Box Score
EDWARDSVILLE, PA – Quarterback Mike Orihel rushed for two touchdowns in the final three minutes to lead Rowan University to a 21-14 victory over Wilkes University in the second round of the NCAA Championship Tournament on Saturday.
Rowan (9-2) travels to St. John Fisher College (11-1) for the quarterfinals on Saturday, December 2 at noon. St. John Fisher topped Springfield (MA), 27-21 in the second round. The semifinals will take place on Saturday, December 9. The championship, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, will be played on Saturday, December 16 at Salem Stadium in Salem, VA.
Orihel (sr. Trenton, NJ/Central Bucks W. (PA)) scored the game-winning touchdown on a one yard run with 1:03 remaining. He completed the two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Emory Lester (fr. Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton) to put the Profs ahead 21-14. Rowan started the drive on the Wilkes 22 yard line after linebacker Chris Niszczak (jr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) recovered a fumbled snap. Orihel completed an 11 yard pass to wideout Jim Migliore (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) and superback Davon Edwards (so. Del Haven, NJ/Middle Twp.) had a six yard run to set up the touchdown.
Orihel completed 17 of 31 passes for 214 yards. Edwards finished the game with 19 carries for 52 yards and one touchdown. Migliore made five catches for 93 yards, while wide receiver Will Barnes (so. Bridgeton, NJ/Salem) had six receptions for 55 yards.
Linebacker Andrew Yezzi (fr. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) posted a game-high 10 tackles. Safety Kelvin Bellamy (jr. Trenton, NJ/Nottingham) followed with nine stops. Cornerback Jabrill Joseph (sr. N. Plainfield, NJ/N. Plainfield) added seven tackles and linebacker Chris Pinto (so. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) made five tackles, including one sack (-8 yards).
For Wilkes (11-1), running back Tom Andreopoulos (sr. Lafayette, NJ/Newton) carried the ball 21 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Al Karaffa (jr. Scranton, PA/Scranton) completed 18 of 34 passes for 211 yards. Wide receiver Jim Jordan (sr. Plymouth, PA/Wyoming Valley W.) caught six balls for 92 yards. Wideout Stephon Burgette (sr. Scranton, PA/Scranton) made three grabs for 39 yards.
Linebacker Kyle Follweiler (jr. Slatington, PA/Northern Lehigh) recorded nine tackles. Defensive linemen Anthony Serafin (sr. Middlesex, NJ/Immaculata) and Jason Acquaye (jr. Franklin Park, NJ/Franklin Twp.) made eight and seven stops respectively. Defensive backs Mike Ferriero (sr. Kearny, NJ/Kearny), Corey Gilroy (fr. Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) and John Darrah (sr. Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) had one interception apiece.
In the fourth quarter, Wilkes took a 14-7 lead at 13:52 on a five yard touchdown run by Andreopoulos. The Colonels started with ball on the Rowan 39 yard line. Karaffa completed a 16 yard pass to tight end Matt Pizarro (sr. Easton, PA/Easton) and an 18 yard pass to Burgette to set up the score. With three minutes left to play, Orihel found the end zone on a one yard quarterback sneak. The PAT snap was high and holder Sal Calaciura (jr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) rolled out and completed a pass to defensive end Justin Hinds (so. Port Reading, NJ/Woodbridge), who landed just short of the goal line, making the score 14-13. Orihel ran for 29 yards and completed two passes for 26 yards in the drive.
Wilkes tied the game at 7-7 at 8:06 in the third quarter after a six yard touchdown run by Andreopoulos. Ferriero intercepted a pass giving the Colonels the ball on their own 36 yard line. Karaffa completed a 53 yard pass to Jordan prior to the touchdown. Rowan was ahead 7-0 at halftime. The Profs had a five yard touchdown run by Edwards with 2:30 left in the first quarter. Orihel completed four passes for 39 yards in the 12 play, 59 yard drive.
Rowan won its 16th New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship to earn an automatic bid to the national tournament. It is the Profs’ 13th appearance in the national tournament. Last year, Rowan advanced to the national semifinal game for the second straight season. Wilkes won the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference and received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It marked the Colonels’ third time in the national tournament and second straight trip.
