BUENA VISTA, VA - The Rowan University football team edged out Southern Virginia University on Saturday night, winning by a final score of 20-17. The Profs move to 2-0 on the year, where the Knights drop to 0-2. 
 
Both teams battled it out in the first quarter, but it was Rowan who struck first five minutes into the game. After an unsuccessful drive by Southern Virginia, the Brown and Gold drove 80-yards down the field to score the first touchdown. The drive started with an eight-yard run by running back Anthony Diorio (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee), followed by a 31-yard reception by wide receiver Elijah Rehm (jr. Clayton, NJ/Clayton). The Profs continued to efficiently move the ball down the field with another run by Diorio, a 23-yard catch by Rehm and a two-yard run by quarterback Riley Giles (so. Deptford, NJ/Deptford Twp.). The drive was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown carry by running back John Mannion (sr. Verona, NJ/James Caldwell) to take a 6-0 lead. The Knights responded with a late field goal to set the score at 6-3, heading into the next quarter. 
 
Rowan started hot in the second, as Diorio bulldozed his way one yard for another touchdown on a second and goal opportunity, to pull away 13-3. The Profs stumbled as the Knights capitalized two drives later, when quarterback Tate Briggs (so. Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove HS) completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Kevin Adams for a touchdown, to cut the deficit to 13-9. The Brown and Gold continued to fight late in the quarter, as it drove down the field 90-yards for another score to widened the lead, 20-9. Mannion recorded his second TD on the night with a two-yard run and 29 seconds left to go in the half. 
 
It was a defensive battle in the third quarter, as neither team could find the end zone. Cornerback Malachi Winters (so. Hammonton,NJ/Hammonton) caused havoc to Southern Virginia's offense recording two tackles, with one coming on third down to force a punt. During the next Knights' drive, defensive end Kevin Stokes (sr. Mays Landing,NJ/Oakcrest) recorded four straight tackles, then linebacker Kyle Pierce (sr. Lawnside,NJ/Haddon Heights) intercepted Briggs and gave possession back to Rowan. 
 
Rowan was tested midway through the fourth after Southern Virginia scored a touchdown to set the score at 20-17. The Profs attempted to widened its lead but were unsuccessful, giving the Knights one final drive to take the lead. The Brown and Gold's defense stepped up and shut down Southern Virginia on its final drive. Rowan ran out the clock and held onto the victory, 20-17. 
 
Mannion led the offense with 85-yards and two touchdowns, while Diorio finished with 46-yards and one score. Giles threw for 188 yards on 20-28 attempts.  Rehm totaled 95 yards with seven receptions.
 
Linebacker Jayson Gonzalez (sr. Roselle Park, NJ/Roselle Park) racked up 13 tackles, six solos and seven assisted.  Pierce and Stokes contributed with six apiece.  
 
The Rowan University football team heads back to Glassboro, for its first home game on Saturday Sept.15 against William Paterson University at 6 p.m.