Box Score Lebanon Valley won the ground battle and in turn, defeated the Misericordia University football team, 31-14, Saturday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.

The Dutchmen gained 441 rushing yards while improving to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the MAC.

Jeff Puckett accounted for both of Misericordia's touchdowns, including one on the ground and a 31-yards scoring strike to Juwan Petties-Jackson.

MU took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead.

Puckett got the drive started when he raced around left end on second down for a 23 yard gain to midfield.

Two plays later, backup quarterback Ryan Kurtz stepped in and went 13 yards up the middle for a first down at the Lebanon Valley 38.

Puckett picked up five yards on first down and Frank Santarsiero went nine yards for a first down at the LVC 24.

Santarsiero followed with a seven yard gain and then went 11 yards to set up first and goal at the Dutchmen four yard line.

Puckett went up the middle on third down to give MU the lead with 9:34 left in the opening stanza.

LVC responded with a nine-play 66-yard drive to tie the score at 7-7 with 4:36 left in the first quarter.

Lebanon Valley moved 74 yards in 11 plays, but the Cougars defense stiffened and forced a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

MU moved deep into LVC territory on the ensuing drive before turning the ball over on downs.  Juwan Petties-Jackson picked up 12 yards on a quick out on first down near midfield.

Tom Stelzer made a 13-yard reception for another first down at the Leb Val 36 yard line.

Petties-Jackson made another catch for six yards on third down, but the Dutchmen stopped Puckett on fourth down.

Lebanon Valley went 72 yards for a score and 17-7 lead with 4:04 left in the first half.

The Cougars moved into Lebanon Valley territory on their next possession, highlighted by Kurt Kowalski's 14-yard reception.

MU was forced to punt after the drive stalled at the Leb Val 38.

Lebanon Valley took the second half kickoff and moved into MU territory before Kevin Bagasevich picked off a Brian Murphy pass at the Cougars nine yard line.

After an MU punt, Phil Arnold stopped the next Lebanon Valley drive with an interception at the Misericordia 14 yard line.

The Cougars were forced to punt from deep in their own territory but regained possession when Kowalski recovered a muffed kick at the Lebanon Valley 37 yard line.

After rushing for six yards, Puckett found Petties-Jackson behind the defense for a 31-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 with 4:25 left in the third quarter.

The Dutchmen added a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter for the final margin.

Misericordia will travel to Stevenson, November 2, and will host Albright for their home finale, November 9.