Football

Delaware Valley 48, Susquehanna University 19
Knoblauch Shines As Aggies Go To 3-0 For The First Time Since 1963

DOYLESTOWN (PA) - Sophomore quarterback Adam Knoblauch completed 20 of 29 passes for 356 yards and a record-tying five touchdowns while also running for a score as Delaware Valley College improved to 3-0 for the first time in 40 years with its 48-19 victory over Susquehanna University in a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) game.

The Aggies are also now 2-0 and tied for first place with Lycoming College in the MAC. Head coach G.A. Mangus (34) and the majority of his coaching staff were not even born when the 1963 squad began their year with a 3-0 mark. It is also the team's first four-game winning streak (including last year's 35-29 victory at FDU-Florham in the season finale) since 1985.

As a whole, Delaware Valley set a school record by amassing 616 yards of total offense to smash the previous mark of 531 against Albright in 1993. Knoblauch led the way as 2002 MAC Rookie of the Year matched the record of passing touchdowns held by Jim Smith (1968 versus Lock Haven) and current assistant coach (2000 at Albright). His 356 yards was the fourth-highest, single-game total in school history and one yard shy of his career high. Knoblauch also rushed for 60 yards on seven carries.

Susquehanna (2-2, 2-1) held a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter before the Aggies outscored the Crusaders, 41-6, the rest of the way. Knoblauch's first touchdown pass was a 31-yard strike to senior tight end Kevin Moloney and it gave the Aggies a 14-13 lead with 13:10 left in the first half. The score came two plays after a 15-minute delay in the game due to lightning.

Knoblauch then hit freshman fullback Chase Lauth from 11 yards out to make it a 21-13 contest with 5:42 left in the half.

The Aggies' first possession of the second half saw them go 55 yards on six plays capped by Knoblauch's 31-yard scoring pass to senior wideout Nick Brady. Bill Miller added the extra point - one of six by the rookie kicker - for a 28-13 contest.

All-American wide receiver Mark Bartosic tried to bring the Crusaders back in the game as he caught a Craig Ulrich pass, broke several tackles and raced 50 yards for a score. Susquehanna failed on its two-point conversion attempt, leaving it a nine-point game with 10:41 remaining in the third.

It was all Delaware Valley from there as the Aggies immediately responded to Bartosic's touchdown by driving 72 yards on just six plays. Knoblauch capped the scoring pass by hitting sophomore tailback Steve Cook for a four-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Knoblauch ran for a 5-yard score to make it 41-19, and he hit freshman wideout Don Marshall for a 29-yard touchdown early in the fourth for the 48-19 final.

Susquehanna jumped out to its 13-7, first-quarter lead on a pair of Ulrich touchdown tosses. Delaware Valley's opening score was a one-yard run by sophomore tailback Taylor Ramos.

Marshall finished with five catches for 83 yards for the Aggies while Brady and Moloney had three receptions apiece. Ramos carried the ball 16 times for 87 yards while Cook had 14 carries for 63 yards. The Aggie offensive line did not allow a sack all afternoon, gave Knoblauch ample time to find his receivers and paved the way for the running backs.

Defensively, freshman end Anthony Silver led Delaware Valley with seven tackles. Carlo DeAngelo, Andrew Erby and Matt Murphy notched interceptions while Clint LaStella recorded the lone sack of the day.