Delaware Valley University 28, Misericordia University 7
DALLAS (PA) – Delaware Valley University rushed for 449 yards with sophomores Devauntay Ellis and Armani Fuller-Williams each going the 100-yard mark for the first time in their careers as the Aggies posted a 28-7 victory over host Misericordia University in a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) game.
Delaware Valley improved to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play while the Cougars dropped to 0-3 and 0-2.
The Aggies kept the ball on the ground for 54 of their 67 offensive plays, including 34 carries in the second half as they held onto the ball for 20 of the game's final 30 minutes. Ellis, a junior college transfer, netted 122 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries while Fuller-Williams added 120 yards on 11 touches. Not to be outdone, Wideout Tyler Bing ran the ball seven times on jet sweeps and he gained 72 yards with two trips to the end zone.
Meanwhile, the DelVal defense help the option offense of Misericordia to just 149 rushing yards. The unit was just 6:06 away from its first shutout since 2012.
Misericordia drove deep into Aggie territory on its first two drives, but DelVal held each time. On the first, the Cougars saw a 30-yard field goal attempt by Ryan Davis float short and wide. They then drove down to the eight on their next possession and faced a third-and-2. Quarterback Jeff Puckett was hit by Rashaad Lighty and the ball popped loose. Defensive end Keith Jenkins fell on top of it at the 12-yard line to stop the drive.
Later in the first half, the Cougars had a fourth-and-20 from the 25 and Puckett overthrew an open receiver to turn the ball over on downs. On the first play after the stop, Ellis broke loose for a 37-yard run down to the Misericordia 38. Four plays later, the Aggies were in the red zone and they reached the four-yard line and Bing took care of the rest for a touchdown run. Brendan Hanagan added the extra-point for a 7-0 lead with 5:37 left in the first half.
DelVal's defense held again and, following the Misericordia punt, the offense took over at its own 36-yard line. Two plays and 30 seconds later, the Aggies were back in the end zone thanks to Fuller-Williams. He netted seven yards on the first play and then got to the outside, broke a tackle down the left side and found the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown. Hanagan's boot made it 14-0.
Bing found the end zone again midway through the fourth quarter as he took a jet sweep and raced 40 yards for the score. That capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive and Hanagan added the extra-point for the 21-0 advantage with 7:55 remaining.
Misericordia avoided the shutout as Puckett hit Ryan Kurtz out of the backfield for a 22-yard touchdown pass and a 21-7 score with 6:06 left on the clock.
After an onsides kick was recovered by James Norton, the Aggies put the game away with an eight-play, 46-yard drive. Ellis picked up the final 14 yards for his first touchdown with 1:45 remaining.
Defensively, Lighty had six tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack for DelVal. Shawn Miller had 10 tackles while Matt Smith and Nick Wright added nine and eight tackles respectively.
Puckett was 20-for-36 for 227 yards and a touchdown for Misericordia. He also led the ground attack with 83 yards on 18 carries. Mark McMaster caught eight passes for 99 yards. Hunter Pates notched a game-high 14 tackles.