ANNVILLE, Pa. –The Lebanon Valley College football team battled tough on Saturday afternoon, taking a 17-3 halftime lead and battling until the final minutes before Delaware Valley escaped Arnold Field with an 18-17 victory in the Flying Dutchmen's home opener and first Middle Atlantic Conference game of the season.
After a defensive stand on Delaware Valley's opening drive that included a blocked 30-yard field goal by
Sheadan Makosy, the Dutchmen settled into a physical battle through much of the first quarter. LVC's defense repeatedly came up with key stops, holding the Aggies scoreless despite multiple trips into Dutchmen territory. The Aggies finally broke through with a 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter to take a 3-0 lead.
The Dutchmen responded in a big way, as midway through the second quarter
J.D. McCallion intercepted a pass and returned it 18 yards to the Delaware Valley 29-yard line. LVC capitalized on the opportunity, marching inside the red zone before
Owen Strouse connected with
Makih Cooper for an 18-yard touchdown pass to put LVC ahead 7-3 with 5:56 remaining in the half.
Moments later, the special teams unit delivered another game-changing play as
Brendan Ryan blocked a Delaware Valley punt deep in Aggie territory, setting up the Dutchmen at the DVU 10-yard line.
Connor Hazel converted a 29-yard field goal after an offsides penalty kept the drive alive, pushing the lead to 10-3. The biggest play of the day followed shortly after with 1:42 left in the half as
Brandon Choi collected a dropped pass before it hit the ground and raced 37 yards for a pick-six, sending the Arnold Field crowd into a frenzy. Hazel's extra point extended the advantage to 17-3 heading into the locker room.
Lebanon Valley's defense continued to battle in the second half as Delaware Valley worked back into the contest. The Aggies cut the deficit to 17-9 late in the third quarter after a lengthy 13-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a rushing touchdown. Momentum shifted again early in the fourth quarter when Delaware Valley added a 22-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game at 17-12.
The Dutchmen responded with one of their best drives of the second half. Strouse used his legs to lead LVC across midfield, including runs of 12, six, and five yards. Faced with a fourth-and-one at the Delaware Valley 47-yard line, the Aggies came up with a stop to regain possession.
The Lebanon Valley defense nearly delivered another stand. After forcing Delaware Valley into a fourth-and-16 from the LVC 16-yard line, the Aggies converted on a touchdown pass with 4:48 remaining to take their first lead of the afternoon, 18-17. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, keeping the game within a single point.
The Dutchmen continued fighting until the final whistle. With under two minutes remaining, LVC earned a crucial pass interference penalty to keep its final drive alive. Unfortunately, Delaware Valley came away with an interception in Aggie territory to seal the outcome.
Inside the Box
- Choi finished with a team-high 13 tackles (8 solo), a 37-yard interception return touchdown, and a quarterback hurry.
- McCallion Stuffed the stat sheet with 11 total tackles (7 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, and an interception return of 18 yards that set up LVC's first touchdown.
- Strouse accounted for LVC's offensive touchdown, completing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Makih Cooper, while adding a team-high 36 rushing yards on eight carries and converting several key first downs.
- Cooper hauled in the Dutchmen's lone offensive touchdown, scoring on an 18-yard reception in the second quarter. He also contributed on special teams with a kickoff return for 14 yards.
- Trey Freeman led the receivers with two catches for 19 yards and averaged 16.5 yards per kickoff return, including a long return of 19 yards.
- Brendan Ryan delivered one of the game's biggest momentum swings with a blocked punt that gave the Dutchmen possession at the Delaware Valley 10-yard line and eventually led to a field goal.
- Makosy sparked the defense early with a blocked field goal on Delaware Valley's opening drive, preserving a scoreless game and setting the tone for LVC's strong first half.
- Connor Hazel was perfect on his kicking opportunities, converting a 29-yard field goal and both extra-point attempts for five points.
- Landen Baughman added eight tackles, and a pass breakup.
- Kaies Handy registered five tackles, including 1.0 tackle for loss and 0.5 sack.
- Jake Musselman averaged 48.0 yards per punt on three attempts, including a booming 62-yard punt that flipped field position.
Up Next
The Dutchmen will begin a two-game road swing next Saturday, September 19, as they head to Radnor to face defending MAC Champion Eastern University. The Dutchmen were the only team in the conference to defeat the Eagles last year.
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