EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. -- Stevenson football dropped a tightly contested Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) clash, narrowly falling to Wilkes on the road by a 21-14 count here Saturday at Schmidt Stadium. 

Stevenson (0-5, 0-3 MAC) found the endzone late in the fourth quarter for the 21-14 margin, converting just two third downs on the day. Meanwhile, Wilkes pushes its unbeaten record to 4-0 and 3-0 in conference play. 

• Neither side could find the scoresheet in the opening 15 minutes with both squads trading possessions. 
• The Mustangs made a defensive stand on fourth down, shutting down the Wilkes drive in the red zone as Jason Scott and Josh Siegenthaler combiend for a big stop. 
• Wilkes connected on a 35-yard pass play, setting the Colonels up in prime scoring position once again. Following an illegal shift, Marvin Manassa jarred the ball free as Garston Banks fell on it to force the turnover. 

• Wilkes took advantage of a fumble recovery of its own, getting on the board first with a 22-yard run early in the second quarter. The Colonels led 7-0 following the extra point. 
• Stevenson halted a 10-play drive for Wilkes after forcing another fumble, recovering the ball deep in its own territory. 
• The Mustangs marched 90 yards down down the field in 12 plays for their first scoring drive of the afternoon. The Mustangs covered 51 yards in two plays, including a 31-yard pass from Ryan Sedgwick to Cory Jones, followed by a connection from Sedgwick to Darian Littlejohn. 
• Steven Smothers zipped ahead 12 yards, setting the Stevenson up at the seven. The Mustangs closed out the half with a three-yard strike from Sedgwick to Tylor Blake, tying the score at seven.

• Wilkes forced Stevenson into a three-and-out on a critical opening drive to start the second half. The Colonels responded with a nine-play drive, resulting in the go-ahead score on an eight-yard pitch and catch. 
• The Colonels clanged a field goal attempt off the right upright, but the defense stymied the Mustangs, who had little to speak of offensively in the third. 

• Stevenson recorded another takeaway after an interception for Sean Sullivan gave the ball back to the Mustangs. The ensuing posession was short lived as Wilkes notched an interception of its own on the next Stevenson play from scrimmage. 
• After several minutes melted away, Wilkes needed just two plays for a big insurance touchdown, pushing its lead to 21-7 with 1:41 left. 
• The Mustangs mustered one final score, coming on a 33-yard pass from Sedgwick to Smothers with five seconds left. Stevenson trailed 21-14 following the extra point.
• Stevenson attempted the onside kick but could not recover as Wilkes closed out the contest. 

• Wilkes held a decisive advantage in time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 38 minutes. 
• Stevenson converted twice on third down in 12 chances, while Wilkes went 8-of-15 on third down. 
• Maurice Hammond had a big day rushing the football, logging just under 100 unders on 19 totes. 
• Smothers collected a receiving touchdown for the third consecutive game, pushing his team-leading total to five on the season. 
• Sullivan was active on defense for Stevenson, recording a team-high nine tackles with an interception. Mario McIntyre racked up another 1.5 sacks for the Mustangs along with nine tackles. 
• Jose Tabora broke the Wilkes University career passing yards record during the fourth quarter of Saturday's matchup. 
• Ethan Joseph notched three tackles for loss and two pass break ups for the Mustangs. 

• Stevenson: The Mustangs will head into the bye week before returning to action on Saturday, October 16 against Misericordia at Mustang Stadium. 
• Wilkes: The Colonels visit Albright on Saturday, October 9 for a noon kickoff.