DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – Delaware Valley football celebrated their first conference victory of the season in impressive fashion, amassing 577 total yards of offense in a dominant 42-7 win over Alvernia University.
The Aggies wasted no time setting the tone. After a quick four-and-out from the Golden Wolves, quarterback Louie Barrios IV connected with Nahsir Morgan for an 80-yard touchdown on the first offensive snap, reminiscent of their week one performance against Hampden-Sydney. On Alvernia's ensuing 3rd-and-long, Shaun Balkom forced quarterback Colin Payne to fumble, with Balkom recovering the ball for DelVal. On the very next play, running back Jack Fallon burst up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown, and Brendan Hazell's successful PAT gave the Aggies a commanding 14-point lead in just the first four minutes.
Delaware Valley's defense continued to make plays, with Sebastian Montlouis and Jacquez Mabin combining for an eight-yard sack to end the next Alvernia drive.
In the second quarter, with the Aggies positioned at the Alvernia 36-yard line, Nick Arcaroli entered the game and connected with Morgan once again for a 36-yard touchdown. A subsequent false start penalty stalled the Wolves' drive. Starting from the Alvernia 40, Barrios and Fallon orchestrated a drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Alvaro Lora, giving DelVal a 28-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Aggies began the third quarter with the ball, but a fumble by Fallon at the Alvernia 16-yard line halted the drive. However, Jeremiah Clark forced a fumble on Alvernia's next possession, with John Mahana recovering it for Delaware Valley. Short runs and passes set up Barrios, who found tight end Dillon Shamanow for his first touchdown of the season on the eight-yard line.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Arcaroli connected with Luan Avdijaj for another touchdown, extending the Aggies' lead to 42 points. Alvernia finally got on the board when Payne passed to Jayden Thrift for a 29-yard score. The Aggies then ran out the remaining nine minutes on their next drive, sealing their 54th consecutive MAC victory.
Delaware Valley improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play for the young 2024 season, while Alvernia falls to 0-2 and 0-1 in the MAC. The Aggies will travel to Stevenson University next week to face the Mustangs at 1:00 p.m.
