Football Drops Tough Matchup Against Lycoming 27-21

MADISON, N.J. (September 22, 2018) - The FDU-Florham football team suffered its first defeat of the season, falling to Lycoming College 27-21 Saturday. The Devils fall to 3-1, and 1-1 in the Middle Atlantic Conference, while Lycoming moves to 3-1, 2-0 in the conference. Both teams went three and out on their first possessions, but the Warriors got on the board with 11:30 left in the first. Elijah Shemory hit Christoff Minott down the sideline for a 66 yard score, putting the visitors up 7-0. The Devils turned the ball over on their next two tries with the ball, but FDU got a turnover of their own to set up a scoring drive. Freshman Matthew Dougherty recorded his first career interception, and six plays later senior Jagger Green found classmate Mike Panzarino for a 15 yard strike. With the score even at seven heading into the second, Lycoming used a little trickery to pull in front by a touchdown. With Minott lined up in the backfield, he rolled out and found Dezmen Johnson to cap off a 10-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. FDU needed one play to level the score again, using their own unconventional play. Panzarino hauled in a screen pass for a loss of five yards, but pitched it back to junior Josh Rainey. Rainey scampered the rest of the way, officially an 80 yard touchdown. The score remained level heading into halftime, but the Warriors once again regained the lead midway through the third. Shemory found Nick Costello for a 16 yard passing score after taking 8:50 off the clock while running 16 plays. The Shemory-Costello connection hooked up for another score, taking advantage of an interception. The Devils did not go away quietly, using another trick play to get within six. Rainey took a pitch in the backfield and hit an open Damarquis Pricefor a 58 yard touchdown. The Devils forced a three and out on the next series, and a Green scramble put the ball at the Lycoming seven yard line. FDU was unable to capitalize, as an incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over on downs. Senior Isaiah Turner had a hand in all three tackles on the final Lycoming possession, giving FDU one more chance to find the endzone. Once again, the Devils marched down the field, getting down to the three yard line. After a penalty pushed them back five yards, Green threw a pair of incompletions, including one on fourth down, to end the Devils comeback hopes. Turner had 16 tackles and three sacks, while senior Ryan Wilson and junior Jose Caceres each tallied eight. Green was 38-of-52 for 377 yards, as Panzarino hauled in 15 catches for 164 yards. Price notched 98 yards receiving, with Rainey pulling in 116. FDU hits the road next Saturday, traveling to take on Albright College at 1 p.m.