Football Holds On For 31-28 Win Against Lycoming

(box score)

In a classic tale of two halves, Widener opened a 31-point halftime lead and held on until the very end to record a 31-28 triumph over Lycoming in both squads Middle Atlantic Conference opener at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.

Widener's potent offense began things in the first four minutes when junior Chris Haupt (Bloomsburg, PA) hit senior Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) on a five-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.

The explosion continued with dynamic All-American sophomore Laquan Robinson (Chester, PA). He fielded a punt running with his hands up, avoided several defenders and raced 64 yards for the score and his fourth career punt return touchdown. This gave the Pride a 14-0 cushion with 4:23 left in the first quarter.

Senior Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) kicked a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter for a 17-0 Widener advantage. After the Pride's defense stopped the Warriors on a fourth and one at the Widener 22, senior Brendan Curran (Sinking Spring, PA) capped the 13-play, 78-yard drive on a one-yard plunge with 6:18 left in the half for a 24-0 lead.

Sophomore Tevin Campbell (Brookhaven, PA) ran seven yards up the middle for what seemed an innocuous touchdown for Widener (3-0, 1-0 MAC), making it 31-0 with 2:12 to go in the half.

Lycoming (2-1, 0-1) came out smoking on its first drive of the second half. Quarterback Zach Klinger ran up the middle for a seven-yard score to end a 13-play, 70-yard drive and make it 31-7 midway through the third quarter.

Craig Needhamme helped the Warriors cut the margin to 31-14, scoring from one yard with 3:34 left in the period. Lycoming on its next drive converted two fourth downs and got a one-yard scoring run from Klinger for a 31-21 deficit with 11:01 to play.

Widener's defense temporarily stopped Lycoming when on fourth and six at the Pride 37, sophomore Trevor Hicks (Charlotte, NC) forced Klinger to fumble on a sack.

The Warriors got the ball back when Ryan Fenningham intercepted Haupt at their own 41. Five plays later, Klinger threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jarrin Campman for a 31-28 game with 1:56 left.

Lycoming looked for the on-side kick and got a favorable bounce, but senior Gary Fish (Easton, PA) recovered it at the Warriors 45 yard line. The Pride attempted to run out the clock, but Curran was stopped on a fourth-down run at the Warriors 36 yard line with 17 seconds left.

The visitors looked to march down the field, but wide receiver Josh Himmelberger was tackled inbounds by senior John Philpott (West Chester, PA) at the Warriors 36 yard line to run out the clock.

Haupt completed 21-of-36 passes for 198 yards and one score. Clayton had five catches for 47 yards and sophomore Dylan Ditmer (Exton, PA) amassed nine tackles with a forced fumble.

Klinger completed 24-of-50 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown, helping the Warriors gain a 415-261 edge in total offense. Parker Showers had eight receptions for 46 yards to go with 19 carries for 74 yards. Fenningham and Anthony Marascio each had six tackles apiece.

Lycoming went 6-for-10 on fourth-down conversions, but could not overcome Widener's strong defense getting three sacks.

Widener hits the road next Saturday to face Wilkes, beginning at 1:00 pm in Edwardsville, PA.

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