(boxscore)
Widener ran into a dominant foe in 15th-ranked Wesley and was handed a 41-9 loss in Dover, DE.
Wesley (1-1) cracked the scoreboard with 4:17 left in the first quarter as Shane McSweeny fired a 51-yard touchdown pass to Larry Beavers. Collin Blugis missed the extra point for a 6-0 margin.
Widener (1-1) responded on its next possession with 2:34 to play in the period. Freshman Marcus Payton (Folsom, PA) caught an out pass from junior Drew Lagomarsino (Sellersville, PA), spun out of a tackle and went down the left sideline 68 yards for a score. Freshman Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) missed the conversion and the game remained level, 6-6.
The Wolverines on their ensuing possession regained the lead, 13-6, with 12:07 remaining in the first half. McSweeny hit Beavers on a five-yard slant route and Blugis made the extra point to end the 10-play, 55-yard drive.
The Pride made a huge play toward the end of the half to keep it a seven-point game. The Wolverines were driving when senior Zach Smith (Boyertown, PA) forced wide receiver Jon Lanouette to fumble at the home team's four yard line after catching a slant route. Senior Keith Wilson (Yardley, PA) was there for the recovery with 21 seconds remaining.
The momentum Widener gained at the end of the first half was lost at the start of the second. Beavers brought everyone to their feet with a leaping 38-yard catch in double coverage at the Pride 46 yard line.
Five plays later, Aaron Jackson took a counter draw and dashed 16 yards for a score. Blugis' extra point with 10:56 to go in the third quarter gave Wesley a 20-6 cushion.
The Wolverines put the contest out of reach 24 seconds later with Chet Turner returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown and a 27-6 margin.
Widener closed its scoring midway through the fourth quarter when Breslin booted a 26-yard field goal.
Senior Steve Cook (Drexel Hill, PA) ended with two catches for 61 yards along with nine carries for 27 yards for Widener. Lagomarsino completed 5-of-10 passes for 104 yards and also had eight carries for 26 yards.
Sophomore Joe Favinger (Mohnton, PA) recorded 12 tackles and Smith added 11 for the Pride.
Beavers had a monster game, catching eight passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns along with throwing a 37-yard pass. McSweeny completed 18-of-23 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
Mike Pennewell recorded 17 carries for 82 yards for the Wolverines, who ended with a 530-226 edge in total offense and a 28-8 margin in first downs.
Widener next Saturday visits Frostburg State for a 1:00 pm start.
