Football

Wesley College 24, Delaware Valley College 21

DOVERE (DE) - Wesley College, ranked seventh in Division III, scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to rally from a 21-7 deficit and down visiting Delaware Valley College, 24-21, in a non-conference game.

It marked the second straight week that the Wolverines had to come from behind at home as they improved to 2-0 on the year. The Aggies fell to 0-2 despite being outscored by a combined five points by Division I-AA Iona College (14-12) and a Wesley team that reached the NCAA Division III semifinals in each of the last two years.

Delaware Valley used three Wesley miscues to help build its 21-7 lead. Early in the first quarter, the Wolvernines snapped a ball over the punter's head to give the Aggies a short field at the Wesley 19. Three plays later, quarterback Mike Isgro connected with Joel Foreman for a 16-yard touchdown - the third time this year that two teamed for a score. Steve Giovacchini's extra-point attempt was partially blocked, then hit the crossbar but went over for a 7-0 lead with 8:24 left in the first.

Wesley tied the game on the first play of the second quarter when Jason Schatz connected with Michael Clarke on a 31-yard score to complete a seven-play, 80-yard drive.

Later in the quarter, Wesley drove deep into Aggie territory by Charles Squitiere intercepted a pass at the two-yard line and returned it 52 yards to the Wesley 46. Freshman tailback Matt Cook took care of the rest for Delaware Valley with runs of 35 and five yards before he bounced off tackles on the right side for a six-yard touchdown run. Giovacchini's point-after gave the Aggies a 14-7 lead that they took into the intermission.

Delaware Valley then built a 14-point lead in the third quarter, as Kyle Reuter forced a fumble with a sack and recovered the loose ball at the Wesley four-yard line. Cook got the call three more times, ending a one-yard scoring plunge with 8:02 left in the quarter.

It stayed a 21-7 ballgame until early in the fourth when, on a third-and-seven Schatz hit Larry Beavers for a short pass that he broke into a 56-yard touchdown. Collin Blugis added the extra-point for a 21-14 score with 13:04 remaining.

Delaware Valley, which managed just one first down in the second half, went three-and-out and the Wolverines took over at midfield. Wesley drove to the Aggie 21 and settled for three points as Blugis hit a 37-yard field goal to make it 21-17 with 7:39 to play.

On the next Aggie possession, Isgro stretched for a first down by Jeremiah Santiago forced a fumble that Sean Matthews recovered at the Aggies' 22. After Delaware Valley stuffed the Wolverines on the first three downs, Schatz took a shot at the end zone on fourth down. Tight end Jon Lanouette went up and came down with the ball, crashing into a pair of Delaware Valley defenders as he landed, knocking all three into the end zone. The extra-point gave Wesley its first lead of the game at 24-21 with just 5:31 left.

Delaware Valley reached its 48-yard line but a fourth-and-down pass fell incomplete, Wesley picked up a first down and ran out the clock for the victory.

The Aggie defense shined throughout the game against one of the most potent offenses in Division III. They forced three turnovers, notched two sacks and held Wesley to just 4-of-17 on third down conversions.

All-American linebacker John Pursell followed his 15-tackle performance last week with a career-best 16 stops and a forced fumble against Wesley. Squitiere finished with nine tackles and a pick while Reuter tallied nine tackles, one sack, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Cook carried the ball for 22 times for 92 yards and two scores. Isgro finished just 8-of-19 for 69 yards and one touchdown.