MADISON, N.J. – Record-breaking efforts by senior quarterback Tyler Maurer and sophomore wide receiver Malik Pressley thrusted the FDU-Florham football team to a 40-38 victory over Misericordia University at Robert T. Shields Field on Saturday afternoon.

Pressley, who entered the game tied for eighth in the nation with 10 touchdown receptions, broke his own school record by catching five touchdowns in the victory. The sophomore wide out finished with nine catches for 221 yards on the day and now has 15 touchdowns this season, which is an FDU-Florham single-season record.

The reigning MAC Rookie of the Year was aided by the outstanding play of his senior quarterback, who set a record of his own. Maurer tossed six touchdowns on the afternoon, which is also a school record. The fourth-year signal caller completed 32-of-51 passes for 359 yards with those six scores and no interceptions. After just 95 yards passing in the first half, Maurer found his rhythm in the second stanza and helped the Devils race past the Cougars.

With the win, the Devils (3-5, 2-5 MAC) have their most conference wins since 2005 and most total wins since 2008. The victory also snapped a modest two-game skid to the Cougars (0-8, 0-7 MAC).

It was a tale of two halves on Saturday, with defense controlling the tempo in the opening stanza before both teams' offenses took over.

The Devils marched 61 yards on 16 plays on their opening possession before Maurer connected with first-year wide out Javon Hicks on a fourth-down conversion from four-yards out for the game's first score. Hicks' catch resulted in his first collegiate touchdown and a 7-0 Devils lead.

The Cougars immediately answered with a long drive of their own that totaled 10 plays for 67 yards and was capped by quarterback Jeff Puckett's four-yard, play action pass to tight end Thomas Stelzer. Puckett's pass was his first of the drive and was a simple toss and catch with the defense committed to the run.

Ryan Davis' 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave the Cougars a 10-7 edge and concluded the first half scoring.

Both defenses settled in and each team stopped a fourth-down opportunity by the opposition in the quarter. The two offenses combined for 141 yards in the second frame before the second-half scoring barrage took place.

The second half began with a stop for the Devils defense as they stuffed Puckett on a fourth-and-two chance.

Maurer guided the Devils on another 16-play drive that ended with his first touchdown pass to Pressley, a four-yard fade on fourth-and-goal. Following a missed extra point, the Devils led 13-10.

Each team had a quick three-and-out but on the Devils' punt the Cougars return man muffed the catch. Junior tight end Joe LeBlanc alertly pounced on the ball and the Devils took over near midfield.

The Devils took advantage of the miscue by striking on their third play from scrimmage. Maurer threaded the needle between two Cougars defenders and Pressley cut down the left sideline en route to a 31-yard touchdown hookup.

Puckett, who rushed for 148 yards in the contest, displayed his passing prowess in the second half. The senior quarterback connected with his favorite target Juwan Petties-Jackson for a 39-yard touchdown pass that cut the Devils lead to 20-17.

Pressley hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass in the back right corner of the end zone on the Devils next possession, which rebuilt the lead to 10 at 27-17 but Puckett and Petties-Jackson weren't finished. The duo got together for a 56-yard touchdown strike on the Cougars next possession.

The trend continued when on a third-and-9 from their own 49-yard line, Maurer aired it out to Pressley resulting in a 51-yard touchdown and a 34-24 Devils advantage.

A two-yard touchdown plunge by Puckett again cut the deficit to one possession and the Devils took over with 4:55 to go in the game.

Rather than run to milk the clock, the Devils took to the air. Pressley sprinted down the left sideline past Cougars coverage and Maurer hit in him stride for a 64-yard bomb that capped the Devils scoring at 40-31.

In the two-minute drill, Petties-Jackson added to his total and gave the Cougars a last chance by snagging a 46-yard touchdown strike from Puckett. The ensuing onside kick was gobbled up by LeBlanc, who had an exceptional day on special teams for the Devils. LeBlanc's recovery sealed the high-scoring victory.

Petties-Jackson finished with five catches for 165 yards and the three scores, while Puckett completed 14-of-24 attempts for 242 yards and four touchdowns on the afternoon.

Hicks nabbed a career-high eight catches for 59 yards and fellow wide out Esaun Mobley caught a game-high 11 passes for 68 yards for the Devils.

On the defensive side of the ball, John Edwards and Stephen Bick were all over the field for the Devils with 12 and 11 tackles respectively. Junior defensive lineman Wakimba Davenport also did a stellar job with seven tackles and a crucial pass breakup.

The Devils will look to make it two straight victories next week when they travel to Widener University on Saturday, November 7 at 1 p.m.