FB: Colonels grind out double overtime victory at Lycoming
Senior captain Bud Moyer (right) assists on a tackle in the Colonels’ home opener against Lebanon Valley on Sept. 14.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — There seems to be something different about the Colonels this year. Almost two years after they went 0-10, Wilkes’ approach has changed, and it showed Saturday when they improved to 3-0 with a 24-17 double-overtime win against Lycoming.
The entire vibe around the team has shifted, and the team has started playing with a chip on their shoulders.
Wilkes carried a 10-0 lead into halftime. Lycoming came out to start the second half with 10 points, thanks to a long drive that resulted in a field goal and a fumble on the ensuing kick-off, giving the Warriors the ball in the red zone. Not long after the fumble, Wilkes’ two-score halftime lead was gone before senior quarterback Jose Tabora and the offense could even take the field.
With the game tied at 10-10 and the momentum clearly in favor of the Warriors, Wilkes did something that the team from two years ago couldn’t. They answered.
The Colonels’ offense gave the defense a much-needed break with a seven-minute and 54-second long drive which ended with a Kamaal Reed touchdown.
Instead of being down on themselves, the Colonels fought and powered their way through a team that boasted an experienced defense.
Tabora continued to shine for Wilkes, running the offense and throwing for 332 yards on 24 completions in 37 attempts. He also gained 48 yards on the ground.
Wilkes’ defense held firm for most of the game and continued to prevent teams from running the ball. Wilkes ranks second in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) in rushing yards allowed per game at 56.3 yards.
Senior linebackers Bud Moyer and Gabe Allgyer have been key components in the defense’s success this season, both recording 26 total tackles — good enough for fourth in the MAC.
The duo also made plays in the passing game Saturday, as Moyer intercepted two Lycoming passes, including one in the second overtime that clinched the Colonels’ victory. Allgyer also had a huge interception, his coming in the first overtime to allow Wilkes’ offense to win with any points.
The Colonels head into their bye week undefeated and play Alvernia on homecoming weekend the following week.
Kirsten Peters is a senior communication studies major with concentrations in multimedia journalism, broadcast production and strategic communication,...