The Misericordia University football team clinched its second consecutive postseason berth with a 49-28 win at Alvernia, Saturday.

Michael Gawlik ran for 135 and four touchdowns and Brady Williams accounted for three scores as the Cougars improved to 5-3 and secured a berth in the MAC-Centennial Bowl series.

Williams threw for 324 yards (15-19) and two TD's and added 82 yards on the ground and a score.

Sam Gillison broke his own school record with 230 yards receiving on nine catches, including a touchdown.  Isaiah Williams added a TD catch.

Mason Geary had a team-high 14 tackles and Ian Rogers added 11 stops.

After battling to a 21-21 tie at halftime, Misericordia outscored Alvernia 28-14 in the second half.

Following a 19-play, 96-yard scoring drive by Alvernia to open the game, the Cougars needed just five plays to pull even.

B. Williams hit Gillison for 17 yards to the Alvernia 34-yard line and Gawlik got the Cougars on the board with a 28-yard scoring run with 5:22 left in the first quarter.

The Cougars blocked a field goal on the ensuing Alvernia drive and Gawlik and B. Williams combined for 21 yards on three carries to move to the Alvernia 43-yard line.  After a false start penalty, Gillison's 17-yard grab on third down ended the first quarter with an MU first down at the Alvernia 31-yard line.

B. Williams hit I. Williams for 20 yards on fourth-and-four to set up first-and-goal and Gawlik went in from one yard out for a 14-7 lead with 11:36 left in the second quarter.

The Golden Wolves pulled even on their next possession and the Cougars immediately answered.

Gawlik returned the kick-off 40 yards to the MU 48-yard line and Williams found Gillison for 25 yards to the Golden Wolves' 27-yard line.

Facing fourth-and-five, I. Williams put MU back in front, 21-14, with a 22-yard TD reception with 5:53 left in the first half.

Alvernia tied it 21-21 and the Cougars threatened to re-take the lead in the closing seconds, but turned the ball over at the five-yard line.

Gawlik returned the second-half kick-off 20 yards to the MU 40-yard line and Gillison hauled in a 60-yard scoring strike on the next play to put the Cougars in front for good, 28-21.

The Cougars forced a punt, but gave the ball back to Alvernia on a fumble deep in their own end.

Tavion Rogers made a stop on fourth-and-goal and the Cougars took over at their own four-yard-line with 9:58 to play in the third quarter.

Williams ran for 11 yards and then connected with Gillison for 70 yards to the Alvernia 11-yard line.

Three plays later, Gawlik's three-yard scoring run capped a 96-yard scoring drive to make it 35-21.

Alvernia answered with a 70-yard scoring drive and Gawlik returned the kick 20 yards to the MU 36-yad line.

Aaron Barry and Gillison both had 20-yard receptions and Gawlik gained 21 yards on three carries to set up a first-and-goal at the end of the third quarter.

B. Williams scored from four yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Misericordia a 42-28 lead.

Mike Conway's sack on the ensuing possession forced an Alvernia punt and the Cougars took over with 11:20 remaining.

B. Williams gained 55 yards on four carries and Gawlik went 20 yards to cap the drive and give the Cougars a 49-28 lead with 7:01 to play.

Alex Hafner sealed the win with a 20-yard interception return and the Cougars ran out the clock.

Misericordia will play in a MAC-Centennial Bowl, Saturday against an opponent to be named.