(box score)
Widener let early momentum slip away and was dealt a 31-17 Middle Atlantic Conference loss at No. 24 Albright in a rainy Reading, PA.
Widener (3-4, 1-3 MAC) got an unusual break to open the game. Sophomore Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) launched the kickoff, which was mishandled out of bounds by Albright. On the first play, running back Josan Holmes was tackled in the end zone by juniors Joe Favinger (Mohnton, PA) and Joe Colleluori (Holmes, PA) for a safety and a 2-0 lead.
The next break benefited the home team as Brett Gaul blocked a punt from sophomore Kevin Huelster (Mount Laurel, NJ), which was recovered at the Widener 37 yard line. Holmes ran in the drive's 10th play for a one-yard touchdown and then caught Tanner Kelly's pass for the two-point conversion with 4:20 left in the first quarter for an 8-2 game.
Albright (7-0, 4-0) in the first was going into the wind, which affected Kelly's punt from his end zone. Sophomore Federico Jellinek (Bethesda, MD) took the low liner in Lions territory and sprinted 36 yards for the score. Breslin's extra point with 47 seconds left gave the Pride a 9-8 lead.
The Lions regained the lead at 14-9 with 56 seconds left in the half. Ryan Ott had an interception at the Pride 35 yard line and Kelly seven plays later completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Drumgo. Kelly's pass on the conversion failed.
Albright was not bothered by being pinned on its seven yard line late in the third quarter. The 79-yard drive, highlighted by two third-down conversions, ended on John Whelan's 31-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the quarter for a 17-9 game.
Widener's chances became bleaker when Mark Bergery made a diving interception for Albright at the visitor's 17 yard line. Kelly ended the drive with 11:33 remaining on a one-yard touchdown run for a 24-9 contest.
The Lions made it 31-9 with 52 seconds left as Josh Hare ran an interception back 55 yards for a touchdown.
The Pride got that score back when freshman Chris Haupt (Bloomsburg, PA) fired an 11-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Justin Horning (Red Hill, PA) with two seconds left. Junior Michael Penna (Philadelphia, PA) hauled in the two-point conversion for the final.
The Pride's defense gave a solid effort as junior Jon Natter (North Hills, PA) made 12 tackles with nine solos and Favinger had 11 with 10 solos and a sack. Senior James Woodley (Pittsgrove, NJ) had seven tackles to go with two of Widener's five sacks.
Widener limited Albright to just 76 yards rushing on 43 carries.
Kelly completed 18-of-30 passes for 217 yards for the Lions. Nate Romig notched seven catches for 97 yards.
The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to lightning with 4:17 remaining.
Widener next week hosts Lebanon Valley at 1:00 pm.
