Box Score OWINGS MILLS (MD) – Stevenson University, ranked as high as 14
th in Division III, used a dominating defensive performance to take control of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) race with a 19-0 shutout over No. 25 Delaware Valley University in front of a sold-out crowd at windy Mustang Stadium.
Stevenson continued its best start in program history as it is 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the MAC, one game ahead of Albright College and Widener University and two ahead of the Aggies, who are 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference. DelVal more than likely has to win its final three games to reach postseason play for the 13
th time in the last 14 seasons, starting with a home match-up against FDU-Florham on Friday night, October 28 (7 p.m.).
The Aggies, who were averaging 39.3 points per game entering the contest, were kept off the scoreboard for the first time since a season-opening loss to Lycoming College back in 2002, a span of 165 games. They were held to just six first downs and 114 total yards with 62 coming on the ground and 52 in the air. They also turned the ball over three times after committing just two miscues over their first six contests.
Stevenson took the opening kickoff and marched down to the Aggie two-yard line where it faced a fourth-and-goal. DelVal safety
Jarren McBryde came up to stop Dontea Ayres behind of the line of scrimmage and the offense took over at its own three. However, on the fourth play of the drive,
Devauntay Ellis had the ball stripped away and Austin Meyers recovered it for the Mustangs at the Aggie 14-yard line.
On the very first play after the turnover, Daniel William hit Preston Addo for a touchdown pass. The extra-point attempt failed in the bad weather, but Stevenson had a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
The teams combined for four punts, a turnover on downs and a missed field goal (Stevenson) on the next six drives. DelVal then had the ball at its own 18 when quarterback
Dashawn Darden had a pass sail over the head of the intended receiver and Jimmy Laurer was there to pick it off. Laurer then returned the interception 38 yards for the touchdown and a 12-0 lead with 6:23 remaining in the first half. It was the 18
th interception of the year for the Mustangs, second-most in Division III, and the fifth they returned for a pick-six.
Neither team mustered any offense the rest of the half and the Aggies received the opening kickoff to start the second stanza. Darden completed a pass to
Marquis Ellis on the first play, but Mike Datu knocked the ball loose and Izahia Pitts recovered it for the third turnover of the day. However, the DelVal defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive.
The Aggies did not move the ball into Stevenson territory at all in the third quarter and the Mustangs put the game away early in the fourth when Williams found Dequan Ellison for a six-yard touchdown pass.
Stevenson, which was averaging 40.7 points and 387 total yards per game, was held in check by DelVal's defense as the Mustangs managed just 192 yards.
Nicholas DiGati led the attack with 11 tackles, including seven for losses. The linebacker also forced two fumbles, one which was recovered by teammate
TJ Waters. Waters,
Aric Boyes and
Frank Law finished with eight tackles apiece.
Darden completed 7 of 14 passes for 52 yards and was sacked three times.
Robert Cleveland and
Devauntay Ellis managed a combined 49 yards on 21 carries.
Willaims was 13-for-22 for 112 yards and two touchdowns for Stevenson. Datu led all defenders with nine tackles and a forced fumble while Pitts had eight stops and a fumble recovery.