ALFRED, N.Y. (Sept. 5) -- The Thiel College Football team fell 74-13 Saturday evening at Alfred State in non-conference action to open the 2026 season from Pioneer Stadium.
The meeting was the first all-time between the Tomcats (0-1) of the Presidents' Athletic Conference and the Pioneers (1-0) of the Empire 8 Conference.
Freshman
Tyrese Madry (Indianapolis, Ind./Athens Drive Magnet (N.C.)) provided the big play of the day, logging a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown early in the second quarter to get Thiel on the board. The kickoff return TD was Thiel's first since 2024.
The Tomcats added a second score just before the break as
Na'Jier Howard (Youngstown, Ohio/Struthers) connected with
Jamond Gladney (Jackson, Ala./Jackson) for a 32-yard touchdown.
Gladney made a game-most five catches for 58 yards. Howard completed 13 passes for 144 yards.
Drevon Newton (Pittsburgh, Pa./Nazareth Prep) added three grabs for 37 yards while
Landen Jackson (Baldwin, Mich./Reed City),
Caleb Ayala (Margate, Fla./Boca Raton Community) and
Jaden Shay (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) each had two receptions.
Timothy Chennis (Gould, Fla./Florida Christian) paced the Thiel run game with 33 yards on seven carries while
Devin Philips (Frederick, Md./Brunswick) had 31 yards on seven tries.
Deangelo Baker (Memphis, Tenn./Kingsbury) made a career- and game-most 12 tackles (10 solo) to go with a team-leading 1.5 tackles for loss.
Khalil Daniels (Frisco, Texas/Lebanon Trail) made eight tackles (five solo) while
Owen Dorion (Youngstown, Ohio/Xaverian Brothers) and
Cayden Sturgeon-Jadro (Landisburg, Pa./West Perry) each had five stops.
Ja'Juan Williams (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) added four tackles with a pass breakup.
Thiel is back in action next Saturday against Adrian in a 1 p.m. tilt from Alumni Stadium.
