DALLAS, Pa. – The FDU-Florham football team was on the wrong side of history on Saturday, as Misericordia University earned the first home-win in program history, defeating the Devils 35-0 at Mangelsdorf Field.

The Devils (0-2, 0-1 Freedom) surrendered three rushing touchdowns to Misericordia (1-2, 1-1 Freedom) quarterback Jeff Puckett in the loss. Early in the first half, FDU-Florham squandered two prime scoring opportunities that both began in Cougar territory, ultimately turning the ball over on downs each time .

Junior running back Anthony Ognibene (Chester, N.Y./Chester Academy) ran for a career-best 77 yards on 15 carries to pace the Devils backfield. FDU-Florham junior quarterback Tyler Maurer (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) completed 9-of-14 passes for 61 yards before exiting with a first-half injury. Maurer was relieved by fellow junior Dan Pastor (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) who totaled 66 yards on six completions.

FDU-Florham's first possession began at the Misericordia 45-yardline, however, the drive stalled out 20 yards later. After the Devils defense forced a three-and-out, a 35-yard punt return by freshman Malik Pressley (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville) set FDU-Florham up with excellent field position once again. For the second consecutive possession, the Cougars defense buckled down, limiting the Devils to six yards on four plays and another turnover on downs.

Early in the second quarter, Puckett helped orchestrate a 16-play, 97-yard drive, which he capped with a six-yard touchdown run to give the Cougars a 7-0 advantage. Later in the half, Puckett broke loose again, earning gains of 15, 28, and 22 yards on consecutive rushes, the last of which ended in pay dirt.

The Devils final drive of the opening stanza appeared promising before an illegal block penalty erased a 30-yard completion from Pastor and the Cougars entered the break with a 14-0 lead.

FDU-Florham's first drive of the second half moved into Cougar territory thanks to some swift running by Ognibene, however, the Misericordia defense locked down on their own end and turned the Devils away.

On six straight carries, Puckett barreled the home team into the red zone before hiting sophomore wideout Ryan Kurtz with a 17-yard touchdown strike, which increased the lead to three possessions. The junior quarterback's third rushing score went for seven yards late in the third quarter and put the game out of reach.

Defensively, FDU-Florham senior captain Anthony Alecci (Landing, N.J./Roxbury) was all over the field, totaling 11 tackles, while linebackers Rob Savacool (New Vernon, N.J./Madison) and Stephen Bick (Toms River, N.J./Manchester Township) amassed 10 stops apiece in the loss.

Puckett compiled 224 yards on a workmanlike 29 carries and completed 4-of-7 passes for 32 yards and the touchdown.

Pressley hauled in five catches for 34 yards to lead the Devils receiving corps.

Next up for the Devils:
FDU-Florham hosts Widener University next Saturday, September 27^th with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.