Football

WILKES UNIVERSITY 38, DELAWARE VALLEY 24

EDWARDSSVILLE (PA) -- Freshman quarterback Adam Knoblauch set a school record with 32 completions while his 357 passing yards was the third-highest, single-game total in school history, but it was not enough as Delaware Valley College fell to host Wilkes University, 38-24, in a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) game.

Knoblauch tossed 51 passes on the day as he surpassed the 300-yard mark for the second time this season. The 357 yards is a school rookie record and trailed only Walt Bartle (393 yards vs FDU-Madison in 1995) and Duke Greco (369 yards vs Lebanon Valley in 2001) on the single-game list. Three of his completions went for touchdowns.

However, it was another freshman, Wilkes running back Jake Remmel, who led his team to victory as he rushed for a career-high 184 yards and one touchdown. The win improved the Colonels to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The Aggies fell to 1-5 overall and 1-5 in the MAC.

Wilkes jumped out to a 13-0 in the first half as Matt Kaskie hit Brian Fritts for a 37-yard scoring strike and Remmel found his way into the end zoen from six yards out. The second PAT attempt by Will McLaughlin was blocked by Nick Sabean.

The Aggies would get on the board later in the second, taking over on their own 33-yard line following an interception by Keeven Thomas. Knoblauch completed five-of-six pass attempts on the eight-play drive, including a 14-yard scoring strike to Rich Gear with 8:02 showing on the clock. Tom Rady booted the point after to cut the Wilkes lead to 13-7.

McLaughlin gave Wilkes a 16-7 lead which it would take into the locker room as he kicked a 35-yard field goal with 6:43 left in the half.

The Delaware Valley defense would come up with another big play to set up their second score of the day. Jamie Kleinle pounced on a Kaskie fumble at the Aggie 47 with 12:15 left in the third quarter. The Aggies reached the one-yard line but an illegal shift penalty moved the back to the six and they were unable to reach the end zone. Rady did hit on a 23-yard field goal attempt with 9:18 to go in the third to close the margin to 16-10.

Wilkes would take the ensuing kickoff and march 64 yards in ten plays to regain a two score lead. Remmel carried four times for 27 yards during the drive as the Colonels moved the ball to the Delaware Valley one-yard line. On first down, linebacker Steve Rogers was inserted into the Wilkes backfield. Kaskie handed to Rogers, and the junior bulled his way into the end zone with 4:05 remaining in the third stanza. Kaskie then found Mike Lorady on a pass for the two-point conversion, and Wilkes held a 24-10 advantage.

The Aggies would once again claw their way back in the game with a long scoring drive. Taking over on their own 33-yard line after Wilkes failed on a fourth-and-11 play, Knoblauch went to work. He hit four passes for 58 yards before the Aggies faced a fourth-and-five from the Wilkes 13. Knoblauch again went to the air, and again found Gear, this time for a 13-yard score. The touchdown gave Gear the all-time scoring record at Delaware Valley. Rady kicked the extra point to cut the Wilkes lead to 24-17 with 14:12 left in the game.

The Wilkes defense got in on the scoring later in the fourth. The Aggies had taken over on their own nine-yard line when Sabean picked off a Kaskie aerial attempt. But, on third-and-12 from the seven, Knoblauch had his pass intercepted by Rogers. Rogers broke four tackles on his way to a 22-yard return for a touchdown with 10:05 left. McLaughlin added the point after to extend the Wilkes lead to 31-17.

Knoblauch led the Aggies back once again in the seesaw affair. He drove his squad 67 yards in eight plays to cut the deficit. The rookie completed all five of his pass attempts, including a 35-yard strike to Carmon. The drive was capped by a seven-yard Knoblauch to Brooks touchdown toss with 6:08 left. Rady knocked home the extra point to make it 31-24.

Wilkes would finally put the game away with one final drive. Remmel carried the ball five consecutive times for 17 yards. Facing a third-and-13 from their own 47-yard line, Kaskie found Fritts for 12 yards to set up a fourth-and-one from the Delaware Valley 41. The Colonels opted to go for it, and Gallagher busted through for a 19-yard gain to the Aggie 22. The Colonels would advance the ball to the Aggie five, where Gallagher would once again get the call and reach paydirt with 34 seconds left. McLaughlin tacked on the final point of the game for a 38-24 final score.

The Aggies were held to just 24 yards rushing on 23 attempts. Carmon proved to be the leading target for Knoblauch, tying a school-record with 11 catches for 104 yards. Gear had seven receptions for 88 yards, while Brooks finished with six catches for 70 yards.

Dougie Howard led the Aggies on defense with a career-high 15 tackles. Andrew Erby had 11 tackles and one interception and Thomas had ten tackles and one pick. Thomas now has three interceptions in the last two games.