 season falling to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in MAC play. Delaware Valley remained unbeaten on the year moving to 8-0 overall and sits atop the conference at 6-0.
 
The Aggies wasted little time taking the early advantage when Tahmir Barksdale caught a short pass from Louie Barrios IV and scampered 78 yards to pay dirt for the touchdown on the opening possession of the game. The extra point attempt was blocked by De'Von James (Mount Holly Springs, PA/Boiling Springs) as the Aggies settled for the six-point advantage.
 
Following a Wilkes punt on its opening drive, Delaware Valley marched down the field for a second time going 13-plays, 75 yards capped by a one yard touchdown run from Walt Truxell that pushed the Aggies lead to 13-0 following the successful extra point with 3:13 left in the first quarter.
 
The Aggies struck one last time late in the first stanza setting up the scoring play with a 65-yard pass from Barrios IV to Dez Austin moving inside the Wilkes 20. Three plays later Jay White rushed in from one yard out to extend the lead to 20-0 with 13:01 left in the first half.
 
Wilkes had its best scoring opportunity late in the first half driving the ball down to the DVU 30 using three Aggie penalties to assist in the drive. Following a holding penalty, the drive stalled on a fourth and twenty play as Xavier Powell's (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) pass to Cory Pelzer (Somerset, NJ/The Pennington School) was broken up ending the run.
 
The Colonels began the second half with the ball where they started their first scoring drive of the contest. A roughing the passer call moved the ball to the DVU 47 before an 11-yard pass from Powell to Zane Grover (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) moved Wilkes inside the DVU 40. Another Powell completion, this time to Pelzer for 18 yards, marched Wilkes down to the DVU 15. After three short rushes, Powel connected with Devin Higgins (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) for a six-yard touchdown pitch-and-catch to put the Colonels on the board trailing 20-7 with 9:32 left in the third.
 
Delaware Valley looked to put the game away early in the fourth quarter moving the ball down inside the Wilkes 40 before Angel Ramos (Allentown, PA/Parkland) stripped Barksdale after a short completion and Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) recovered the ball ending the promising drive. Wilkes could not capitalize as four plays later the Colonels were forced to punt the ball away.
 
One last Aggie drive sealed the home conference victory as Barrios IV threw his second touchdown pass of the game finding Nahsir Morgan for a 53-yard catch and run for the score pushing the advantage to 27-7 with under eight minutes to play.
 
Wilkes continued its fight late in the game as Powell found Grover over the middle for a 53-yard catch and run moving the ball down to the DVU 25. Two plays later Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) ran in from five yards out to move the Colonels to 27-14 with 6:05 remaining.
 
That would be the last time the Colonels would touch the ball as Delaware Valley ran out the final six minutes to clinch the victory.
 
Powell finished 11-for-31 for 156 yards and one touchdown in his first career start. Powell also led the Colonels on the ground running 12 times for 60 yards. Jules, the Colonels leading rusher, was held in check by the staunch Aggies defense finishing with nine carries for 40 yards and the one score.
 
Grove led all Wilkes receivers with two catches for 64 yards. Higgins followed with three reception for 39 yards and a touchdown.
 
James was all over the field on defense for the Colonels finishing with a career-high 17 tackles. Brandon Holcomb (Boynton Beach, FL/Boca Raton) followed with ten stops.
 
Barrios IV was consistent under center for Delaware Valley throwing for 286 yards and two scores on 18-for-23 passing. Jay White rushed 18 times for 118 yards and one score on the ground for the Aggies.
 
The Colonels return home next Saturday when they host Lycoming College at 12:00 p.m. in a MAC matchup at Schmidt Stadium,