EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University football team used six Lycoming College turnovers, including four interceptions and two fumbles to power past the Warriors 24-7 in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
The Colonels improved to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in MAC play. Lycoming dropped to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in league games.
 
Following a three-and-out, the Colonels defense opened the game with its first caused turnover when Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) intercepted a tipped-ball setting Wilkes up for its first scoring drive at the Lycoming 45. Three plays later, Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) bounced off several Warrior defenders and into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown run putting the Colonels up 7-0 with 11:40 left in the first quarter.
 
The Wilkes defense caused its second turnover on the Warriors ensuing drive as Donnell Mackey-Woodson picked off an Elijah Shemory pass at midfield. The drive would stall and Wilkes was forced to punt. After the teams traded possessions, Wilkes began its second scoring drive as Xavier Powell (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) connected with Jules on a 17-yard completion on a third and nine to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, including a Lycoming Pass Interference penalty, Wilkes moved inside the Lycoming five. Jules then added his second touchdown run of the game going in from two-yards out to extend the lead to 14-0 with 1:51 left in the opening stanza.
 
The Wilkes defense continued its fine play taking the ball away for a third time in the first half, this time Leroy Marshall (Cambria Heights, NY/Christ the King) taking the pick back 56-yards for the score to push the advantage to 21-0 four minutes into the second quarter.
 
Lycoming finally got on the board late in the second quarter as Shemory ran in from one yard away to cut the lead to 21-7 at the break.
 
The only scoring over the final two quarters between the teams was a Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) 20-yard field goal that put the Colonels ahead by three touchdowns, a lead they would never surrender.
 
Neither team could get the passing game going throughout as Wilkes finished with 97 yards passing and Lycoming 85 yards through the air.
 
Jules went for 101 yards and two scores on 20 carries to lead the Wilkes ground game.
 
Marshall topped all Colonel defenders with a career-high seven tackles and the 56-yard pick six.
 
Prior to the game, Wilkes athletics Equipment and Facilities coordinator Tom Dunsmuir served as an honorary captain and was honored for his 40-years of service following his announcement to retire.
 
Wilkes is on the road next Saturday traveling to Ownings Mills, Maryland for a MAC matchup at Stevenson University at 12:00 p.m.