COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Delaware Valley football dropped its 2026 season opener to Ursinus College, 17-14, on Friday night.
Sebastian Swiatek kicked off the 2026 season and the Aggies defense immediately forced a three-and-out, with Jo'Zyiah Brown and CJ Patridge teaming up for the stop. Mike Galasso and Justin Brown then teamed up for a 44-yard drive before the Aggies' progress was halted after two incompletions near midfield. Later, on the DVU 22, Machado connected with Zulkowski for the first score of the game to put DelVal ahead, 7-0, with 3:43 left in the first quarter.
Joel Perez followed with a 34-yard kickoff return to bring the offense back onto the field. The Aggies received free yardage thanks to a defensive holding call but couldn't capitalize. Ursinus then took a roughing-the-passer penalty, but the DelVal defense held the Bears out of field goal range. On the ensuing punt, a lucky bounce led to a 53-yard return by Jovan Tyrell to the UBC 43. Galasso connected with Mike Dunn for a 17-yard gain before time expired.
Following two incompletions to start the second quarter, Galasso was intercepted by Zigbuo, turning the ball over to the Bears. The defense again held strong, forcing a three-and-out, and after the punt, Justin Brown broke loose for a 26-yard gain. Abraham Bataille caught an 11-yard pass before short runs moved the Aggies to the UBC 15. Galasso found Perez in the back of the end zone, initially ruled incomplete, but after a review, the pass was deemed a touchdown. Brendan Hazell added the PAT to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:39 remaining in the half.
A 42-yard rush by the Bears put Ursinus in DelVal territory, but a series of incompletions forced Ursinus to settle for a 35-yard field goal. Later, a false start set the Aggies back before Galasso was intercepted again, this time looking for Dunn. The Bears attempted a 51-yard field goal, but the kick went wide left, leaving DelVal trailing 10-7 at halftime.
The Aggies received the ball to start the third quarter but gained just 18 yards before punting. A 19-yard gain by Green put the Bears deep in Aggie territory, and Bernard punched it into the end zone to extend the Ursinus lead to 17-7. John Dzielawa grabbed a short pass before Perez secured a pass and raced 47 yards for a touchdown. Hazell added the PAT to cut the deficit to three.
On the next drive, Kimir Stephenson intercepted Machado to give DelVal the ball back. Back-to-back penalties then put the Aggies in a first-and-30 situation. Galasso broke off a 20-yard rush, but DelVal was forced to punt.
Two stops by Myles Reynolds helped force another three-and-out midway through the fourth quarter. The Aggies later set up for a 44-yard field goal attempt, but the kick missed with 4:32 remaining.
Multiple rushes by Bernard, including a 32-yard gain, set Ursinus up at the DelVal 21. Stephenson made a key stop to force a fourth-and-inches with 1:34 remaining, but the Bears went for it and gained the first down. Ursinus then went into victory formation to secure the 17-14 final.
With the loss, DelVal falls to 0-1 on the season and will travel to Lebanon Valley College on Saturday, September 12.
