CHESTER, Pa. – Homecoming at Widener brought a crowd of more than 5,500 fans to Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Stadium as the Pride dropped a tough 40-35 decision to the Misericordia Cougars in a Middle Atlantic Conference matchup on Saturday.
 
After the Cougars scored on the opening drive of the game, Widener responded with an eight-play, 66-yard drive, capped by a three-yard plunge from Tahir Cruse, tying the game at 7-7. Misericordia fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return with the Pride recovering. On the first play following the fumble, Sean McGaughey found James Gillespie on a fade from 33 yards out to put the Blue and Gold up 14-7. This time the Cougars answered back with a touchdown and a field goal to take a 16-14 lead early in the second quarter.
 
The majority of the frame belonged to Widener the rest of the way as drives of 42 and 77 yards both culminated in rushing touchdowns, one each by McGaughey and John Bauer. MU scored right before the half, cutting the Pride edge to 28-23 at intermission. In the second half, the Cougars posted three straight scores before Widener ended the game with a McGaughey TD toss to Ethan Rieger.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Cruse ran for a career-high 75 yards in the game, the third straight contest he broke the 70 mark.
• Gillespie had nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown, his fifth game this season with 100 or more yards receiving.
• McGaughey threw for 297 yards and two scores.
• Defensively, Matt Russo had nine tackles. Ryan Beck posted eight.
• Mario Scotese and Eric Riley each had a sack in the game.
• Anthony Liberatoscioli picked off his second pass of the year.
• Widener was a season-best 9-for-14 on third down.

 
OF NOTE

• The touchdown reception by Gillespie in the first quarter was the 100th catch of his career.
• With his passing total, McGaughey moved by Mike Warker for fifth on the all-time Widener passing list. McGaughey now has 5,446 career passing yards.
• The fourth quarter score by Rieger was the first touchdown of his career.

 
UP NEXT
Widener remains at home where it hosts Lebanon Valley on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.