(boxscore)
Widener ran into a determined Albright offense in the second half and was dealt a 21-10 Middle Atlantic Conference loss in Reading, PA.
The start of the game was a battle for field position that Widener won, getting three sacks in Albright's first four possessions. Sophomore Joe Favinger (Mohnton, PA) and junior Brian Pastor (Chambersburg, PA) had one each in that span.
But the Lions broke the ice as Brett Gaul blocked a punt from freshman Kevin Huelster (Mount Laurel, NJ) and Matt Christ returned it 26 yards for touchdown. This gave the home team a 7-0 lead with 2:30 left in the first quarter.
Favinger in the second quarter was on the spot again, hauling in a one-handed interception of Kelly's out pass and running 36 yards to the Lions 39 yard line. Senior Tim Kilkenny (Doylestown, PA) buoyed the drive with a 39-yard catch from freshman Al Humes (Ridley Park, PA) on third down and 16, taking it to the six.
Freshman Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) capped it with a 22-yard field goal with 6:22 remaining in the half for a 7-3 Albright lead.
The Pride took their first lead, 10-7 with 1:09 left in the half, on a great fourth-down individual play. Junior Marc Bandola (Clarksburg, NJ) tipped Humes' pass to himself, ran down the left sideline, cut inside and dove in for a 39-yard touchdown.
Widener in the first half notched a 162-82 advantage in total offense, including 133-68 in passing yards.
The Pride in the second half saw senior TD Davis (Reisterstown, MD) return the kickoff 41 yards to the Lions 44 yard line. Humes later in the drive rushed 26 yards to the six.
But it went for naught as a two-yard touchdown run from junior Salah Hawkins (Wilmington, DE) was called back by a holding penalty. Humes on the next play had his pass intercepted by Joseph Baciotti at the goal line.
Albright benefited from a 40-yard drive to grab the lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter. On the eighth play, Josan Holmes' sixth carry of the march resulted in a one-yard touchdown run for a 14-10 edge.
The Pride tried to get back in it, but their offense fell victim to two interceptions. Their best chance in the period occurred when they drove to the Lions 20 yard line, aided by a 20-yard pass from Humes to sophomore Michael Penna (Philadelphia, PA). But Eddie Mitchem intercepted Humes' pass with 8:40 remaining to end the rally.
The Lions got the ball back with 1:54 left looking to run out the clock. Widener got two stops and forced Albright to a third down and three, but Holmes avoided a tackle and went 52 yards up the middle for a score to make it 21-10 with 1:31 to play.
Humes threw for 202 yards, but threw with four interceptions. Junior Ian Decker (Phillipsburg, NJ) had 14 carries for 37 yards, senior Keith Wilson (Yardley, PA) had 10 tackles with three for a loss and Favinger ended with 2 1/2 sacks.
Holmes went on a tear with 31 carries for 195 yards and Tanner Kelly completed 12-of-21 passes for 90 yards for Albright, which notched a 195-131 advantage in second-half total offense.
The Pride ended with a 293-277 edge in total yards.
Widener ends the regular season next Saturday against Wilkes, beginning at 1:00 pm at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
