DALLAS, Pa. - Widener Football falls to Misericordia after a long four hour battle.
The 31-14 loss moves the Pride to 2-7 in the regular season and 2-6 in conference play.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Andrew Olsen led the offense with 218 passing yards and a long of 39-yards.
- Michael Turner carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards.
- Jaelen Richardson came down with three receptions for 72 yards in the air.
- Ryan Kuhl led the defense with 11 tackles, two TFLs, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
- Tal Stoltzfus recorded 10 tackles and a TFL and sack.
- Widener held 266 total offense yards for 24:47 minutes of possession.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Misericordia opened the scoring with a 37-yard touchdown pass with 12:30 remaining in the first quarter. The Pride offense began to find its rhythm on its second possession. Olsen connected with Harrison Stewart-Smith for a 22-yard completion, while Turner added a seven-yard rush to help Widener move into Misericordia territory. The drive ended with a Brandon Yoder punt. Widener's defense responded with pressure, as Kuhl recorded a sack and a pass breakup to help force a Misericordia punt. The Cougars added another touchdown late in the quarter on a 70-yard pass to Schied, taking a 13-0 lead.
The Pride defense continued to battle in the second quarter. Kuhl and Tal Stoltzfus each brought down Borden for sacks, while Kameron Carson helped force a fumble that Widener recovered at its own 33-yard line. Offensively, Olsen connected with Richardson on a pass that drew a pass interference penalty and helped move the Pride into Misericordia territory. Widener also saw contributions from Turner and Eli Warfel in the ground game, but the drive ended with a turnover on downs. Later in the quarter, Widener put together another opportunity after a Misericordia fumble recovery by the Pride defense. Olsen looked to Richardson and Turner through the air, but the Cougars came away with an interception. Misericordia added a 34-yard field goal as time expired to take a 16-0 advantage into halftime.
Widener came out of the break with its best offensive drive of the afternoon. After a 19-yard kickoff return by Turner and a Misericordia penalty, the Pride took over at their own 34-yard line. Warfel opened the possession with a five-yard rush before Olsen found Richardson for a 15-yard completion. Warfel added another four yards on the ground, setting up Olsen's 27-yard touchdown pass to Turner. Jabaryi Olidge converted the two-point attempt to cut the deficit to 16-8 with 13:10 remaining. The Pride defense worked to keep the momentum going, with Luke Shimko, Stoltzfus and Ryan Wilson making stops during Misericordia's ensuing drive. However, the Cougars put together a lengthy 14-play possession that ended with a four-yard touchdown reception, extending the lead to 23-8. Widener answered with another strong drive, as Richardson hauled in a 28-yard pass from Olsen to move the Pride into Cougar territory. Olsen then connected with Warfel for a 36-yard completion down to the one-yard line. After additional completions to Harrison Stewart-Smith and a pair of rushing attempts, the Pride were unable to convert on fourth down.
The Pride defense continued to make plays in the fourth quarter. Carson recorded a sack that forced a Misericordia fumble, which Widener recovered, while Kuhl and Stoltzfus continued to pressure Borden. The Cougars eventually extended their lead to 31-8 on a one-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion. Widener responded with its final scoring drive of the afternoon. Olsen opened the possession with a 39-yard completion to Marquell Perry before finding Richardson for a 29-yard gain down to the two-yard line. After Turner moved the ball closer with a one-yard rush, Olsen punched it in from one yard out with 7:16 remaining. The Pride attempted a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, making it 31-14. The Pride defense provided another highlight when Brandon Catherine intercepted Borden and returned the ball 59 yards to the Misericordia one-yard line. Widener looked to capitalize, but the Cougars came away with an interception in the end zone. The afternoon ended with a 31-14 final.
UP NEXT
Widener heads back to Chester, Pa. on Saturday, November 14 for senior day against the 7-2 (7-1 MAC) Delaware Valley Aggies for the annual Keystone Cup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
