Madison, NJ - The Lycoming Warriors got out to a 20-0 lead
over the FDU Devils in the first quarter, and it proved to be
too large a deficit for FDU to overcome.
Lycoming, ranked fourth in the nation according to the American
Football Coaches Association poll, improves to 9-0 and gains an
automatic bid to the NCAA's by winning the MAC. Their win over
FDU today sealed their first place finish in the dual-conference
MAC. FDU finishes the year at 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the MAC Freedom
League. The 5-5 mark is a significant turnaround from last year's
2-8 record, and is the program's best finish since 1994 when the
Devils posted a 5-4 record. Lycoming has not lost a regular season
game in the past four years.
FDU quarterback Phil Revien (Huntington, NY) led the Devils
48 yards downfield to the Lycoming 31- yard line on the game's
opening drive. On second down and 10 to go on the 31, Revien's
pass fluttered out of control as he was struck as he released
the ball. Senior linebacker Jesse Gambone intercepted the pass
at the 25-yard line and ran it all the way back for a touchdown
to put the Warriors ahead.
The Warriors struck again when freshman Bob Miller caught a two-yard
touchdown pass from senior quarterback Ryan Swailes . Junior kicker
John Shaffer made his second extra point of the game and Lycoming
took the lead, 14-0.
Lycoming managed one more score before the first-quarter clock
ran out. With 2:16 left on the clock, Swailes led the Warriors
on a three-play, 69-yard scoring drive that took just 53 seconds.
Lycoming led 20-0 after Shaffer missed the point-after attempt.
FDU held Lycoming to seven points for the next three quarters,
but the Devils just couldn't get the ball into the endzone despite
making three interceptions.
Senior kicker Rich Dwyer (New Providence, NJ) connected
on a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter for FDU's only score.
Revien complete 13 of 39 passes for 138 yards. Junior wide receiver
Mike Quigley (Manalapan, NJ) led the Devils with four receptions
for 46 yards. Freshman tailback Ed Cracchiolo (Marlboro,
NJ) ran for a team-high 73 yards on 18 carries. Senior fullback
J.D. Potynski (Hillsborough, NJ) caught two passes for
22 yards while rushing seven times for 29 yards. Senior wide receiver
Mike Kuziemski (South Amboy, NJ) caught two passes for
21 yards while Junior tight end Keith O'Hara (Hackettstown,
NJ ) made two catches for six yards.
Freshman linebacker Justin Zaleski (Manalapan, NJ) led
the Devils defensively, as he made four solo tackles, three assisted
tackles, a pass-breakup, an interception which he returned for
16 yards. Two of his tackles were for a loss of a yard each. Senior
defensive end Jon Roman (Wayne, NJ) also made seven four
tackles and four assists. Senior defensive tackle Anthony Gagliardo
(East Stroudsburg) made three unassisted tackles, four assists,
two tackles for loss, and one sack. Senior defensive back Dave
Donero (Port Monmouth, NJ) intercepted one pass, broke up
a pass, and made eight tackles. Senior outside linebacker Mike
Ortiz (Weehawkin, NJ) returned an interception for 20 yards
while making seven tackles, two of which were for a loss of three
total yards, as well as a sack.
Swailes threw for 196 yards on 14 of 26 passing, including two
touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. Senior wide receiver
Tim Dumas led Lycoming in receiving with six catches. He gained
75 yards. Junior wide receiver Joe Hanna made four catches for
76 yards. Sophomore running back Tim Deasey ran for 75 yards
on 13 carries while Jason Davis ran for 41 yards on 15 rushes.
The Devils take on Wilkes University this Saturday at 12:00 pm in the ECAC Bowl game. This marks the first reappearance of the Devils in the post season since 1993.