ANNVILLE, Pa. (Football) – On Saturday, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) picked up two more wins in the 2016 Second Annual Centennial-MAC Bowl Series to be 4-0 against the Centennial Conference the last two years. The Albright Lions held on to defeat Franklin & Marshall, 28-23, at home, while Delaware Valley traveled to Muhlenberg for a 30-27 victory.
Over the first two years of the annual Bowl Series, all four games have been decided by an average margin of 4.25 points. Delaware Valley has now won two Bowl Series game, defeating Moravian, 20-16, at home last season. Muhlenberg is now 0-2 in the Bowl Series, falling to Stevenson, 14-9, at home last year.
Albright 28, Franklin & Marshall 23
The MAC’s top-seeded Albright Lions (8-3) trailed 13-0 to Centennial’s second-seeded Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (7-4) late into the second quarter. The Diplomat’s Tanner Erisman scored twice on one- and 10-yard rushes for the early lead.
The Lions scored with one minute remaining in the first half when Mike Knight connected with Vinny Williams for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
F&M led 13-7 at the half.
Albright took its first lead of the game, 14-13, with 8:12 left in the third quarter when Roemello Monroe scored from one yard out to cap a seven-play, 81- yard drive.
The lead changed three more times before Albright’s Monroe capped off a nine-play, 88-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 28-23 lead (failed 2-point conversion).
F&M threatened late, getting down to the Lions’ eight-yard line with under a minute to play, but the Albright defense stood strong to turn the ball over on downs and run the clock out.
Albright’s sophomore quarterback Mike Knight was named the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) finishing the game completing 10-of-17 passes for 159 years and two touchdowns.
(Photo Credit: Tom Boland)
Delaware Valley 30, Muhlenberg 27
The MAC’s second-seeded Delaware Valley Aggies (9-2) jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Centennial’s top-seeded Muhlenberg Mules (9-2). The Mules scored early in the second quarter, but failed on the two-point try, to cut the deficit to 10-6.
The Aggies’ extended their lead to 23-6 late in the second quarter on a 14-yard touchdown run by Tyler Bing with five minutes left in the half, and then a 22-yard touchdown catch by Eric Shorter with 2:11 on the clock. Delaware Valley missed a two-point conversion on its second touchdown of the game.
Muhlenberg capped off a nine-play, 65-yard drive with 13 seconds remaining in the first half with a one-yard touchdown run by Nick Palladino.
Delaware led 23-13 at the half.
The Mules cut the lead to 23-20 late in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from Nick Savant, capping an 11-play, 71-yard drive.
The Aggies struck back early in the fourth quarter with an eight-play, 39-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass from Dashawn Darden to Michael Jensen. Delaware Valley led 30-20.
Four minutes later, Muhlenberg’s Palladino connected with Nick Lamb for a 10-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 30-27.
Delaware Valley was able to shut down the Mules the rest of the way for a 30-27 victory.
The Aggies’ junior linebacker Nicholas DiGati was named the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) finishing the game with 11 tackles (eight solo), a sack and a fumble recovery.
(Photo Credit: Muhlenberg Athletics)
The two conferences will continue to support the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) partnership with Special Olympics by donating 25 percent of ticket revenue generated during the Bowl Series to the organization. Giving back to local and regional communities not only adds to the comprehensive learning component of Division III, but also provides a venue for passion and service.