READING, Pa. – Christian Hagans hit a 29-yard field goal with three seconds left as the Widener University football team was dealt a heartbreaking 9-7 setback against the Albright Lions in a Middle Atlantic Conference game on Saturday afternoon
 
The first half was a tough go for both teams. Widener struggled, managing just 48 yards of offense in the frame while Albright fumbled the ball three times, losing two of them. The only score in the opening 30 minutes came on the first drive of the game when Chris Dawson ran the ball in from two yards out for the Lions, who missed the subsequent extra point.
 
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Pride found its legs, completing its longest drive of the season in terms of plays and time, taking 12 plays and 80 yards, using 5:04 on the clock, capped by a one yard touchdown run by Rob Ennis, Jr. with exactly 10 minutes to go in the game. The Lions had two more chances within Widener territory, making the last one count as Hagans banged his kick through the uprights.
 
FIRST QUARTER NOTES

• The Widener defense was called on early as the Lions held the ball for more than 11 minutes.
• Kyle Lowery led the Pride with five tackles in the frame. Jordan Powell and Tyree Nobles, Jr. each made four stops and had a tackle for loss.

SECOND QUARTER NOTES

• The Blue and Gold forced a big turnover midway through the period as after the pocket collapsed, Albright quarterback Alec Vignola took off and raced to the Pride four yard line where he was hit hard by Lowery, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jordan Powell.
• With the Lions driving a second time in the period following a blocked punt, the D stepped up big for the second time in the stanza as a snap sailed over the head of the QB. Vignola picked the ball up, but was then sacked and stripped by Casey Kerschner. Darrin DiLauro fell on the ball as the Pride was able to recover and keep it a one score game.

THIRD QUARTER NOTES

• Widener started to move the ball, picking up three first downs in the quarter while doubling its total offense in the frame.
• Lowery collected five more tackles in the period.
• Graham Jespersen threw for 53 yards in the frame, completing five-of-eight passes. James Gillespie was on the receiving end of the majority of it with four catches for 41 yards.

FOURTH QUARTER NOTES

• The Pride got on the board early in the fourth quarter as Rob Ennis, Jr. scampered in from a yard out on fourth and goal, capping a 12 play, 80 yard drive that was helped by a roughing the passer penalty on Albright on a second and 13 play form the Lions' 37.
• Albright had a pair of chances inside Widener territory in the final minutes. The first time Widener forced a punt. On the second attempt, the Lions survived a scare after a sack by Joe Fox before converting the final score.

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less)

• Casey Kerschner had a sack for the fourth straight game to go along with 2.0 TFL for @Widener_FB RollPride GoWidener
• James Gillespie had a career-best six catches for @Widener_FB against Albright RollPride GoWidener

UP NEXT
The Pride returns to Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 30 for a contest against the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen. It is Go 4 The Goal and Gold Rush where fans are asked to wear gold in support of pediatric cancer research. Kickoff is set for 1:07 p.m.