It’s the weekend of homecoming, and the Mustangs had a big game on Saturday. Not only was it the homecoming game, but there was a hall of fame induction ceremony held at halftime for the class of 2024. The hall of fame class featured Justin Anderson ‘12 (baseball), Kyle Holechek ‘14 (lacrosse), Brent Hiken ‘14 (lacrosse), Marrisa Meikeljohn ‘14 (women’s lacrosse), Samantha Perillo ‘14 (women’s volleyball) and Jessica Giesalman ‘14 (women’s volleyball).
Stevenson University came out firing on all cylinders while the Albright Lions couldn’t get anything working for them.
The first play of offense for the Mustangs showcased fourth-year quarterback Nyaire Wilson, who unloaded a bomb down the field to second-year star wide receiver Deion Richardson for a 45-yard completion. First-year running back LJ Blackwell ran 23-yards untouched to score the first of many points for the Mustangs.
“Nyaire Wilson is a bad man. Me and him [have] been working all summer getting chemistry and it showed today,” Richardson said.
Once again, Wilson and Richardson connected on another deep ball, but this time going for 46-yards. That play would set up a 33-yard field goal for second-year kicker Donnie Waitt. Stevenson was now up 10-0 with 3:36 left in the first quarter.
Halfway through the second quarter, the Lions were marching down picking up some momentum until the Mustang defense made a big stop on fourth down. The Lions lined up to go for it on fourth-and-one, where they were ultimately stopped by second-year defensive end Tera Franklin.
The Mustang offense found themselves at the Albright 11-yard line due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the lions. Blackwell bulldozed his way through the defense for his second touchdown of the game making the score 17-0, Stevenson.
“The line and receivers were pushing back their men back opening holes for me to run through,” Blackwell said after the game.
To end the half, the Mustang defense once again came up big. Albright faced a second-and-one at the Mustang 12 until they fumbled, and fourth-year middle linebacker Clarence Travis scooped up and ran down field where he was pushed out of bounds at the Albright twenty-eight.
The Mustangs started the second half right where they left off. Second-year wide receiver Devon Grant returned the opening kick-off 46-yards to the 40-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Wilson uncorked a 40-yard pass down the sideline to Richardson, this time being a touchdown. 24-0 Stevenson.
Albright’s first and only points of the game came from a 35-yard field goal, early in the third quarter. 24-3 Stevenson.
The Mustang offense took the field once again, this time starting at the Albright 20. First-year running back Edward Emmens had a big gain of 17-yards. On third-and-goal from the six, Wilson was looking for a man in the endzone but ultimately kept it himself and made a leaping effort for the goal line, getting the touchdown on a six-yard run making the score 31-3.
On Albright’s ensuing drive, things took even more of a turn for them. Fourth-year outside linebacker Kidduse Kebede came screaming off the edge getting a strip-sack, fourth-year defensive tackle Chris Velardi picked up the ball and ran 25-yards for the touchdown with the score 38-3.
Stevenson’s defense made another stop once again, third-year cornerback Bryan Kelly recorded his third pass break up (PBU) of the game on first down and. Then on third down first-year defensive back Tyler Lassik intercepted a pass, ending the drive.
To start the fourth quarter, Stevenson started to run the clock out with their strong rushing attack. Third year running back Kirk Reed started it off with a 28-yard run being tackled at Albright’s 34. The run game only got stronger during the drive as Reed and Emmens both carried the ball for 5+ yards multiple times during the drive. Reed capped the drive off with a 9-yard touchdown run making the score 45-3.
On the next defensive drive, second-year defensive end Ibrahim Dail came off the edge forcing a strip sack, third-year Mamadou Sall recovered the ball setting up a 33-yard field goal for Waitt making it 48-3.
The Mustangs finished the day with an outstanding performance in all phases of the game. Waitt finished the game 2/2 on field goals with his longest being from 33 and 6/6 on his extra point attempts.
“Definitely a statement game, the entire goal today was to define ourselves as a team,” Kelly said.
Kelly finished the game with four total tackles and three PBU’s. Third-year defensive-back Amari Fleming-Powell led the team in tackles today with seven, he also recorded one PBU and a tackle for loss. Third-year defensive tackle Tommy Fisher stood out today recording three sacks.
“We always preach 11 hats to the ball, we’re not just pass defenders, we need to be tacklers too if we want to be great” Fleming-Powell said.
Offensively, Wilson led the passing game going 8/15, 187 yards and a touchdown. He also tallied three carries for 11 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Blackwell finished with 12 carries, 87 yards and two rushing touchdowns on the day, he also had one reception for 12-yards. Richardson hauled in five receptions for 162-yards and a touchdown.
“On offense, we’re a great group, but it takes all 11 doing your job at the best of your ability every snap and that’s what we showed today,” Wilson said after the game.
The Mustangs will travel to Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania for their next game on October 26 at 12 p.m.
