HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – A 99-yard passing touchdown and two scoop-and-score plays propelled Delaware Valley football to a 41-21 victory over Hampden-Sydney, marking the first career win for first-year head coach Mike Isgro.
The Tigers received the opening kickoff and advanced to the DelVal 14-yard line, but the Aggies' defense held firm, forcing a fourth down. Despite a missed field goal attempt by Swett, the Tigers were given another chance due to an offsides penalty. They capitalized with a nine-yard rush to take an early lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Swett and the Tigers managed to pin the Aggies at their own one-yard line. On their first offensive play, Louie Barrios IV connected with Nahsir Morgan, who sprinted past a defender for a 99-yard touchdown—DelVal's longest scoring play in history—tying the game at 7-7.
The game turned into a defensive struggle until the Aggies regained possession with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter. A pass and a pair of rushes by Barrios IV and Jack Fallon set up DelVal at the HS 45-yard line. Morgan continued his standout performance, catching a pass down the left side for a 45-yard touchdown, giving DelVal a 14-7 lead. The Tigers' drive was halted by a sack from Shaun Balkcom and Andrew Vernieri. With 1:27 left in the first half, the Aggies moved the ball to the HS 2-yard line, aided by a 36-yard reception by Rob McConnell and an 18-yard grab by Karmi Hicks. Morgan then caught a two-yard TD pass in the corner of the end zone for his third touchdown of the game; Morgan finished the afternoon with a career-best 159 receiving yards. Brendan Hazell made his first two extra points but missed this one, leaving DelVal ahead 20-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Tigers' drive from their own 25-yard line was disrupted when Dante Vernieri sacked quarterback Carter Sido, forcing a fumble that Jacquez Mabin returned for a touchdown. A minute and a half later, on a 3rd-and-1 play, Hampden-Sydney's Fain Barton fumbled at their own 45-yard line. Barry Turner scooped up the fumble and scored, and with a successful kick by Hazell, DelVal extended their lead to 34-7. With 3:17 remaining in the third quarter, the Tigers capped a 51-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Dowdy.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Tigers faced a 4th-and-30 situation from their own one-yard line, thanks to sacks by Mabin and Brandon Perot. An 18-yard punt return by Luan Avdijaj set up DelVal at the HS 15-yard line. Fallon rushed twice before Jasiah Davis caught a 13-yard pass from Barrios IV, increasing the Aggies' lead to 41-14. The Tigers responded with a seven-play, 69-yard scoring drive, but DelVal controlled the clock with solid plays from Elijah Williams, Deshawn Wiggins, and Jerimya Paula to secure their first victory of the 2024 season.
Delaware Valley improves to 1-0 overall and will play at home next Saturday, September 14, against Alvernia University.
