(box score)
Sophomore Chris Haupt (Bloomsburg, PA) jump-started the offense in the second half and freshman Laquan Robinson (Chester, PA) returned two punts for touchdowns in Widener's 35-20 Middle Atlantic Conference win over FDU-Florham at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
Haupt came in to start the third quarter with Widener down 13-7 and was nothing short of spectacular. This was no more evident that the team's first drive in which he completed 9-of-13 passes for 69 yards.
That 17-play, 76-yard drive, which featured three completions of at least 10 yards, culminated when junior Brendan Curran (Sinking Spring, PA) ran it in from one yard with 5:59 left in the quarter. The extra point from junior Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) gave the Pride a 14-13 lead.
Widener's defense early in the fourth forced FDU to punt after a three-and-out. The Devils made the mistake of booting it to Robinson, who zigzagged his way 62 yards for his second such score of the contest and a 21-13 lead.
A short punt by the Devils' John Hancock went out of bounds at their own 27 yard line. The Pride (2-2, 1-0 MAC) made them pay on the first play with Haupt finding junior Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) on a touchdown with 3:56 remaining and a 28-13 margin.
The Devils (3-1, 0-1) made things interesting on the next drive with Matt Jeffers hitting Andrew Scamporino on a 66-yard pass to the Widener five yard line. Jeffers two plays later found Tim Grey on a five-yard fade route with 3:10 to go for a 28-20 contest.
Widener on its next drive sealed the contest when senior Adam Smith (Littlestown, PA) broke through the line and scampered 23 yards for a score with 2:01 left for the final.
Haupt completed 18-of-28 passes for 199 yards, helping Widener gain a 297-140 edge in total offense in the second half. Clayton ended with eight catches for 102 yards and freshman Mohammad Conteh (Upper Marlboro, MD) posted six receptions for 60 yards.
Robinson closed with 127 yards in punt returns, which is believed to be the third highest total in school history, to go with 24 yards in kickoff returns and an interception. His 63-yard punt return for a score with 10:29 remaining in the first quarter gave Widener a 7-0 lead.
Sophomore Joe Woceichowski (Riverside, NJ) ended with eight tackles and senior Kevin Franklin (Baltimore, MD) totaled seven for Widener.
Jeffers completed 18-of-38 passes for 201 yards and two scores for the Devils. Bayshawn Wells was limited to 12 carries for 33 yards and Steve Hoverson amassed nine tackles.
The victory was Widener 13th straight in the series, improving its mark to 14-2.
Beau Reed scored on a five-yard pass from Jeffers to make it 7-7 with 5:04 left in the first quarter. Travis Mullen kicked field goals of 34 and 42 yards in the second quarter to give the Devils a 13-7 lead.
Widener next Saturday visits King's for a 1:00 pm start.
