The sun beamed down on the turf as the Stevenson University Mustangs hosted Delaware Valley University Aggies in a game for the ages. Coming into the game, Delaware Valley hadn’t lost a game in the MAC since 2016, with Stevenson being the team to beat them this year. On top of that, the Aggies were 11-1 all time against the Mustangs until today.
“They really trusted the process, they bought into the gameplan and it really showed up today,” defensive coordinator Cory Pietrzyk said after the game.
With 7:19 left in the game, the score was 21-14, Stevenson. Delaware Valley needed a touchdown on their next drive if they wanted to tie the game. The Aggies marched down the field where their junior tight end threw a 50-yard bomb down the field for a touchdown. Delaware Valley looked to make their point after attempt to tie the game until first-year Daryus Henderson came off the edge with a diving effort, blocking the kick, making the score 21-20 with 5:13 left in the game.
The game wasn’t over just yet, Stevenson looked to run the clock out and escape with a win. On third and 10, Adams dropped back to pass scanning the field he looked to throw to his receiver where the ball ended up being intercepted.
Delaware Valley started the drive at Stevenson’s 42-yard line. Already in good field position, all the Aggies needed was to get beyond the 30-yard line and be in field goal range. On second down, Barrios IV dropped back threw over the middle where the ball was tipped up in the air and into the hands of second-year safety Mekhi Harvey for the interception.
“When Daryus got the field goal block, I knew we had to get a turnover,” Harvey said.
The Mustang offense went on to run the clock down and end the game in football’s best formation, victory formation.
However, the Mustang defense was what carried the Mustangs through the battle, holding the Aggies to 20 points, forcing one turnover, holding them to 4-of-10 on third down and 0-0f-2 on fourth down.
“Every week the game plan is the same, just play our style of football, fast and physical. We’re the only team who can beat us,” fourth-year middle linebacker Clarence Travis said.
Travis led the Mustangs in total tackles with five and recorded a pass breakup in the victory.
The Aggies kicked the ball off to Stevenson to start the game. The first play of the game was an 8-yard bubble screen where third-year quarterback Jordan Adams connected with second-year wide receiver Dillon Johnson. Stevenson looked to capitalize off that play but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. Second-year Punter Donnie Waitt pinned the Aggies down at their own eight-yard line.
The Aggies started their first drive at their own eight-yard line with poor field position. The first play of the drive, Louis Barrios IV threw a dart down the sideline to Jasiah Davis for a 40-yard completion. On the ensuing drive, the Aggies struck first, Barrios IV connects with wide receiver Nahsir Morgan for a 36-yard touchdown to go up 7-0.
The Mustangs, however, wouldn’t be in the dark for too long. First-year running back L.J. Blackwell led the charge running through the Aggie defense with 46 rushing yards on the drive. Adams connected with second-year wide receiver Deion Richardson on the drive for gains of 14-yards and 16-yards to keep the momentum rolling. The quarter ended with the Mustangs knocking on the door of the endzone. Adams ran the ball for two yards to give the Mustangs their first touchdown of the day making the score 7-7.
Delaware Valley answered quickly on their ensuing drive, scoring in four plays. Their drive started with a 17-yard completion over the middle on first down. On second down Barrios IV threw a bomb downfield to Alvaro Lora for a 53-yard yard completion putting them down at Stevenson’s seven-yard line. On the next play, Jack Fallon ran it in making it 14-7 with 12:50 left to play in the half.
Stevenson started their next drive giving the ball to Blackwell three times for a combined 15 yards. Penalties went onto hurt the drive, forcing the Mustangs to punt. On the ensuing punt, Waitt got hit as he got the ball off leading to a flag being thrown giving the Mustangs a new set of down. With the new set of downs, Stevenson couldn’t get anything going as they were forced to punt.
On Stevenson’s next possession, they started off hot with an 18-yard run from freshman Seth Parker. During that drive, they tacked on multiple plays for short yardage inching them closer to the endzone. Adams capped off the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to third-year wide receiver Makhi Walker, making the game 14-14 with 57 seconds left in the half.
In the third quarter, both the Mustang and Aggie defenses battled. The Aggies and the Mustangs both punted on their first drives of the half. On Delaware Valley’s second drive, fourth-year middle linebacker Gavin Shields stopped the quarterback sneak on fourth down, giving the Mustangs the ball at their own 24-yard line.
Stevenson looked to capitalize as their offense was moving the ball downfield thanks to Blackwell and Richardson. In the fourth quarter, just when Stevenson was looking to take their first lead of the day, Adams threw an interception in the endzone.
Delaware Valley looked to put their foot on the gas after the interception and retake the lead, but crucial penalties hurt them as they were soon facing a fourth and 35 at their own 15-yard line. To make things worse, a bad punt led to Stevenson getting the ball at the Aggies 34-yard line.
Stevenson looked to take advantage of the beautiful field position and take the lead. On third and seven, Adams connected with Johnson for a 15-yard gain putting them at the Aggies 16. On the very next play, Seth Parker got the handoff and rushed 16 yards for the go-ahead touchdown giving Stevenson their first lead of the game, making the score 21-14 with 7:19 left in the game.
After Delaware Valley then scored their final touchdown, Henderson would go on to do the impossible, saving the game with a desperate block-point, making the score 21-20.
Stevenson won the game as underdogs like in the story David and Goliath. This was the first time Stevenson has beaten Delaware Valley since 2016 when they won the MAC conference title.
Key players from the game on offense were quarter back Jordan Adams who finish 12-15 with 112 yards and a touchdown. He also finished with a quarterback rating of 138.1, an 80% completion percentage, and tacked on 10 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown. LJ Blackwell led the team on the ground with 27 carries for 117 yards, averaging 4.1-yards per carry.
“My lineman helped me get all those yards,” Blackwell said after the game.
Defensively, Clarence Travis led the team in tackles with five total and had a pass break up. Gavin shields had four total tackles and one for a loss. On the defensive line, Terae Franklin had three solo tackles and one for a loss. Mekhi Harvey led the team in interceptions with one and added on a tackle to finish the game.
Stevenson looks to build off this game next week as they host Alvernia University at Mustang Stadium on September 28 at 1 p.m.
