DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – Delaware Valley football defeated Misericordia University, 48-21, in a turnover-filled Homecoming matchup on Saturday afternoon.
Following the opening kickoff, Mike Galasso completed a short pass to Justin Brown, who took it 56 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game. Brendan Hazell converted the extra point to give the Aggies an early 7-0 lead. The Cougars marched down the field to the DelVal one-yard line, but the Aggies came up with three consecutive stops from Aziyah Garland, Jaseer Slocum, and Basil Walter to force a turnover on downs. After a penalty pushed DelVal back, Galasso was intercepted by Meletta, who returned it 20 yards for a touchdown to even the score. Brown and Zyaire Goffney-Fleming helped move the ball to midfield, but Goffney-Fleming fumbled, giving Misericordia possession at its own 30-yard line. The Cougars were unable to pick up a first down, and Will Almeyda returned the ensuing punt 58 yards for an apparent touchdown. However, an illegal block in the back by DelVal nullified the score. After a short pass, the Aggies earned a first down when Misericordia was called for unnecessary roughness. A few plays later, John Dzielawa caught a short pass but fumbled on the tackle, allowing the Cougars to recover once again.
Misericordia ran into penalty trouble on its next possession before two incompletions forced another punt. Almeyda returned the kick 17 yards to set DelVal up at the Cougars' 28-yard line. On fourth-and-five, Galasso found Kenny Montgomery for a first down before connecting with him again. A facemask penalty moved the Aggies to the two-yard line, where Dayshon Jackson punched it in for a touchdown to put DelVal ahead 14-7. The Aggies' defense followed with a pass breakup by Maurice Beverly II and a sack by Garland to force another punt. DelVal needed just two plays to score again, as Galasso connected with Montgomery for a 22-yard gain before finding him for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Misericordia responded with a drive aided by several penalties, eventually reaching the DelVal one-yard line, where Fluri rushed for a touchdown. With time winding down in the second quarter, Galasso connected with Mike Dunn for a 28-yard gain to close out the half.
The Cougars were forced to punt on their opening possession of the second half, but DelVal gave the ball back after a backward pass to Brown was ruled a fumble. The Aggies challenged the call, but it stood. On the next Misericordia possession, Thomas Arcaroli forced a fumble, and Slocum recovered it and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown to put DelVal ahead 28-14. After a 28-yard gain by the Cougars, Jovan Tyrell intercepted Borden and returned it 60 yards for another Aggies touchdown. Misericordia continued to struggle with turnovers, as the quarterback fumbled the snap at the DelVal 17-yard line, allowing Hunter Johnson to recover the ball for the Aggies.
Both teams were forced to punt before DelVal added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth-and-nine near midfield, Jackson broke through the middle for a 45-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 42-14. Misericordia answered with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Whittaker, cutting into the Aggies' lead with 8:28 remaining. After the ensuing punt, Goffney-Fleming broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run on the first play of DelVal's possession, pushing the score to 48-21. The Cougars kept the ball on the ground during their final possession as the clock ran out.
With the victory, the Aggies improved to 5-2 overall and 5-1 in MAC play. DelVal travels to Wilkes-Barre next week to take on King's College at 1 p.m.
