MADISON, N.J. – The Widener University football team battled conference opponent FDU-Florham on a rainy Friday night, falling to the Devils 21-17.

The Pride came out of the gates hot, forcing FDU to punt on the opening drive of the game. Widener then drove 65-yards in 41 seconds to take a 7-0 lead less than two minutes in. WU caused two fumbles the first quarter, matching its season high set against Albright and Kings. An FDU touchdown knotted the game with 8:31 left in the first quarter. Larry Eimer gave the Blue and Gold a 10-7 lead going into the second quarter.

As the rain intensified in the second quarter, neither team was able to put up more points before the half. After a scoreless 11 minutes into the second half, FDU found the back the end zone to take a four point lead to the final quarter. Widener got the ball at the beginning of the fourth quarter and ran it twice for 63 yards, leading to a touchdown and 17-14 advantage. The very next drive, FDU returned the favor and ran it 75 yards for a score. With 2:10 remaining, the Pride had the ball with an opportunity to take the lead. An interception by FDU at the 1:42 mark cemented the final score of 21-17.

By the Numbers:

• Johnny Bauer ran the ball 24 times for 111 yards.
• Vince Char and Shane Mulhern each led the team in tackles with eight. Five solo tackles for Char and three for Mulhern to go with his two pass breakups.
• Larry Eimer's 52-yard field goal is the longest in the MAC this season, beating his 51-yarder against Alvernia. Three of the four longest field goals in the conference this season have come from his foot.
• Joey Bristow and Pat Downey each had over 80 yards receiving.
• Michael Raczak averaged 44.6 yards per punt, continuing to show why he's one of the best in the conference.
• Mitchell Vierling completed 52% of his passes for 189 yards in monsoon-like conditions.

First Quarter Notes:

• After forcing FDU to punt on the opening drive, Widener took over at its own 35-yard line. Mitchell Vierling connected with Pat Downey for 45 yards on the first play. A Johnny Bauer 6-yard run followed, and then Vierling found Downey again for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give WU a 6-0 lead. 65 yards in 41 seconds. The extra point made it 7-0 with 13:49 left in the quarter.
• On FDU's second drive, Brian Armstrong forced a fumble to give Widener the ball back at its own 16.
• The Devils retained possession and scored on a 31-yard pass to tie the score at 7.
• Larry Eimer booted a 52-yarder to give Widener a 10-7 advantage at the two minute mark.
• With FDU threatening, Darrin Di Lauro caused the second fumble of the quarter. Jalen Singleton recovered to give WU the ball at its own 25.
• Vierling was 4-5 for 73 yards.

Second Quarter Notes:

• Joey Bristow accumulated all of the Pride's 75 receiving yards in the quarter.
•  Armstrong led the way with three tackles at the half.
• Jordan Powell, Naraye Wells-Dotson, and Shane Mulhern each broke up a pass in first half.
• Michael Raczak punted three times in the quarter, averaging 48-yards per punt.

Third Quarter Notes:

• Widener drove 57 yards on its second possession, leading to an Eimer 36-yard field goal attempt that was blocked by the Devils' special teams.
• The Pride forced a three and out on the following drive. Mulhern ended it with his second pass breakup of the night.
• A muffed punt on the next play gave FDU the ball back on the Widener 11-yard line.
• A 1-yard touchdown rush provided FDU-Florham a 14-10 lead with 4:10 remaining in the quarter.
• Six first downs for the Pride in the quarter, going 3-5 on third down.
• FDU took the 4-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter Notes:

• Widener started its first drive of the quarter at the 14:51 mark. Bauer gained four yards on his first rush then broke off for a 59-yard touchdown run on second and six. The Pride led 17-14 with 14:00 left in regulation.
• The Devils responded with a 74-yard rushing touchdown on the next drive, making it 21-17 FDU with 13:05 remaining.

Up Next:
The Pride return to Quick Stadium on Saturday, November 10 for the regular season finale against Delaware Valley. The Keystone Cup is on the line. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:07 p.m.