Dallas, Pa. (September 21)- In week three and their second Middle Atlantic Conference game of the season The FDU-Florham Football team (3-0, 2-0 MAC) traveled to Misericordia in search of a revenge win as they were handed a loss from the Cougars in their final game of the 2023 season. The Devils were able to repay the deficit with a 35-20 win in their year's match up.   

Offensively, Ryon Thomas (Mattapoisett, Mass.) gave another offensive showing as he was 23 for 26 through the air with 266 yards and 1 touchdown, and also ran in two touchdowns on 7 carries for a total of 17 net yards.  Kwanir Edwards (Trenton, NJ)  posted one touchdown on 13 carries for 66 yards  while Aidan Clowry (Pawling, N.Y.) accounted for the most effective reception effort as he had 1 touchdown for 3 completions with 56 total yards.

Defensively, the Devils were led by Ginika Ozurumba (Union, NJ) who totaled eight tackles including five solo tackles and one sack, as safety Aaron Smith (Naugatuck, Conn) was seen with six total tackles, with four solo tackles.

The Devils received the kick to start the game and found themselves starting on the 25 yard line after a touchback. FDU-Florham was able to collect four first downs, to bring them into the Misericordia redzone. On the Cougar's 9-yard line, the Devils were able to find an opening through the line and were able to collect their first touchdown of the game, as well as the extra point, 7-0.

Misericordia tried to answer back as they attempted to bring the ball to the FDU's side of the field but was stopped short by the Devil Defense which forced the punt back to their special teams receiver with about 6 minutes on the clock.

FDU-Florham was able to pick up multiple first downs during their second drive and was able to move the ball and chains to the MIS 36 before the quarter expired on a 2nd and 6 play. They then proceed to start the next quarter with their second touchdown off a 23-yard connection from Thomas to Clowery.
 
The Cougars were still in the hunt for their first score of the game but were forced to punt back to the Devils after a four-and-out play drive after facing the defense. With the ball back in the hands of the offense, FDU was looking for their third touchdown of the game as they were able to move from the FDU 32 to the MIS 11. Unfortunately, a touchdown celebration was not seen here as they were forced to punt to the Cougars.

With 5:32 remaining in the half, Misericordia found a slight gap in the FDU defense this drive and was able to get the ball to the FDU16 before attempting the field goal on 4th and 8. The kick was good and lit up the Cougars' side of the scoreboard, 14-3, before returning the ball to the Devils.

After a four-and-out drive for FDU, Misericordia started the final drive of the half on FDU's 44 and completed three first downs before equaling a touchdown with a 22-yard field goal, 14-6.
 
Misericordia ended the half with the ball and started the third quarter with it as they received the kick at their own 19. With only a minute of possession time, the Cougars were forced to punt the ball back which gave FDU a great position almost starting at half field. After an 18-yard pass to Anthony Bilotta ( Cedar Grove, NJ), FDU-Florham was able to rush their way to the MIS 1 and pushed Thomas over the goal line for the Devils' third touchdown of the game.

Both teams exchanged the ball as they were forced to punt away, but with 2:20 minutes remaining in the quarter FDU-Florham strung together two plays including a 20-yard catch and run from Edwards and a 31-yard pass to Alexander Galarza (Holmdel, NJ) to help make the short run on the ground to give the 22-point lead, 28-6.

Misericordia was short on their first attempt in the final quarter, but FDU was not as they added another 7 points after a rushing touchdown from Edwards and the extra point coming from Chris Maida (Red Bank, NJ).
 
The Cougars attempted to start their next drive but were stopped when a fumble on the run allowed the Devils to reclaim the ball with 9:20 minutes remaining. An offensive opportunity was not capitalized by FDU as the field goal attempt on 4th and 11 was no good.
 
Misericordia was able to score twice more in the game after a 1-yard rush for the score and a 29-yard touchdown pass but was still far from defeating the Devils as time expired and the Cougars lost by a 35-20 overall score.


FDU-Florham will return to Madison for its next Middle Atlantic Contest on Saturday, September 21 when they host Lebanon Valley for a 12:00 PM kick-off and their homecoming celebration.