Millersville, Pa. - The fingertips of Jordan Villafane quite possibly prevented a game-tying touchdown for Millersville in the final minute of Saturday's PSAC East match-up with Bloomsburg. The true freshman made a diving break up of a fourth-and-14 pass intended for Kevin Wiggins, preserving a 28-21 victory for the visiting Huskies.

Trailing by seven and backed up on the 28, Millersville quarterback Tony Staffieri lofted a pass down the Bloomsburg sideline into a stiff breeze looking for his senior wide receiver. Wiggins was running free with no Bloomsburg player between him and the end zone. But as the ball neared, Villafane, trailing Wiggins, tipped away the pass. The breakup improved Bloomsburg to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the PSAC East while Millersville fell to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in league play. Three of Millersville's losses have been by two scores or fewer.

Alex Gooden rushed for a career-high 164 yards and a score. QB Chris Palubinsky attempted just 19 passes but hit on two key completions of more than 50 yards--one to Ethan Price and one to Michael Allen. Staffieri, making his first appearance since the second quarter of the season opener, went 18 for 32 for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 44 yards and a touchdown. It was the fifth rushing TD by a Millersville QB this season and the first for Staffieri.

Cameron Boykin and Tommy Holloway led the Millersville defense with 12 tackles each--career highs for both. Bloomsburg totaled 477 yards of offense while Millersville managed 249, but the Millersville defense recovered a pair of fumbles, both of which halted Bloomsburg drives that had reached Millersville territory. Sean Dugan returned the first--a first quarter fumble--50 yards. Brendan Sherman scooped up the second late in the third, and that turnover led directly to Millersville's game-tying touchdown one play into the fourth quarter.

Millersville rallied from a 21-7 deficit with 14 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters. Staffieri's 12-yard run with 7:16 left in the third capped a 10-play, 67-yard drive in which he rushed for 28 yards and completed 3 of 4 passes. Millersville forced a punt, and Staffieri piloted a drive to the Bloomsburg 25 on the next possession, even converting a pair of fourth downs. But the drive stalled and a 42-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left--the second missed field goal of the game for Millersville.

The defense, however, rose to the occasion. Qmac Quiteh was stripped from behind by Tanner Dean, and Sherman pounced setting up the offense with prime field position. On the third snap of the drive, Phil Overton slipped inside on a wide receiver screen and sprinted 28 yards for a 21-21 tie.

Bloomsburg broke the tie with the aid of yellow flags. On third-and-18 from the Bloomsburg 49, Palubinsky threw deep but the wide receiver had broke off his route well short of the throw. Contact with the Millersville defender drew a holding call and a Bloomsburg first down. At the Millersville 23, the Marauders were flagged for roughing the passer, and three running plays later, Palubinsky ran a sneak across the goaline for six, leaving 9:35 left on the clock for the Marauders.

Millersville was forced to punt, and Bloomsburg nearly put the game away on its next drive. But Morgan Faughnan kept the game at one score when he blocked a Bloomsburg field goal attempt.

Millersville's final drive started on its own 16, and gained just 12 yards on seven snaps. The final play came with 43 seconds left and Millersville holding two timeouts.

Wiggins' third touchdown of the season and 21st of his career gave Millersville its first points with 13:33 left in the second.

Bokin, Dugan and Marcel Mingo recorded sacks for Millersville. Mingo's was the first of his career, and he forced a fumble on the play. Trejon Dinkins (9) and Drew Seaburg (8) also set career highs in tackles.

Millersville has a quick turnaround with a Thursday night road game at East Stroudsburg. Kickoff is 7:05 p.m.