Box Score The Misericordia University football team came up empty on three drives deep into Wilkes territory a 41-7 loss in the 2014 MAC football opener for both teams, Saturday afternoon at Wilkes' Schmidt Stadium.

The Cougars rushed for 265 yards on the day, including 161 yards and a score from junior quarterback Jeff Puckett, but the Colonels scored on their first five drives to open an early lead.

After going three-and-out on their opening drive and falling behind 7-0, the Cougars put together a 12-play drive that stalled at the Wilkes 23-yard line.

Facing third-and-12 from their own 34, Puckett picked up 13 yards and a first down near midfield.

Puckett scampered 19 yards to convert another third down and move the Cougars to the Wilkes 38.

Two more Puckett carries gave the Cougars a first down at the Wilkes 25.

The drive stalled at the 23 when two consecutive passes fell incomplete and the Colonels took over on downs.

Wilkes used another big pass play to key a 77-yard scoring drive to take a 13-0 lead.

Ryan Kurtz started an 11-play drive with 13 yards on two carries to give the Cougars a first down at their own 43 and Puckett hit Juwan Petties-Jackson for a 16-yard gain and another first down at the Wilkes 41.

Following a holding penalty, Puckett rambled 17 yards for a first down at the Wilkes 28.

The drive stalled at the 24 and the Colonels returned a blocked field goal attempt to the Misericordia five yard line.

Two plays later, the Cougars found themselves in a 20-0 hole just 15 seconds into the second quarter.

After Wilkes converted back-to-back MU punts into quick scoring drives to build a 34-0 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the first half, the Cougars put together a 15-play, 66-yard drive of their own.

Tom Stelzer started the drive with an eight-yard reception and Puckett rushed eight times for 55 yards and a Wilkes' personal foul put the Cougars at the six yard line.  But, the half ended with a missed field goal attempt.

The teams traded punts early in the third quarter before MU took over at the Wilkes 45 yard line with 7:17 to play in the quarter.

After Puckett picked up two yards to convert a fourth down at the Wilkes 37, he picked up another first down with a 17-yard scamper to the nine and scored his first touchdown of the season on the next play.

Misericordia put together another lengthy drive late in the fourth quarter.

Brandon Leap and Mark Rainey combined for 45 yards on 10 carries before Leap connected with Randy Custodio for seven yards and a first down at the Wilkes 11.

The drive was thwarted two plays later on an interception inside the five yard line.

Chris Hutter led the MU defense with 10 tackles and Zack LaNunziata added six while Sean Weg and Greg Zotian both had five stops.

Misericordia will host FDU-Florham, Saturday at 1:00.