Uniondale, N.Y. – The Molloy sprint football team erupted for 28 points in the second quarter Friday evening, powering the Lions to a 42-20 victory over the Saints of D'Youville at Mitchel Field. Molloy improves to 1-4 on the season, while D'Youville moves to 0-5.
How It Happened
- Molloy took the opening possession down the field in 13 plays, chewing up 8:16 of game time, but a fourth-down stop by D'Youville stalled the drive.
- The Saints wasted no time capitalizing on the turnover on downs, as Cooper Bange connected with Jameer Walters for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
- The teams traded three-and-outs, giving the Lions the ball back with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.
- Molloy began its next drive in plus territory, reaching the D'Youville 11-yard line as the second quarter began. On second-and-eight, sophomore Anthony Caliendo connected with graduate student Peter von Schoenermarck in the corner of the end zone to even the score at 7-7.
- The Lions' defense quickly got the ball back for the offense, forcing a Saints punt after a five-play drive that lasted 1:30.
- Caliendo and von Schoenermarck connected again, this time on a 68-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline, giving Molloy a 14-7 lead with 11:55 remaining in the first half.
- The Lions regained possession in Saints territory after D'Youville fumbled the ensuing kickoff at its own 21-yard line.
- Molloy capitalized on the first play of the drive, as a reverse resulted in a 21-yard touchdown run by freshman CJ Mascia, extending the lead to 21-7.
- The defense forced another three-and-out, giving the Lions possession at their own 38-yard line with 9:19 remaining in the second quarter.
- Molloy drove into the red zone in nine plays, but an interception on fourth down gave the Saints possession.
- D'Youville needed just three plays to find the end zone, as Evan Blye connected with Jayvon Johnson for a 76-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 21-14 with 3:08 remaining.
- The Lions responded with an eight-play, 55-yard drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from von Schoenermarck to regain their 14-point advantage, 28-14, heading into halftime.
- D'Youville controlled the opening possession of the third quarter, but sophomore Chaz Kitsakos halted the drive by intercepting Blye.
- Molloy was unable to capitalize on the turnover, and the Saints later turned the ball over on downs with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter.
- The Lions struck quickly on their next possession. Sophomore Jalen Gordon opened the drive with a 32-yard rush into D'Youville territory before Caliendo connected with von Schoenermarck for their third touchdown of the night, a 45-yard pass that extended the lead to 35-14.
- D'Youville answered on the ensuing kickoff, as Johnson returned it 93 yards for a touchdown. Following a missed extra point, Molloy maintained a 35-20 advantage.
- Both defenses held firm through the first half of the fourth quarter, keeping the score unchanged.
- With 8:32 remaining, Molloy took possession at its own 45-yard line. Gordon found the end zone on the first play of the drive, breaking free for a 55-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 42-20 and seal the victory.
Top Performances
- Von Schoenermarck recorded a career-high four total touchdowns, including three receiving scores and one rushing touchdown, while setting a career high with 147 receiving yards.
- Gordon rushed for a career-high 218 yards on 19 carries and scored one touchdown, averaging 11.5 yards per carry.
- Caliendo threw for a career-high 205 yards and three touchdowns while completing 66 percent of his passes.
- Mascia recorded the first touchdown of his career.
- Kitsakos recorded his first interception of the season.
- The Lions totaled three sacks, with one apiece from senior Thomas Everding, junior Marquis Dixon, and sophomore Shea Mullarkey.
Program Records
- Molloy's 42 points established a new program record, surpassing the previous high of 24 points against St. Thomas Aquinas earlier this season.
- The Lions amassed 516 yards of total offense, including a program-record 325 rushing yards.
- Gordon's 218 rushing yards set a new program single-game record.
- Von Schoenermarck's four total touchdowns and 147 receiving yards established new program single-game records.
Up Next
Molloy will travel to Ithaca, N.Y., to take on Cornell on Friday, October 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
