Lebanon Valley 28, Albright 25

LVC Offensive Starters
Sterner QB, Irving RB, Lysczek FB, Gaval WR, Saylor WR, Berberick TE, Kingshill LT, Stover LG, Weller C, Sorbin RG, Van Horn RT

LVC Defensive Starters
Maguire DE, Johnson DT, Donlan DT, Zimmerman DE, Garner OLB, Trujillo ILB, Gallagher OLB, Moser CB, Yetter FS, Murray SS, Gilger CB

Albright Offensive Starters
Vignola QB, Monroe RB, Jackson WR, Williams WR, Dickerson WR, Richter TE, Wickkiser LG, Cessna C, Cassano RG, Davis RT

Albright Defensive Starters
Baylor DE, Sanchez DT, Williams DT, Kuhn DE, Boehler OLB, Mason MLB, Brown OLB, Patterson CB, Thomas FS, Harrison SS, Isaac CB

How It Happened
And that's why they call it The Rivalry.

When it comes to Lebanon Valley vs. Albright, you can throw out the records, the postseason implications, and the predictions. When the longtime rivals take the field, it's simply about football.

Such was the case in the 96th meeting of the two programs that saw LVC stun its longtime rival 28-25 at Arnold Field on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 12. Lebanon Valley took an early lead, the Lions roared back to take the advantage, and the Flying Dutchmen answered with a clutch game-winning drive that preceded Anthony Jenkins' block of Albright's game-tying field goal attempt as time expired.

A rabid frenzy was set off following what will surely go down in LVC lore as "the block" as students stormed the field to celebrate with players, coaches, and alumni before the celebration culminated with a Gatorade bath for first-year head coach Joe Buehler '89.

Kicker Kevin Goetz set up for a potential game-tying, 39-yard field goal with four seconds left to play. After Buehler burned a timeout to ice the Lions' special teams unit, Jenkins burst through the middle of the line and stuffed Goetz's kick to preserve the heart-stopping victory.

Trailing 25-21 with 4:25 remaining, the Dutchmen (4-6, 4-5 MAC) marched 75 yards during a statement-making final drive that saw quarterback Tyler Sterner complete four passes for 36 yards and rush for 11 more before Tim Pirrone's three-yard quarterback sneak reclaimed the lead for LVC with 1:02 left to play. The possession chewed up more than three minutes of clock in crunch time.

Tommy Garner and Austin Maguire made huge defensive plays in the fourth quarter as each player forced a fumble to stop Albright drives. Ryan Johnson recovered the fumble caused by Garner with 11:31 remaining after Wyett McLeod jumped on the loose ball forced by Maguire just 37 seconds into the final period.

The Lions (7-3, 7-2 MAC) erased a 21-10 halftime deficit by scoring touchdowns on each of their first two second-half possessions. A three-yard halfback pass from Brian Wickkiser to Malik Jackson put Albright ahead 25-21 at the 5:41 mark after the visitors capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive with Roemello Monroe's seven-yard touchdown run off left end, followed by a two-point conversion, 4:30 into the third quarter.

The Dutchmen scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to erase an early seven-point deficit. The equalizer came following a Spencer Moser punt that was muffed by Kyle Dickerson and recovered by Tyler Hodges at the Albright 10-yard line. Pirrone hooked up with tight end Trey Manning on the next play to even the score.

Alex Trujillo picked off quarterback Alec Vignola on the Lions' ensuing possession, setting up the offense in Albright territory for the second time in as many chances. Facing a 2nd and 10, Sterner found Michael Gaval, his favorite target, for a 26-yard pitch and catch that put LVC out in front for the first time with 9:26 remaining in the second quarter.

A Jermaine McQueen sack of Vignola forced the Lions to punt on their next drive and the Dutchmen put together their most impressive march of the season; a commanding 16-play, 68-yard drive that ended when Sterner rushed for a three-yard touchdown that made it 21-7 after the drive ate up more than six minutes of clock.

The Lions were aided by a personal foul penalty and converted a 32-yard field goal as the first half ran out. Albright got on the board first when the offense marched 68 yards in seven plays on its opening possession, capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Vignola to Dickerson at the 10:08 mark of the first quarter.

Let's March
As is tradition, the LVC student body will march up the hill to Kreiderheim, the home of President Lewis Thayne, and request the day before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23) off from school. That day is scheduled to be a half-day of classes. It's been five years since an orderly mob of Dutchmen, led by the football team and Annville police and fire personnel, marched from Arnold Field up the hill to Kreiderheim, where they were granted the day off by president emeritus Stephen MacDonald following LVC's last win over the Lions. That all changes tomorrow afternoon. The march is set to begin at 4 p.m.

Special Teams, Special Performance
It was a memorable afternoon for Tyler Hodges. The special teams' ace proved his worth in spades in the win over Albright, making two tackles on kick coverage, recovering a fumble on a muffed punt that set up LVC's first touchdown, and helping seal the thrilling victory by rushing through the Lions' line when Anthony Jenkins blocked the game-tying field goal attempt as time expired.

Senior Day
Prior to Saturday's contest, LVC honored its 16-member senior class. The group won 20 games, including the 2013 MAC Championship, making the program's first NCAA Tournament berth that fall.

Inside the Numbers
- The win was LVC's first over Albright since the 2011 season.
- By knocking off the Lions, the Dutchmen prevented Albright from earning a share of the 2016 MAC Championship.
- Tyler Sterner's steadying presence at quarterback was evident in his performance. The quarterback finished the game 13-26 for 173 yards and a touchdown. He also added a rushing score.
- Evan Lysczek provided a nice change of pace at fullback, running six times for 37 yards to total a 6.2 yards-per-carry average.
- Michael Gaval's recent onslaught continued as he caught four balls for 62 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown reception.
- Travis Saylor added three catches for 24 yards, Patrick Clark made a couple of tough catches, and Tim Pirrone showcased his versatility by catching a pair of passes for 32 yards. He also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Trey Manning.
- Alex Trujillo made a team-high seven stops for the Dutchmen. He also came down with his third interception of the season.
- Mike Gilger had a team-best two pass breakups, while Tommy Garner, Austin Maguire, and Guy Zimmerman each forced a fumble. Zimmerman added a pair of quarterback hurries.
- Zimmerman, Maguire, and Jermaine McQueen sacked Alec Vignola once each on Saturday.
- Vignola finished the game 20-32 for 213 yards and a touchdown.
- Roemello Monroe rushed 15 times for 67 yards and one score.
- Vinny Williams made six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown for the Lions.
- Albright's Nico Williams was stout on defense, recording a game-high three sacks.
- LVC ends the 2016 season riding a three-game win streak.

Who's Next?
LVC's season is now complete after one of the program's most thrilling victories in recent memory.