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Widener valiantly fought back from a 13-point, third-quarter deficit only to suffer a tough 20-13 Middle Atlantic Conference overtime loss at Lebanon Valley in Annville, PA.
The Dutchmen (4-2, 2-1 MAC) held a 13-0 edge and were forced to punt, leading to freshman Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) returning it 19 yards to the 19 yard line. Four plays later, freshman backup quarterback Al Humes (Ridley Park, PA) found sophomore Michael Penna (Philadelphia, PA) on a 19-yard touchdown pass over the middle. The extra point by freshman Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) with 2:18 left in the third quarter hit the right upright for a 13-6 game.
Following a series of turnovers and empty possessions, Widener (3-3, 1-2) got the ball back with 1:43 left when junior Brian Pastor (Chambersburg, PA) stopped Ben Guiles on a fourth-down run at the Pride's 13 yard line.
That proved huge as the Pride marched 87 yards for the tying score, with Humes completing 6-of-9 passes in a drive that required only 69 seconds. It ended when freshman Marcus Payton (Folsom, PA) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone with 34 seconds left and Breslin's extra point forged a 13-13 tie.
In overtime, Widener won the toss and elected to go on defense. LVC looked in trouble facing fourth down and 15 at the 30 yard line, but Caleb Fick completed a 15-yard pass to Joe Brennan for the first down. Two plays later, Guiles ran it in from two yards and Brittany Ryan added the extra point for a 20-13 lead.
Widener got one first down in the extra session, receiving an 18-yard pass from Humes to Payton. Its try for a second on fourth down and five resulted in Humes' pass to senior Tim Kilkenny (Doylestown, PA) that went to the three and fell one foot short.
Humes had a great day in just one half plus overtime, completing 13-of-22 passes for 160 yards and two scores. Payton ended with four receptions for 65 yards and sophomore Joe Favinger (Mohnton, PA) and junior James Woodley (Pittsgrove, NJ) had 11 tackles apiece.
Fick completed 13-of-33 passes for 188 yards for the Dutchmen, who notched a 457-197 edge in total offense that included 269-10 in rushing yards. Matt Donley totaled nine receptions for 114 yards and Charlie Parker amassed 15 carries for 99 yards before leaving due to injury.
The loss was just Widener's second in its last 16 meetings with LVC. It also ended the squad's seven-game winning streak in Annville. It was Widener's first overtime game since falling at home to Delaware Valley in 2003.
Parker looked to give his team momentum early in the game with a 47-yard run to Widener's two yard line. But on the next play he fumbled while trying to dive in the end zone and sophomore Fred Ferro (Clifton Heights, PA) recovered in the end zone for a touchback
The Dutchmen also executed a long drive on their second possession, going 42 yards and having a touchdown pass called back by a holding penalty. Ryan ended the march on a 30-yard field goal with 4:55 left in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.
LVC faced a third down and one and handed off to Cruz Mannherz, who went up the middle 62 yards for a touchdown with 8:56 to go in the first half and a 10-0 contest.
The Pride got a huge stop at the end of the half as Mannherz was tackled by sophomore Jon Natter (North Hills, PA) on fourth down and one at their 14 yard line. It did not overcome the Dutchmen outgaining the Pride, 295-35 in the half with a 15-1 first-downs edge.
LVC took the opening possession in the second half, marching 80 yards on 11 plays that was capped on Ryan's 22-yard field goal. That made it 13-0 Dutchmen with 9:19 to play in the third quarter.
Widener is home next Friday against FDU-Florham, beginning at 7:00 pm.
