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| Fr DB Ryan Cocciadiferro (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) picks off a Wilkes pass on their first series. |
EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – A rain-soaked Saturday, Oct. 27, led to a defensive struggle at Schmidt Stadium, as the Lycoming College football team was held to 186 yards of total offense, falling to Wilkes University, 14-7, in Middle Atlantic Conference action.
The Warriors (4-4 overall, 3-3 MAC) were limited by the weather and a Wilkes defense that allowed just 24 rushing yards. Freshman Elijah Shemory (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore Area) finished 13-of-25 for 162 yards and an interception passing. Junior Keith Batkowski (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville Area) rushed 10 times for 29 yards and a score and senior Nick Costello (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) caught three passes for 62 yards. Senior John Kim (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) caught four passes for 39 yards.
Lycoming was able to stay close with Wilkes thanks to a defense that picked off three passes, with freshman Ryan Cocciadiferro (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) leading the team with 10 tackles and a pickoff. Junior Trey Smith (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) added five tackles, 1.5 for loss, and an interception and senior Jarrell Payne (Jersey City, N.J./Liberty) also had an interception. Senior Sam Romanofsky (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) added seven tackles, three for loss and 2.5 sacks and sophomore Matt Stankiewicz (Olyphant, Pa./Mid Valley) posted nine tackles, 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks.
Wilkes (5-4 overall, 4-3 MAC) took the lead in the first quarter, moving 67 yards on 10 plays before Jeff Steeber scored with a catch in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard completion. The Warriors answered back in the second quarter when Payne intercepted a pass at the 35 yard line. After Shemory found Costello for a 16-yard completion and a penalty put the ball inside the 10. Three plays later, Batkowski found the end zone to tie the game.
Wilkes took the lead in the fourth quarter with a 13-play, 72-yard drive, with Jose Tabora finding Nick Yanik over the middle of the end zone for 17 yards to give the Colonels’ the lead. The Warriors got the ball back three times with a chance to tie the game, but Wilkes was able to withstand the late threats each time.
Tabora finished 18-of-32 for 241 yards passing and two touchdowns and he rushed 15 times for 61 yards. Steeber caught four passes for 87 yards and a score and Yanik caught seven passes for 70 yards and a score. Pat Ricci led the Colonels with six tackles, three for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Lycoming will host its home finale on Saturday, Nov. 3, when they host Stevenson in MAC action at 12 p.m. at David Person Field.
