(box score)
Widener battled to the end in a tussle of Middle Atlantic Conference unbeaten squads, but was handed a 31-7 loss by Lycoming in Williamsport, PA.
The game started as an offensive struggle with two of the top defenses in the MAC unwilling to give an inch. That changed with 6:23 left in the first quarter, when Lycoming quarterback Zach Klinger hit Ryan Wagaman on a 63-yard pass down the right sideline for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Warriors (5-1, 3-0 MAC) doubled the margin to 14-0 with Josh Kleinfelter taking the handoff and bolting 44 yards up the middle with 3:57 left in the period.
Widener (3-3, 2-1) benefited from a short punt that bounced dead at the Lycoming 39 yard line. Sophomore Chris Haupt (Bloomsburg, PA) completed 4-of-5 passes on the drive and junior Brendan Curran (Sinking Spring, PA) ended it on a one-yard scoring bolt with 10 seconds left in the first half. The extra point from junior Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) cut the Pride's deficit to 14-7.
The Warriors made the Pride's first drive of the third quarter a short one as Ryan Fenningham intercepted Haupt's pass and returned it to the Widener 10 yard line. The Pride's defense held their ground before TJ Chiarlanza booted a 27-yard yard field goal with 5:10 to play in the third quarter for a 17-7 Lycoming lead.
A turnover once again hurt the Pride as freshman Kaiuway Boima (New Britain, CT) was stripped by Roger Jayne, who returned it to the Widener 24 yard line. On the ensuing play, Klinger hit Wagaman for a touchdown pass just 27 seconds into the fourth quarter for a 24-7 contest.
The Warriors ended the scoring on a wild play. Ray Bierach intercepted a deflected pass, broke several tackles and maneuvered his way 84 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining for the final.
Haupt completed 22-of-43 passes for 200 yards and junior Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) had eight receptions for 63 yards for Widener. Sophomore Joe Wojceichowski (Riverside, NJ) amassed eight tackles and senior Greg Walsh (Hatfield, PA) totaled seven.
Kleinfelter had a day with 26 carries for 139 yards for the Warriors, who forced five turnovers. Wagaman caught five passes for 107 yards and Kabongo Bukasa ended with eight tackles for Lycoming, which has won three straight in the series for the first time in 11 years.
Widener next week returns home to host Albright, beginning at 1:00 pm.
