DOYLESTOWN, PA - Delaware Valley College outscored Rowan University 35-7 for a 35-27 win in the season opener for both teams. Rowan led 20-0 at the half and 27-7 after three, but could not stop Delaware Valley in the fourth quarter.

Rowan quarterback Paul Hamersma (so., Tenafly, NJ/Tenafly) was 25 of 41 for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Ed Eisenhart (jr., Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.) caught nine balls for 101 yards and a touchdown, while running back Withler Marcelin (so., Ocean Twp., NJ/Ocean Twp.) ran the ball 20 times for 89 yards and a touchdown. Defensive End Josh Popper (jr., Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Holy Spirit), defensive end Chris Alvarez (jr., Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) and outside linebacker Dominic Caruso (sr., Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) led the Prof defense with eight tackles each.

Delaware Valley quarterback Aaron Wilmer (jr., Phiadelphia, PA/George Washington) went 19 of 30 with two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 15 times for 44 yards and a touchdown. Darren Parrott (sr., East Orange, NJ/West Windsor Plainsboro North) ran 16 times for 59 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Rasheed Bailey (jr., Philadelphia, PA/Roxborough) made seven catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Rowan won the toss and got the ball to start the game. The Profs went 75 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a one yard run by Marcelin for a 7-0 lead. That was the only scoring of the first quarter. The big play on the drive was a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Delaware Valley that led to a first down inside the 15 yard line for Rowan.

The first 13-plus minutes of the second quarter went scoreless, but with 1:22 to play, Hamersma found Eisenhart for a 38-yard touchdown pass and a 14-0 lead. The drive was nine plays and 90 yards. Wideout Russ Forchion (so., Clementon, NJ/Hammonton) had a big 26-yard catch that turned a third and long into a first down during the drive.

With 34-seconds to go in the second quarter, defensive back and co-captain Mike Ruopli (sr., Jameburg, NJ/Monroe Twp.) intercepted a pass from Wilmer to give Rowan the ball on the Aggies five-yard line. On first down, Hamersma found wide receiver Todd Guillaume (so., Irvington, NJ/Immaculate Conception) for a five-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good and Rowan led 20-0 with 30-seconds on the clock in the first half. On the first play following the kick-off, Anthony Verrilli (jr., Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) recovered a fumble inside the Delware Valley 40-yard line. The Profs attempted a 45-yard field goal which was blocked, but went into the break with a 20-0 halftime lead.

Hamersma was 18 of 24 for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Marcelin had 13 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown, while Eisenhart had five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. Alvarez and Caruso each had five tackles to lead the Prof defense. Wilmer was 9 of 14 for 79 yards and a pick for Delaware Valley. He also ran the ball seven times for 21 yards.

With 6:07 to play in the third quarter, the Aggies got on the board after a three-yard touchdown run by Parrott. Running back Michael Weber (jr., East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) put Rowan back up by three scores after a two-yard touchdown run and a 27-7 lead. Running back Chris Smallwood (jr., Philadelphia, PA/Upper Moreland) scored on a two-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 27-13 at the 12:53 mark of the fourth quarter. The Aggies then cut the advantage to six as Rasheed Bailey caught an eight-yard touchdown pass with 8:13 to play, making the score 27-21.

At 4:02 of the fourth, Delaware Valley took the lead as Wilmer found wide receiver Lewis Vincent (sr., Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) for an eight-yard touchdown and a 28-27 Aggie lead. On the ensuing possession Hamersma threw his only pick of the day and the Aggies had the ball at the Prof 15 yard line. On Delaware Valley's second play from scrimmage, Wilmer scored on a 13-yard run to put the Aggies up 35-27. Rowan turned the ball over on downs on its next possession and Delaware Valley ran the clock out for the win.

Rowan will play its home opener at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium next Saturday as they host Framingham State University at 1pm.