READING, Pa. – James Gillespie recorded nine catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns as the Widener University football team raced out to an early lead and extended throughout as the Pride claimed a 41-13 win against the Alvernia Golden Wolves on Saturday.
 
"It's always good to get a win especially when you're on the road this year," said head coach Mike Barainyak. "We focused off the bat, credit to the coordinators and the coaches who had a good game plan. We got a big week ahead and have to work on our ability to finish. We'll enjoy this one tonight and then will get things cleaned up tomorrow."
 
The Pride wasted no time as after forcing a punt on the first defensive series, Widener needed just three plays to go 91 yards, capped by a 68-yard pass from Sean McGaughey to James Gillespie. It was the longest play of the season for the Pride, taking a 7-0 lead just more than three minutes into the game. After a quiet remainder of the first, the Blue and Gold opened the second stanza strongly, going 81 yards in nine plays. The Pride converted a fourth-and-two, moving the ball to the 15 before Chris Randle took the next handoff to the house, bouncing off a few tacklers along the way, for a 14-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, Widener stopped the Golden Wolves on a fourth-and-one before driving 72 yards on completed passes to Joe Bristow, Ty Holbert, and Gillespie, the last a fade into the back corner from 16 yards out for a 20-0 WU advantage.
 
Opening the second half from his own 32, Randle took the opening handoff and broke through the line and sprinted across the goalline for his second TD of the game. Widener extended the lead with a 19-yard pass from McGaughey to Gillespie and a two-yard keeper by McGaughey.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Gillespie had nine catches for 200 yards in the game and three touchdowns. He is the first Widener player to have 200 or more yards receiving since Anthony Davis on November 24, 2012 against Salisbury in the NCAA tournament.
• McGaughey threw for 305 yards and three scores, running for a fourth. He has surpassed 280 yards or more in all four games.
• Owen Kramer had four tackles including 3.5 TFL and his first two career sacks. He also had a fumble recovery.
• Randle rushed nine times for 81 yards and two scores. Tahir Cruse rushed for a career best 73 yards.

 
TWEETABLES (280 characters or less)
Sean McGaughey to James Gillespie for 68 YARDS and a TOUCHDOWNNNNN PRIIIIIIIDE!!! Longest play of the year for @Widener_FB #GoWidener #PlayWithPride #ProtectTheCode

68 yards is good, so we'll try it for 62 this time!! Randle takes the opening carry of the second half 62 yards for the score for @Widener_FB #GoWidener #PlayWithPride #ProtectTheCode
 
 
UP NEXT
Widener faces a stern road test when it travels to Owings Mills, Md.  Stevenson for a Middle Atlantic Conference matchup. Kickoff from Mustang Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.