WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 27, 2018) – The visiting Cougars of Misericordia University used a pick-six midway through the second quarter as momentum, pulling away from the hosting King's College football team for a 41-23 win over the Monarchs on a cold, rainy afternoon from McCarthy Stadium. The win was the first for the Cougars in the seven-year history between the two teams.

The win was a big one for Misericordia (7-1, 6-0 Middle Atlantic Conference), who stays alive for a regular season title in the MAC with two more conference games to play. King's drops to 4-4 overall, snapping a two-game win streak, while falling to 3-3 in the conference.

Despite the loss, the Monarch offense continued to chew out yards on the ground, as King's rushed for 282 yards Saturday. Junior running back Jordan Downes posted a season-best 173 yards on 34 carries, while quarterback Tommy Klock added 91 on 20 attempts.

Klock finished the game 13-for-26 through the air for 163 yards, but much of his damage came as King's tried to mount a comeback late in the game. He did toss a pair of touchdown passes, connecting with Jayner Gorospe for a 39-yard score while hitting Gabe Boccella for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to make the score 34-23.

After that point, King's recovered the ensuing onside kick, but an offside penalty forced another attempt at the onside kick. The second time King's nearly recovered it for a second time, but the ball went just out of bounds off a Monarch players hands.

Misericordia would need just three plays to get into the end zone, as David Cromwell scampered into the end zone from 17 yards out to make the score 41-23 and ending the King's comeback attempt.

It was the one interception for Klock though that turned the tides for Misericordia, as Garrett Murray read a screen pass to Downes and picked off the pass, scampering 38 yards untouched to the end zone to make the score 13-7. Misericordia scored with 2:58 on a Brady Williams nine-yard touchdown run to make it 20-7, but the game would head to halftime 20-10 after a field goal from Jack Barreras. For the freshman, it was his ninth straight made field goal attempt, as he is now 9-for-10 on the season.

On the first drive of the second half, Misericordia needed three plays to go 63 yards, as Williams connected with Isaiah Williams on a 40-yard touchdown throw to make the score 27-10.

Gorospe led all King's receivers with 51 yards through the air on two catches, while Boccella finished with a King's-best four receptions for 36 yards. Junior Devin Ringler posted two catches for 26 yards as well for King's, which won the yardage battle 445-376.

Defensively, Mando Sallavanti posted 12 total tackles, while Cory Wilson came off the bench to record 11 stops including a team-high seven solo tackles. Izuchukwu Mozie added six tackles, while Jaret Horn finished with five tackles and a pass break-up.

Williams threw for 138 yards on 13-of-17 passing, while adding 79 yards on the ground for the Cougars. Crowell added 75 yards and two touchdowns, while Jamal Dallas racked up 55 on eight carries.

King's will honor its seven seniors next weekend against Delaware Valley University at home November 3 at 1 p.m. in Middle Atlantic Conference action.