(box score)
Widener got a solid combination of great defense and 21 first-half points for its first shutout in six years, a 21-0 blanking of Thiel at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
The first half told the story as Widener (1-1) held Thiel to a mere eight yards of offense on 24 plays. The defense was breached for just two first downs in that stretch and limited the visitors to 1-of-7 on third-down conversions.
Offensively, the Pride amassed 230 yards in the half with that equally divided between rushing and passing. Widener had an impressive 10 first downs in the first 30 minutes.
Widener scored all the points it would need with 7:37 left in the first quarter, getting a 23-yard touchdown run from junior Brendan Curran (Sinking Spring, PA). This capped a 10-play, 71-yard drive for a 7-0 lead.
The second score required only a 44-yard march, ending with freshman quarterback Colin Masterson (Swarthmore, PA) running it in from one yard with 7:07 to go in the half for a 14-0 margin. Masterson on the drive had a 30-yard completion to junior Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) and a 12-yard pass to senior Michael Penna (Philadelphia, PA) to the one yard line.
Masterson ended the scoring with 3:44 remaining in the half, tossing a 37-yard scoring pass to junior Justin Horning (Red Hill, PA). Junior Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) booted the last of his three extra points.
Senior Shane Szumski (Moorestown, NJ) had a solid game, recording six solo tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The defense forced the Tomcats (0-2) to go three-and-out seven times.
Masterson completed 11-of-21 passes for 134 yards and one score. Senior Adam Smith (Littlestown, PA) ended with 12 carries for 73 yards for Widener, which finished with a 317-137 edge in total offense.
Jared Soell completed 17-of-29 passes for 83 yards for Thiel. Cash Culver totaled six receptions with Bobby Shew notching eight tackles.
It was Widener's first shutout since a 7-0 blanking of Lycoming in 2004. It also was the squad's first non-conference shutout since a 14-0 victory over Dickinson in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament.
The game was part of the inaugural “PAC-MAC Football Challenge Series,” pitting teams from the Presidents' Athletic Conference against schools from the Middle Atlantic Conference.
Widener next Saturday hosts Ithaca, beginning at 1:00 pm.
