Despite a pair of touchdown receptions by Sam Gillison, the Misericordia University football team dropped its season opener, 24-14, Saturday at McDaniel.

Gillison had five receptions for 89 yards while Isaiah Williams had 97 yards on a team-high nine catches.

Michael Gawlik led the team with 107 receiving yards on three catches, including a 55-yard reception.

Brady Williams was 19-32 for 312 yards with two TD's and two interceptions.

David Cromwell led the Cougars in rushing with 72 yards on 16 carries.

After McDaniel missed a field goal on the first possession of the game, the Cougars took over and marched 70 yards in nine plays to take 7-0 lead with 6:25 left in the first quarter.

B. Williams connected with I. Williams for a pair of 12-yard receptions before hitting Gillison for an 18-yard scoring strike.

The Cougars' lead stood until the Green Terror took advantage of a short field to pull even, 7-7, with 2:02 left in the first half.

MU threatened in the closing minutes of the half, but the drive was thwarted by an interception deep in McDaniel territory.

B. Williams ran for 18 yards for a third-down conversion to the MU 48 and then connected with I. Williams for a sliding, 17-yard grab in McDaniel territory.

Cromwell ran for 10 yards and another first down, but the Green Terror came up with an interception inside their own 10-yard line.

McDaniel went ahead late the in the third quarter and stretched the lead to 24-7 late in the fourth.

The Cougars answered with a quick score to pull within 24-14.

After Gawlik returned the kick-off 32 yards, he hauled in a 27-yard reception on first down to move into McDaniel territory.

B. Williams connected with Gillison on the next play for a 39-yard TD with 3:26 to play.

McDaniel recovered the on-side kick, but MU forced a quick punt and took over at their own 20 with 1:44 to play.

On second down, B. Williams hit Gawlik for a 55-yard gain to the McDaniel 25.

A six-yard catch by Gillison moved the Cougars to the 19, but McDaniel ended the threat with an interception in the end zone on fourth down with :24 to go.

Jake Nagle had a team-high seven tackles while Tavion Rogers, John Pearson, Mike Conway and Zach Orzell all had six stops.

MU will host Keystone in their home opener, Saturday.