King’s Spoils FDU-Florham Homecoming, Beats Devils 52-13

If the cold, rainy weather wasn’t enough to spoil FDU’s Homecoming on Saturday, their opponent, King’s College, did their best to add to the misery.  The Monarchs rushed for 397 yards, passed for 165, and picked up 34 first downs in a dominating win over the Devils.  King’s improved to 4-3 overall (4-2 MAC) while FDU dropped to 2-5 (2-4 MAC).

King’s QB Zach Whitehead led his team offensively, completing 13 of 27 passes for 156 yards with two TDs and one INT.  The junior signal caller also rushed 19 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns.  Freshman backfield-mate Alvonte Thompson rushed 30 times for 186 yards and a score.  Defensively, junior LB Bruce Damon had 13 total tackles.

For the Devils, QB Joey McCain, in relief of injured Jagger Green, completed 12 of 30 attempts for 126 yards, with two TDs and one INT.  McCain also ran for 61 yards.  RB Robert Young rushed 17 times for 60 yards. The receiving trio of WR Esaun Mobley, WR Mike Panzarino, and TE John Pellegrini combined for 12 catches, 137 yards, and two TDs.  Defensively, the Devils were once again led by standout DB Troy Scales, who tallied 18 total tackles.

The game began promisingly enough for the Devils, as sophomore DB Liam Casey intercepted a Whitehead pass 2:57 into the game.  A holding penalty immediately stalled the ensuing FDU drive, which resulted in a three-and-out and a punt.  After the Monarchs executed a six play, 57-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to junior WR Marquis Miller, FDU fumbled on its next offensive play, turning the ball back over to King’s.  Four plays later, Whitehead rushed for touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0.

FDU forced another King’s turnover later in the quarter, recovering a fumble on their own 40-yard line. However, another three-and-out resulted in a punt.  King’s would proceed to march 80 yards in 13 plays, ending the drive with another Whitehead rushing touchdown to make the score 21-0. 

King’s did not look back from that point, adding to their lead throughout the quarter and taking a 31-0 advantage into intermission.  The Devils got on the board early in the second half, when McCain hit Pellegrini on a slant pattern for a 51-yard scoring strike.  King’s would build their lead to 52-6 before FDU scored again, when McCain connected with Mobley late in the game for a 9-yard passing touchdown.

The Devils travel to Doylestown, PA on October 28 for a Friday night matchup under the lights at Delaware Valley University (5-2, 4-2 MAC).  Game time is 7 pm.