Football moves to 2-0 after 43-37 win at Alfred

Box Score ALFRED, New York - The Mount St. Joseph University football team headed north to Alfred University riding high after their upset victory in week one. The Lions went into their longest road trip of the season looking to move to 2-0 for the first time since 2011. They did exactly that in a game that was another hard fought close contest, taking down the Saxons of Alfred 43-37 behind an outstanding performance by Josh Taylor.

In a suprising move Alfred won the opening coin flip and decide to take the ball to begin action. They quickly showed why as they marched 62 yards on 13 plays to set up the games first pivotal play. On third down and four from the Mount's seven yard line, they attempted a pass into the endzone that was intercepted by Austin Price. It was the second interception of the season for Price, both coming in his own endzone taking scoring opportunities away from the opponent. The Lions quickly gave the ball back to the Saxons though as Taylor threw a pick on the team's second play. Taylor to his credit did make the tackle at the 1-yard line stopping to prevent a pick-six.

That did not matter much though as the Saxons took the ball into the endzone on the very next play. Then on the ensuing PAT try the Lions created another big play, as Devon Donawerth blocked the attempt and Price picked it up and raced the other way for the 2-point conversion, making the score 6-2. The Lions would answer offensively going on a 8-play 65 yard drive, with the touchdown coming on a two-yard pass from Taylor to Cooper Jones. For Jones, a sophomore it was his first touchdown in a Lions uniform. 

With the score 9-6 in favor of the Lions, the Saxons would take the lead back on the very next play from scrimmage. Connecting on 69-yard touchdown pass to push back ahead 13-9.On the next drive the Lions would hit on their own long touchdown pass, with Taylor finding Joey Newton on the sideline who raced into the endzone from 39 yards out. 

After forcing the first punt of the game on the Saxons next possession the hot start for Taylor continued, taking the team 83 yards in 10 plays for another score. This time Taylor found Cornell Beachem Jr. for his first touchdown of the season. Alfred would not go away though, scoring a touchdown on their next possession to crawl back to within 3 at 23-20.

The Lions continued their offensive onslaught on the next drive with Taylor connecting on his fourth touchdown pass of the half. Again it was a long one, this time he found Cam York for 46 yards and the score. Alfred would add a late field goal, so at the halftime break the Lions led 30-23.

After the intermission it looked to be much more of the same as the Lions received the kickoff to begin the third, and quickly moved into scoring range. It took just three plays, two of which were long catches by Newton. Catching passes of 19 and 33 yards on the drive, the 33 yarder went for the touchdown. 

On the next Alfred possession the Lions defense stood tall, forcing a turnover on downs. A pair of pass breakups for DeShawn Starks highlighted the defensive possession. The Lions then took advantage of the short field, quickly moving into scoring range. Their drive would stall out but Kyle Farsing converted a field goal attempt from 34 yards out to push the score to 40-23 in favor of The Mount. 

Alfred would not go quietly into oblivion though, as they climbed back to within three points early in the fourth quarter. The final score of the game came with 12:39 on the clock as again it was Farfsing connecting on the field goal, this time from 37 yards out. 

Despite allowing Alfred to have some success offensively the Lions defense stood tall in the end. Keeping the Saxons off the scoreboard over the final 14:21 of action, forcing a punt and a turnover on downs. In the end for the second week in a row it was the Lions with the ball at the end and a victory formation as the call, final score 43-37 in favor of the Lions. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
OFFENSIVE:
Josh Taylor | 21-30 passing, 305 yards and 5 touchdowns
Joey Newton | 5 catches, 117 yards and 2 touchdowns
Cornell Beachem Jr. | 11 rushes, 103 yards, 4 catches, 37 yards, 1 touchdown
Cam York | 3 catches, 84 yards, 1 touchdowns

DEFENSIVE
Nate Owens | Team leading 9 total tackles
Austin Price | 8 total tackles, 1 int, .5 TFLs, 2-point PAT return
Anthony Wright | 8 total tackles, 2 TFLs
DeShawn Starks | 5 total tackles, 3 pass breakups

UP NEXT | 
The Lions (2-0, 0-0 HCAC) will return to Schueler Field next Saturday, welcoming the MIAA preseason favorite Hope College (2-0. 0-0 MIAA) to Cincinnati for the MIAA-HCAC Crossover event. This will be another tough test for the Lions against a top-team from an extremely tough conference. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 PM.