The Dickinson football team celebrated Homecoming weekend in style on Saturday, Sept 28 when they handily defeated Moravian College 31-7 in front of a crowd of almost 5,000. With the win, the Red Devils improve to 2-2 on the season and 2-1 in the Centennial Conference.

The Red Devils’ offense exploded for its best game of the season, tallying 493 total yards of offense. Running back Shawn Wilson ’16 had a career day, rushing for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson was named the Centennial Conference offensive player of the week as he averaged 9.6 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Quarterback Cole Ahnell ’15 had another solid game as well, throwing for 189 yards and adding 50 yards rushing of his own. Dickinson’s defense was relentless all game long, recording six interceptions and a touchdown on a blocked punt.

The Red Devils received the opening kickoff and wasted no time getting on the board. With the ball on the Moravian 35 yard line, the Red Devils went for it on fourth and three and converted on a four yard run by Wilson. He then capped the 70-yard opening drive with his first touchdown, this one from 11 yards out.

Moravian struck right back with a score of their own. Moravian quarterback Robbie Moyer threw a short pass that went for 62-yards and a touchdown.

With the score still tied 7-7 midway through the second quarter, safety Jack Margavitch ’16 picked off a Moravian pass on a third down and long, giving the Red Devils great field position on the Moravian 36 yard line. Three minutes later, tight end Todd Smolinksky ’14 dove into the end zone on a 25-yard catch and run to give the Red Devils the lead for good.

After going three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Moravian punter David Fiumara dropped back to punt, but Anders Overhaug ’16 broke through the line and blocked the kick. Mark Manganaro ’16 picked it up and ran 18 yards into the end zone to put the Red Devils up 21-7. Overhaug blocked a punt last season as well. “It was a great team win. Offense, defense, and special teams all made huge plays,” said Overhaug. “The blocked punt was crucial and demoralizing to Moravian. After that play we took complete control of the game.”

Leading by 14 at halftime, the Dickinson defense forced another Moravian punt right away in the third. On the ensuing drive, Wilson, who ran for 58 of the 88 yards on the drive alone, scored his second touchdown of the game on an impressive 41 yard run right through the gut of the Moravian defense. Three plays later, cornerback Mitch Helmandollar ’15 came up with another interception.

The Red Devils’ offense methodically moved down the field, draining over 7 minutes of the clock. With the ball just outside of field goal range, Ahnell kept the drive alive on a fourth and short by rushing for 3 yards. A few plays later, Adam Kaminski ’15 connected on a 38-yard field goal to make the score 31-7.

Michael Miller ’14 and Pat Irwin ’17 came up with back-to-back interceptions to seal the victory in a scoreless fourth quarter.

Miller and Jake Myers ’16 finished with a game-high seven tackles each. Myers had an interception as well. Manganaro added six tackles and an interception to his touchdown on the blocked punt.

The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, paving the way for 304 total rushing yards while only allowing Ahnell to be sacked once all game. Smolinsky led the receivers with 81 yards, while junior Eric Ondo added 46 yards including a beautiful 39-yard diving catch in the second quarter.

Dickinson has now won two straight after dropping their first two games this season. This Saturday, Oct. 5, the Red Devils travel to face rival Franklin & Marshall for the Conestoga-Wagon trophy at 1:30 p.m. The Diplomats are also 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference.