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Cruse Football Celebration
13
Wilkes WIL 5-1 , 4-1
30
Winner Widener WID 6-1 , 4-1
Wilkes WIL
5-1 , 4-1
13
Final
30
Widener WID
6-1 , 4-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIL Wilkes 0 6 0 7 13
WID Widener 7 10 6 7 30

Game Recap: Football |

Football Posts Homecoming Win Over Unbeaten Wilkes

Pride stays in contention in MAC title race

CHESTER, Pa. - In front of a crowd of 4,027 for the first Homecoming game in two years, the Widener University football team notched a big MAC win on Saturday, downing undefeated Wilkes, 30-13, at Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Stadium.
 
With the victory, the Pride pushed their record to 6-1 on the season and 4-1 in MAC play, sitting in second a tie for second place behind Delaware Valley. In the process, they put Wilkes at 5-1 on the year and 4-1 in MAC play.

Playing in front of a tremendous crowd that featured the 1981 national championship team, along with Widener Hall of Famer and 100th Anniversary All-Time team member Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, the Pride put together a championship effort against a quality Wilkes team.

Triston Harris threw for 194 yards and two touchdown passes, one on a 17-yard play to team captain James Gillespie on the Pride's opening drive in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Pride increased their lead to 14 after Danny Dutkiewicz ran into the end zone from 3 yards out. Three minutes later, Larry Eimer booted in a 24-yard field goal to give the Blue and Gold a 17-0 lead before Wilkes got on the board later in the quarter to make it a 17-6 game at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Pride opened the second half with a six-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by Harris finding Joe Bristow on a fade into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 23-6.

In the fourth quarter, following a touchdown drive by Wilkes to start the period, the Pride put the game away by going 80 yards in four plays, with Tahir Cruse capping the drive with a 65-yard touchdown run to make it 30-13. Cruse finished the day with 91 rushing yards on 11 carries to lead the team. 

By the Numbers
  • The Pride's defense had one of its strongest outings of the season, holding Wilkes to only 236 total yards of offense and 31 rushing yards on the day. Coming into the game, Wilkes led the MAC in total offense with 455.4 yards per game and rushing yards at 230.2 per game.
  • Matt Konzelman led the Pride with six tackles, while Nick Werkheiser and Mike Pawlowski each had a sack and Matt Okuniewski had an interception.
  • With Werkheiser and Pawlowski each having a sack, along with Mario Scotese and Brendan Kearns each having a half a sack, the Pride now have 22 sacks as a team this year, leading the MAC. 
  • Gillespie is one touchdown away from moving into third place on Widener's all-time 
    reception TDs list. The Huntingdon Valley, Pa. native currently trails Michael Coleman (44 from 1998-2001), Anthony Davis (41 from 2011-14), and Jim Jones (30 from 1999-01).
Of Note
  • The win was the 716th victory in Widener's football history.
  • The 1981 National Championship team celebrated its 40th anniversary of its title run and was recognized at halftime for its efforts during its magical run.
  • Mike Barainyak earned his 11th win as head coach.
 
UP NEXT
Widener goes on the road to Owing Mills, Md. to take on Stevenson in its last game in October. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. After that, the Pride will have a bye week before facing Lycoming on Nov. 6 in its final home game of the season.
 
 
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