On a sunny Saturday afternoon during Delaware Valley’s homecoming game, the Stevenson Mustangs football team (4-3, 3-3 in the MAC) dropped a heartbreaking 41-38 defeat to the Delaware Valley University Aggies in a battle between two MAC rivals.
“We just need to keep playing our brand of football and be consistent all 4 quarters,” third-year defensive tackle Mike Hall said as the team looks to get back in the win column.
With under 2 minutes left to play in the game, the Mustangs set up shop at their own 9-yard line to have the chance to march down field and kick a field goal to send the game to overtime or get a touchdown and win the game. On 2nd&10, fourth year quarterback Jordan Adams dropped back and threw a pass intended for second year wide receiver Seth Parker only to be intercepted by the Aggies fourth year linebacker Andrew Vernieri sealing the game. The Aggies won 41-38 giving them a chance to win the MAC lowering the odds for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs were up 38-21 starting the fourth quarter where they also turned the ball over four times in the quarter alone, allowing the Aggies to capitalize and put up 20 unanswered points to win the game.
The Aggies struck first on the first play of the game, first year wide receiver Joel Perez returned the opening kickoff 95-yards to take a 7-0 lead early.
Late in the quarter, Clouser led the Mustangs down the field on multiple runs for 18, 10, and 8 yards. Second year running back Guiliano Scavetta capped off the drive barrelling his way through the defense for a 3-yard touchdown. Tying the game at 7 going into the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter the Mustangs got the ball at their own 34-yard line, rushes from Clouser and Adams set the Mustangs up at the Aggies 11-yard line. On 3rd&5 Adams connected to third year wide receiver Ryan McClain for an 11-yard touchdown taking the lead 14-7.
“Jordan made a good throw getting me open and I knew I had to get in the endzone from there,” McClain said about his touchdown.
The Aggies answered right back with a touchdown of their own. On 4th&2, third year running back Justin Brown broke free for a 45-yard touchdown tying the game with 5 minutes left in the half.
To end the first half, the Mustangs marched down field into field goal range. First year kicker/punter Sam McKinney cashes out a 15 yard field goal to take the lead 17-14 going into halftime.
Starting the second half for the Mustangs, third year wide receiver Devon Grant returned the kickoff 44-yards being pushed out of bounds at the Aggie 26-yard line. Rushes from Clouser for 7 and 8 yards set the Mustangs up at the 1-yard line. Adams punched it in for the 1-yard score increasing their lead 24-14.
On the Mustangs next drive, starting at the Aggie 40, Adams connected on passes with Parker for 7-yards and second year tight end Anthony Rodrigues for 8-yards. Had the Mustangs just outside the redzone. An offsides penalty on the Aggies and an 8-yard run from Clouser, set up Clouser for a 4-yard touchdown run making the margin 31-14.
On the ensuing kickoff, Perez returns the kick again for a touchdown this time from 96-yards shortening the deficit 31-21.
The Mustangs answered right back. Clouser on 2nd&2 ran for 29-yard gain getting the first down. Two plays later, Parker gets the handoff and breaks it for a 22-yard touchdown run making the score 38-21.
Starting the fourth quarter, third-year quarterback Mike Galasso connected with Perez on a 8-yard touchdown pass bringing the Aggies within 10 points with the score 38-28.
The Aggies set up shop at the Mustangs 30-yard line after an Adams interception. The Aggies capped their drive off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Brown, with the Aggies only trailing by 3 with the score 38-28.
On the Mustangs next drive, they were marching down field getting down to the Aggies 30-yard line. On 4th&7 Adams passed and would be intercepted, giving the Aggies the ball at their own 23.
On the Aggies ensuing drive, Galasso connected with Perez for a deep shot on a 46-yard gain, setting up a 28-yard touchdown run from Brown giving the Aggies their first lead since the first quarter 38-41.
Clouser led the team on the ground with 33 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown. Adams and Parker added on to that with a rushing touchdown of their own. Adams finished with 10 carries and 58 yards, while Parker had 11 rushes for 49 yards. McClain led the Mustangs with 6 receptions or 45 yards and a touchdown. Rodrigues led the team in receiving yards with 55 on 4 receptions.
Third-year defensive back Daryus Henderson led the team in tackles with 8. Second-year defensive back Darius Jones recorded 7 total tackles and 2 PBU’s as third-year linebacker Matthew Berry had 6 total tackles along with a TFL.
The Mustangs host Lebanon Valley College Saturday November 1, at 1 p.m. at Mustang Stadium for their Military Appreciation Game.
