Owing Mills, MD (November 2)-  The FDU-Florham Football Team (6-2, 5-2 MAC) traveled to Stevenson (4-4, 4-3)  in search of their first win of the series between the Devils and Mustangs, and will complete the trip with their first series win with a score of 34-19.


The Devils were led by Ryon Thomas (Mattapoisett, Mass.) who collected four touchdowns through the air on 28 of 39 passes, for a total of 282 yards. The senior also saw one rushing touchdown in the box score with 95 yards on 10 carries. Kwanir Edwards (Trenton, NJ) was not able to contribute to the score with a touchdown, but he did move the chains as he picked up 107 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Thomas had multiple options down the field as three different receivers recorded at least six points. Both Alexander Galarza (Holmdel, NJ) and Adrian Reese (Indianapolis, Ind) notched one touchdown, but Anthony Bilotta (Cedar Grove, NJ) collected two for the game along with 36 total receiving yards.

Stopping the Mustangs in their tracks was Christian Puntolillo (Wayne, NJ) as he accounted for five solo tackles, which helped push him over the mark of 100 career solo tackles. Also with five solo tackles on the day was Anthony Cuzzocrea (Staten Island, NY) who also accounted for a sack for a loss of seven yards. Matt Heineman (Staten Island, NY) totaled two sacks in a win as well.


Throughout most of the first quarter, both teams remained scoreless until FDU-Florham received the ball on its second drive and was able to move the chains little by little to set up a 1st and 10 on the STE 12. A short pass to the left from Thomas to Bilotta marked the first points of the game, with the extra point.
 
Stevenson was still scoreless for its next drive, as so was the Devils who were forced to punt after not being able to convert on the first four downs. The Mustangs received the punt at their own 29 and made their way to their own 44 before the quarter expired.
 
The Mustangs were able to produce a positive showing carrying their momentum into the beginning of the second quarter as they captured their first six points, but were able to make it seven with the kick being blocked and recovered by Ginika Ozurumba (Union, NJ), 7-6.
 
The Devils found themselves at the FDU 25 after a touchback but quickly moved to the STE 32 after a 33-yard carry from Edwards. The Devils kept moving forward and eventually found their second passing touchdown of the game with Galarza ready in the end zone. The extra point unfortunately failed keeping the scoreboard at 13-6.
 
Stevenson was able to tie the game with a passing touchdown and a completed extra point. The Mustangs lined up the ball for another kick-off but were able to complete their plan with a recovered onside kick, allowing them to set up shop at the FDU 22. The remained of the drive resulted in failure as they punted to the Devils.  
 
With the two-minute warming to come, had to make forward progress fast at their own 1-yard line and did so in a timely manner to retake the lead heading into halftime, 20-13.
 
FDU-Florham started the second half kicking off to Stevenson and eventually containing them to their own 26-yard line. After being forced to punt, FDU started their drive at the 34 and quickly made a statement with a 58-yard rushing touchdown from the Devils quarterback, Thomas.
 
With a comfortable lead still in hand, 27-13, FDU gave the ball back to Stevenson who unfortunately tightened that lead with a 43-yard field goal for three points. Starting at their own 14, the Devils worked the clock down to the final minute of the quarter by using the time to their advantage and eventually ending the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Reese and a completed extra point by Chris Maida (Red Bank, NJ).
 
Stevenson received the ball back with 1:12 to go on the clock and made their way from the STE 27 to the STE 40. Taking that same drive into the fourth quarter was unsuccessful as they punted back to the Devils.
 
Multiple drives were taken by both teams in the final quarter of the game, but could not convert for points, resulting in FDU winning their first game against Stevenson with a 34-19 final score.

With all road games complete for the FDU-Florham this season, the Devils will look to the next two weekends of home contests. The first occurring on Saturday, November 9 against Widener. Kick-off is set for noon with the game being accounted for in MAC play.

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