DALLAS, Pa. -- Senior Steve Barroso intercepted two passes, and returned one for a touchdown, leading 25th-ranked Albright to a 41-13 Middle Atlantic Conference victory over host Misericordia on Saturday at Mangelsdorf Field.
Barroso led a dominant defensive performance by picking off a pair of passes. He returned his,first interception of the game 15 yards for a touchdown during a decisive fourth quarter by the Lions.
In all, Albright intercepted five passes on the afternoon and forced Misericordia into six turnovers. It marked the fourth consecutive game in which the Lions have forced at least two turnovers. Barroso and Will Harrison each intercepted two passes on the afternoon, and JaVaughn Patterson also picked off a pass.
Chris Dawson rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Daniel Sobolewski converted a pair of field goals to pace the Albright offense.
With the win, Albright improved to 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in the Middle Atlantic Conference.
Albright took an early lead following a turnover on the Cougars second play from scrimmage. Will Harrison intercepted a pass at the Misericordia 20-yard line setting up the Lions in excellent field position.
The Lions were unable to move the ball, but Sobolewski connected from 33 yards out giving the Lions a 3-0 lead with 12:43 to play in the opening quarter.
Following an Albright fumble on a punt, Misericordia drove 45 yards in seven plays to take the lead. Quarterback Jeff Puckett scored from a yard out to give the Cougars a 6-3 lead. It marked the first time in the history of the series that Misericordia has ever held a lead against the Lions.
Albright ramped up the offense in the second quarter to take control of the game.
The Lions took their first possession of the second quarter and marched 64 yards in 12 plays to take the lead for good. Quarterback Mike Knight was 6-for-8 passing during the drive and found Khari Jefferson from five yards out to cap the drive and give Albright a 10-6 lead with 10:59 remaining in the second quarter.
Following a three-and-out, Albright took over on its own,45-yard line. The Lions turned to their ground attack to march 55 yards in six plays to extend the lead to 17-6. Dawson rushed for 48 yards during the drive, including a 31-yard scamper, to set up a 5-yard scoring run by Romello Monroe.
The Cougars marched to the Albright 34-yard line on its next drive, but JaVaughn Patterson intercepted a Puckett on the 10-yard line to end the threat.
Albright came up with its third turnover of the day when Grant Boehler recovered a fumbled punt at the Misericordia 16-yard line. Dawson scored four plays later from five yards out to extend the Lions lead to 24-6 with 54 seconds remaining in the first half.
The Lions turned the ball over on the first drive of the third quarter on a fumble and the Cougars were able to capitalize on a fortunate break.
Puckett connected with Sam Gillison for a 4-yard gain, but Dylan McKenzie forced a fumble on the play. Gillison recovered his own fumble and raced 55 yards into the end zone to cut the Albright lead to 24-13 with 11:30 left in the third quarter.
Harrison's second interception of the game came in the fourth quarter and led to Albright getting back on the scoreboard. The Lions drive stalled, but Sobolewski connected from 43 yards out to push the lead to 27-13. With the two successful field goals, Sobolewski remained perfect on the season having made all six attempts.
Barroso padded the Lions lead just two plays later when he intercepted Puckett and raced into the end zone giving Albright a 34-13 lead with 4:51 remaining in the fourth,quarter.
Barroso almost made it back-to-back touchdowns on the next Cougars drive. He intercepted Puckett at the Misericordia 41-yard line and returned it 39 yards to the 2-yard line before being hauled down.
Dawson punched it across two plays later to increase the Albright lead to 41-13 with 1:15 left in the game.
Albright returns to action next Saturday (Oct. 10) when it hosts Wilkes for homecoming in a MAC game scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Barroso, Defense Lead Albright to 41-13 Victory
/seasons/2015/boxscores/20151003_lj9n.xml
2015
Albright
41
Misericordia
13
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 20 Albright (4-0) | 3 | 21 | 0 | 17 | 41 |
| Misericordia (0-5) | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
Oct 03, 2015