WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 17, 2022) -- In their first home contest of the 2022 season and on Homecoming 2022 weekend, the King's College football team lost a battle on the turf with #15 Delaware Valley University, 26-6, in McCarthy Stadium. The game also served as their MAC opener, as King's falls to 1-1 and 0-1 in conference play, while the Aggies improve to 3-0 with a 1-0 conference mark.
 
The Monarchs defense was solid from the start, forcing the Aggies to consecutive three-and-outs on their first two drives, as the teams finished the opening quarter in a scoreless tie with Delaware Valley (3-0, 1-0 MAC) driving to start the second.
 
Delaware Valley completed a 15-play, 85-yard drive that spanned 7:09 of the game clock to put the first points on the board as Louie Barrios IV ran the ball in from four yards out, and Nick Choi tacked on the extra point to see the Aggies hold a 7-0 advantage with 13:35 to play in the half.
 
King's (1-1, 0-1 MAC) had an answer on their ensuing drive, piecing together a 14-play, 50-yard series behind an 11-yard reception from EJ Schreiner and a 16-yard gain from Joe Herman as Kyle Prescavage came on to connect from 42-yards out and pull King's within 7-3 with 8:24 remaining before the break.
 
Each team traded empty possessions on their next drives before the Aggies added to their lead, taking 4:03 off the clock with eight plays on a 68-yard drive as Jay White rushed for a yard to score the touchdown. The extra-point attempt failed on a fumbled snap and a great defensive play by the Monarchs with King's trailing, 13-3. Each team had one final drive in the half, but neither were able to string together a sound possession as the Monarchs entered the locker room trailing 13-3.
 
Despite a strong drive to start the half, the King's offense failed to convert, and after back-to-back empty trips from both sides, the Aggies added to their lead with a nine-yard rushing touchdown from Luan Avdijaj to cap off an eight-play, 70-yard drive as the visitors pushed their advantage to 20-3.
 
King's started the final quarter of their home opener driving, but a fumbled snap on a quick attempt on 4th and 1 saw the Aggies defense pick up the ball and return it for a touchdown, holding a 26-3 lead with 12:09 to go in the contest.
 
The Monarchs tacked on three more points thanks to a 41-yard field goal from Kyle Prescavage, closing within 26-6, but the action down the stretch would see the Aggies with the ball to run out the clock and hand the Monarchs the 26-6 loss in McCarthy Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Tyler Moore completed 15 passes for 107 yards in the contest, connecting with Tyler Carey for 43 yards on five receptions and Herman on five catches for 41 yards. Victor Taylor led the Monarchs run game with 25 yards on 11 carries, while Shemar Ellis added 20 yards on seven attempts. On special teams, Prato was sound again in the punt game, delivering 200 yards on seven attempts including two inside the 20-yard line, while Michael DiGregorio posted 49 return yards on kick offs. In addition to his two 40-plus yard field goals, Prescavage added 185 yards at an average of 61.7 yards per attempt in the kick-off game.

King's defense was led by a double-digit tackle day from Dylan White who posted 10 tackles, while Alex Tristan added nine of his own with a pass break up. Six different Monarchs recorded a tackle for loss, led by a 10-yard sack from Trevor Gleason. Mike Karycinski forced a great fumble early in the fourth which was recovered by Dallas Solomon.
 
The Aggies were led by Louie Barrios IV who went 11-for-14 for 105 yards, connecting with Tahmir Barksdale seven times for 66 yards. Jay White led the Aggies rushers with 81 total yards and a touchdown, while Nahsir Morgan recorded 49 kick-off return yards. Delaware Valley's defensive efforts were led by Ahmad Jones with 11 tackles, with four different Aggies posted six tackles in the win. Yusuf Aladinov was strong up front for Delaware Valley, totaling 3.5 tackles for a loss of nine yards, including 2.0 sacks for a loss of eight.
 
As a team, the Monarchs posted 146 yards of total offense on 61 plays. King's was strong on fourth down, converting on three-of-four attempts.
 
King's will go back on the road next Saturday, traveling to FDU-Florham in Madison, NJ for a noon kick off in the MAC contest.