The Misericordia University football team fell to FDU-Florham, 28-14, in front of a Homecoming crowd, Saturday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.

The Devils scored on the first play of the second quarter and built a 21-0 lead before the Cougars got on the board late in the period.

FDU-Florham regained momentum by returning the ensuing kick-off to close out their scoring.

The Cougars got within two scores early in the fourth quarter, but their late rally came up short.

Tamar Sample ran for a touchdown and connected with Anthony DePalma on another score.

DePalma had three catches for 84 yards.

Eric Glass had a team-high 10 tackles.  Justin Moreno and Xander Shaner both had seven stops.  Shaner had a strip sack and recovered the fumble and T.J. Prather had an interception for the Cougars.

After a scoreless first quarter, FDU-Florham capped a nine-play drive with a short touchdown run on the opening play of the second quarter.

The Cougars were forced to punt and the Devils went 73 yards in just three plays to take 14-0 lead with 10:03 to go in the first half.

Following another MU punt, the Devils capped a 78-yard drive with a 31-yard scoring strike for a 21-0 lead with 6:02 to play.

The Cougars answered with a long scoring drive of their own.  Starting at their own 21-yard line, the Cougars took advantage of a pass interference penalty and they Sample connected with DePalma for 22 yards down the middle into FDU territory.

Two more pass interference penalties set up a first and goal and Sample powered in for the score on fourth-and-goal from one yard out.

Down 28-7, the Cougars threatened late in the third period when Shaner recovered a fumble on a strip sack at the Devils 21-yard line.
The drive stalled at the 14 and MU's field goal attempt was blocked.

The Cougars forced a punt to open the fourth quarter and took over at their own 15-yard line.

Three FDU-Florham penalties, including roughing the kicker, gave the Cougars at a first down near midfield.  Sample found Carlos Artson for 16 yards and later connected with DePalma for a leaping touchdown grab at the right pylon to get the Cougars within 28-14 with 10:27 to play.

Misericordia took over on downs at their own 32 with 3:58 to play and moved into Devils territory.

Sample found four different receivers to move the Cougars to the FDU 28-yard line, but the drive was thwarted on an interception in the end zone.

The Cougars, 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the MAC, will host Lebanon Valley, Saturday.