MADISON, N.J. – A defensive stronghold from
Luke Shaeffer leads a 17-15 win over FDU-Florham.
The win moves the Pride to 2-1 in the regular season and 2-0 in MAC play.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Caiden Leszczynski led the Pride on the ground with 64 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
- Michael Turner added 41 rushing yards on 11 attempts and totaled 86 kickoff return yards.
- Shaeffer's first interception resulted in a 40-yard touchdown return, giving the Pride a 14-0 lead with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter.
- Junior Luke Shimko led the Pride defense with 11 total tackles, including six solo stops.
- Widener recorded three sacks, with Anthony Miceli, Aaron Marbury and Ryan Kuhl each recording one.
- Widener held FDU-Florham to 196 total yards, including just 66 rushing yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Widener wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After a 42-yard opening drive, sophomore quarterback Caiden Leszczynski capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:15 remaining in the first quarter. Fred Adler added the extra point to give the Pride a 7-0 advantage. Just 59 seconds later, the Pride defense struck again. Senior defensive back Luke Shaeffer stepped in front of a Nazir Smith pass and raced 40 yards for a touchdown, giving Widener a 14-0 lead with 7:16 remaining in the opening quarter. Adler's extra point pushed the advantage to two scores.
- Widener added to its lead midway through the second quarter when Adler drilled a 20-yard field goal with 6:00 remaining, extending the Pride advantage to 17-0. FDU-Florham finally got on the board just before halftime, converting a 28-yard field goal with 28 seconds remaining in the second quarter to make it 17-3 at the break.
- The Pride's first half momentum began to slip as the Devils struck first to make the score 17-9. The defensive battle begun as each side held each other scoreless. A late three and out for the Devils gave the ball back to the Pride with 1:07 left in the third.
- With 15 minutes to play, the Pride drove the field before turning the ball back over to the Devils. The Devils would drive the field and make it to the WID40 before Shaeffer picked another ball at the WID4. A late possession from the Devils would chew the clock and move the score to 17-15 in favor of Widener. With 2:28 left, the Blue and Gold would eat more clock but send it away with 00:47 left. A late pass would fall to the turf as the score ended 17-15 in favor of Widener.
UP NEXT
Widener heads to Wilkes Barre, Pa. to visit the 0-2 (0-2 MAC) King's Monarchs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
