MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The Morrisville State College football team opened the 2015 season campaign with a 28-20 victory over visiting Saint Lawrence University Friday night on Drake Field in Morrisville.

The win is the second straight in as many opening nights for the Mustangs, who captured a landslide of a decision over Alfred State last year to open the record setting 2014 season.

Morrisville State's offense picked up where they left off just a year ago, accumulating a total 433 yards offense, 276 through the air from transfer quarterback Cory Benedetto (Rochester, N.Y.). Benedetto completed 16-of-33 passes for three touchdowns, four strikes to senior Anthony Mella (Brooklyn, N.Y.) who pulled in four for a total 137 yards and two scores on the night.

Morrisville State gained an additional 157 yards in the running game, 97 on the quick foot of Cristian Pena (Ridgewood, N.Y.).

The defensive unit was the star of the night, allowing the Saints to gain just 252 yards total offense, while picking up a total eight sacks. Richardson Derosena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the charge with 13 total tackles, five solo stops, with lineman Julian Serrano (Bronx, N.Y.) adding seven, three of which were sacks for a loss of 13 yards.

The Saints, who received votes in the D3football.com Top 25 National Preseason Poll, and are known for their nationally ranked defensive unit, struggled throughout the contest in nearly all aspects of the game. A majority of St. Lawrence's offense came in the passing game, as quarterback Mike Lefflbine completed 20-of-32 attempts for 226 yards and two scores. The Saints were able to muster just 26 yards in the running game, 20 by Jake Gnieser.

Leondre Simmons led the receiving unit for St. Lawrence with four catches for 69 total yards, as six additional players served as targets for Lefflbine on the night.

Alec Dietsch registered 11 total stops to lead the defensive efforts, with teammate Brendan Donahoe adding nine.

Morrisville State was able to capitalize on the opening drive of the night, as Benedetto connected with Mella who had two steps on two defenders along the left side of the field for a 63-yard scoring pass play for the early 6-0 lead. A 2-point conversion from Benedetto to Mella, capped off the six play, 84-yard drive, to give the Mustangs a 8-0 advantage nearly three minutes into the game.

After the defense pinned the visitors deep in their own territory and forced a three and out series, Morrisville State regained possession at midfield, and four plays later, Pena found the end zone with a three-yard pound up the center for the score and 14-0 lead with 6:20 remaining in the opening quarter.

St. Lawrence was able to regain possession at the end of the first quarter, forcing a Mustang turnover on their own 23-yard line, setting up a 15-yard pass from Lefflbine to Lauricella in the back of the end zone for the Saints first score of the night.

Morrisville State responded on the ensuing drive, as Benedetto again hit a wide open Mella who was streaking down the visitor's sideline. Mella had two defensive backs beat by nearly five yards to complete the 59-yard scoring strike with his second touchdown tally of the day, and 22-7 Mustang lead.

The Saints were able to add an additional score as time wound down in the half, as Lefflbine connected with Mitch Gallagher in the left corner of the end zone to make it a 22-14 ball game with 49.4 second remaining in the half.

Shortly thereafter, the game would be halted as there was a 30 minute delay due to a power surge.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Saints were able to cut the deficit to just two, scoring on the second play of the fourth quarter, as Gallagher registered the one yard rushing score following a pass interference call to make it a 22-20 game just nine seconds in. Lefflbine's pass attempt on the 2-point conversion failed.

Morrisville State responded once again with a seven play, 69-yard scoring drive, as Benedetto connected with tight end Dennis Scherrer (Washingtonville, N.Y.) who was fully extended and got his toes down in the back right corner of the end zone for the 28-20 Mustang lead.

St. Lawrence regained possession with 3:16 remaining in the quarter and attempted to put together an equalizing drive, but the Mustangs defensive unit came up huge to secure the win. Lefflbine, facing a second and seven situation, was sacked by Caldwell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to force a 3-and-12 scenario with 34 ticks remaining. Facing fourth down, Lefflbine was unable to connect with Matt Gardiner to secure the first down, turning the ball over on downs to the Mustangs, to capture the win.

Morrisville State returns to the field Saturday, September 19, traveling to nearby Utica College for their Empire 8 Conference opener. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Utica.

Morrisville State's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.

In addition to being named to the 2014 President's Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate. For more information visit www.morrisville.edu.

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