MADISON, NJ - The FDU-Florham University football team suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of King's College (Pa.) in a rain-soaked affair Saturday afternoon, falling to the Lions 52-13.
FDU-Florham started the game strong as sophomore defensive back Liam Casey intercepted King's junior quarterback Zach Whitehead to give the Devils the ball. The offense was unable to move the chains and was forced to punt after a three-and-out.
King's began to really started to gain yards on their second possession as Whitehead found junior Marquis Miller wide open streaking the left hash, who caught the ball and walked into the end zone for a 30 yard touchdown reception.
Just 3 plays later, FDU-Florham fumbled the ball off a handoff, giving King's the ball deep in Devils territory. The Lions took to the ground and it was Whitehead again scoring, this time on a 5 yard option run, giving King's a 14-0 lead.
FDU-Florham again forced a Lion's turnover on King's next possession, a forced fumble by FDU-Florham senior defensive lineman Bill Medve that was picked up by senior cornerback Jaleel Tyson, but again was unable to get anything offensively.
King's corrected the mistake on the next drive, going 80 yards in twelve plays that again saw Whitehead keep the ball on an option and all but walk into the end zone.
The Lions would convert on two of their last three drives of the half, bringing the score up to 31-0 midway through the contest.
FDU-Florham freshman tight end John Pellegrini would get the Devils on the board shortly after halftime thanks to a 51 yard touchdown pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Joey McCain, who replaced the injured Jagger Green in the first quarter. Pellegrini ran a slant route and avoided a tackler and ran by the rest of the King's secondary for the score.
King's would answer back with two more touchdowns from their quarterback Whitehead, putting the game even further out of reach. The first was a six yard pass to King's senior receiver Mike Palmer, capping an eight play, sixty yard drive while the second was a one yard quarterback sneak finishing a methodical ten play 45 yard drive.
The Lion's last score of the day came from junior running back Avery Simmons, who bounded into the end zone after a fifteen play, 62 yard drive that lasted almost nine minutes. King's would finish with nearly 400 rushing yards.
The Devils would get on the board one last time. After a series of McCain runs, the RS sophomore quarterback threw a 9 yard td pass to senior receiver Esuan Mobley that brought the score to 52-13.
Sophomore linebacker Troy Scales once again led FDU-Florham defensively, racking up 18 tackles, including eight solo tackles.
Joey McCain threw for 126 yards, two touchdowns and an intercept after coming in Jagger Green. He also led the Devils on the ground, rushing six times for 61 yards.
FDU Football will head to Doylestown, Pa., Friday, October 28, to face Delaware Valley University at 7 p.m.
