DALLAS, Pa. – The Widener University football team scored 21 points in a row to take a late fourth quarter lead, but the Misericordia Cougars scored with four seconds remaining and completed a two-point conversion as the Pride fell to the Cougars 36-35 in a MAC contest on Saturday afternoon.
 
After both teams struggled on offense in the first quarter, Widener went to work, opening the second period well as an 18-yard touchdown pass resulted in the first six points of the game. Misericordia responded with a pair of scores to go up 14-7 with 58 seconds left in the half. The Pride moved the ball quickly and was able to knot things at 14-14 just before the half.
 
Taking the opening kickoff of the third quarter, the Cougars punched in their opening drive to retake the lead. After trading punts for the next couple of drives, Misericordia intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards for a score, doubling its edge. The Pride used a pair of big runs to get back into the game as touchdown rushes of 53 and 66 yards closed the third and opened the fourth quarter, tying the score at 28-28.
 
Widener forced a three-and-out by the Cougars on the next drive. Three plays later, a second long TD run by Chris Randle, this one for 40 yards gave the Pride its first lead since the opening score of the game. MU responded, scoring on its final drive and completing a two-point conversion to cement the final score.
 
FIRST QUARTER NOTES

• Neither team was able to muster much offense in the opening 15 minutes. Widener's best drive was its opening series, moving the ball to midfield before Michael Raczak boomed a punt that pinned Misericordia at its own two-yard line.
• The Cougars had the only scoring attempt of the quarter, but a 43-yard field goal sailed wide right.
• Jordan Powell had four tackles in the frame. Mike Pawlowski posted two takedowns and a TFL.

 
SECOND QUARTER NOTES

• The Pride found its offense to open the stanza. A trio of quick outs from Sean McGaughey to Joey Bristow twice and Pat Downey opened running lanes for Chris Randle. The junior back carried five straight times moving the ball to the Cougars' 18. McGaughey took to the air again, finding James Gillespie over the middle for the score and a 7-0 lead.
• After Widener came up with a fourth down stop on the next Misericordia possession, the Pride was unable to capitalize, fumbling on the first play. The Cougars recovered and punched it in one play later to tie the score. Widener moved the ball, but had to punt on its next offensive series, allowing Misericordia to score with 58 seconds left in the half.
• After a good kick return, WU quickly moved the ball down to the Misericordia five where McGaughey delivered a strike to Pat Downey on a slant to tie the score.
• Randle ran six times for 50 yards in the quarter.
• McGaughey completed all seven of his passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

 
THIRD QUARTER NOTES

• Misericordia scored the first two touchdowns of the quarter, passing it in from 19 yards out the first time and using a 54-yard pick six the second time to open a 28-14 lead.
• Widener responded after the defensive score as after a 21-yard return by Johnny Bauer and a six-yard pass from Mitchell Vierling to James Gillespie, Randle ran around the right side, eluded a would-be tackler, and then outran the defense for a 53-yard touchdown, slicing the lead to seven.
• Randle ran for 87 yards in the frame on just three carries.
• Vince Char had three tackles and his first sack of the season.

 
FOURTH QUARTER NOTES

• After a missed field goal opened the quarter for Misericordia, Widener needed just three plays to knot the score. Donte' Harrell ran for five yards before a Vierling pass to Jarod Reinhart for nine more before Harrell took care of the rest, scampering 66 yards to paydirt, tying things at 28-28.
• The WU defense forced a three-and-out on the next series. A run by Randle and a nice pass from Vierling to Downey pushed the ball to the Misericordia 40. Randle broke through the right side and beat the one remaining defender, scoring his second touchdown of the day, giving the Pride its first lead since the second quarter.
• Misericordia marched down the field and used the remaining clock to score with four seconds left. On the ensuing two-point conversion, Brady Williams was flushed out of the pocket and threw an off-balance pass to the back of the end zone. Coming across the end line, Sam Gillison made a lunging catch as he fell to the ground to give the Cougars the winning points.

 
UP NEXT
Widener continues MAC play and returns home to take on Albright on Saturday, September 22. Kickoff from Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick Stadium is scheduled for 1:07 p..m