DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Delaware Valley University received touchdowns from four different players, including one on defense, as the new-look Aggies opened the 2015 campaign with a 27-24, non-conference victory over visiting Montclair State University.
The Aggies, who return just nine starters from last year's 9-2, NCAA playoff-qualifying team, won their third season opener in a row and their sixth over the last seven campaigns. The last two have come against the Red Hawks, who went 8-2 last season.
DelVal took advantage of a short field after a poor Montclair State punt to score on its first offensive possession of the season. Taking over at the Red Hawk 30, the Aggies used four plays to get down to the three-yard line. Junior transfer quarterback Danny Farley then called his own number and scored his first touchdown. The extra-point attempt was blocked, but DelVal had a 6-0 lead just 3:34 into the contest.
The Aggies were stopped on their next drive but freshman Stephen Adams booted a 64-yard punt to back Montclair State up to its own 10-yard line. However, a pair of first downs was followed by a 55-yard pass from Ryan Davies to Aaron Williams. Denzel Nieves followed with a 12-yard run down to the one-yard line and he then scored on the next play. Frank Schneeber added the extra-point for a 7-6, Red Hawks lead with 4:22 left in the first.
It remained that way until late in the opening half as Montclair State entered DelVal territory. Davies went back to pass and he was crushed by senior linebacker Rashaad Lighty. The ball popped loose and defensive tackle Marc Isaac was there to scoop it up. The sophomore returned the fumble 50 yards for a touchdown. Nick Restaino added the extra-point and the Aggies suddenly had a 13-7 advantage with just 57 ticks to go before halftime.
DelVal began the second half with possession and moved the ball to the Montclair State 48 where it faced a fourth-and-one. The Aggies elected to go for it but Farley was stopped for a one-yard loss and the Red Hawks took over. They drove to the DelVal two and Nieves found the end zone, but it was called back because of a penalty. They had to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Schneeber to get to within three at 13-10.
The Aggies responded with an eight-play scoring drive that Armani Fuller-Williams capped with a 23-yard burst to the end zone. Restaino's point-after made it 20-10 with 2:59 left in the third.
Back came Montclair State as Davies hit Doug Pandolpho for a five-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it a three-point game once again. DelVal had an answer again, this time on an elecrtic run by junior Tyler Bing. He took the handoff to the right and broke a trio of tackles before reversing field. He went untouched from there, scoring from 44 yards out and a 27-17 lead with 12:11 remaining.
The Red Hawks would not go away and Davies hit Anthony Dorsi for a two-yard touchdown pass and Schneeber added the extra-point for a 27-24 ballgame with 4:14 left. The Aggies went three-and-out and Montclair State took over at its own 35 with 2:58 remaining. They moved into DelVal territory where they faced a fourth-and-seven from the 47. Davies' pass downfield was knocked away by safety Shawn Miller and the Aggies ran the clock out from there to secure the win.
DelVal racked up 332 yards of offense while its defense permitted 369. Farley completed 21 of 34 passes for 215 yards with freshman Eric Shorter hauling in nine of those passes for 112 yards. Bing carried the ball three times for 46 yards and a score while also catching five passes for 47 yards. Robert Cleveland netted 87 yards on 16 carries. Defensively, seniors Danny Wynne and Matt Smith led the way with 10 and nine tackles respectively.
Davies was 22-for-35 for 258 yards and two touchdowns for the Red Hawks. Nieves ran the ball 27 times for 107 yards and one score while Williams caught seven passes for 142 yards. Joe Falato led the defensive effort with nine stops.