WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Widener Football's rainy Saturday afternoon game against King's end with a late Monarch drive in 18-12 defeat.
The 18-12 loss moves the Pride to 2-2 in the regular season and 2-1 in conference play.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Caiden Leszczynski led the offense in the air with two completions on four attempts for 31-yards.
- Finn Whittle recorded 14 attempts on the ground for 46-yards.
- Jaelen Richardson snagged hiss ole reception for 29-yards.
- Luke Shimko marked a season high 16 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup.
- Eli Warfel held the sole blocked punt.
- Fred Adler showed seven of the Pride's points with two field goals (40 and 38 yards), and a PAT.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Widener's defense set the tone early, forcing King's to turn the ball over on downs on its opening possession. Ryan Wilson and Ryan Kuhl were among the Pride defenders making an early impact as Widener held the Monarchs off the scoreboard. The Pride capitalized on the stop, driving into King's territory before Fred Adler connected on a season long 40-yard field goal to give Widener a 3-0 lead with 10:35 remaining in the first quarter.
- King's answered with a touchdown in the second quarter to take a 7-3 lead before adding a 25-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the half to take a 10-3 advantage into halftime. Widener's defense continued to battle, with Wilson recording a sack and the Pride forcing another turnover on downs to keep the game within reach.
- The Pride cut into the deficit early in the second half when Adler drilled a 38-yard field goal with 0:57 left in the third quarter, making it 10-6. Widener's defense then produced another pivotal play as Luke Shimko intercepted Jaelin Mims, giving the Pride possession at the King's 35-yard line. Shimko finished with a game-high 16 tackles to lead the defensive effort.
- Widener seized its biggest opportunity of the afternoon early in the fourth quarter. Eli Warfel blocked a King's punt, and Brandon Catherine recovered the ball and raced 35 yards for a touchdown. Adler added the extra point, putting the Pride in front, 13-10, with 7:36 remaining.
- King's answered with a safety to make it 13-12 before the Pride defense again came through. Wilson and the Widener defense helped force another turnover on downs with three minutes remaining, giving the Pride a chance to protect its one-point lead. Widener moved the ball 21 yards on the ensuing possession before punting with 1:48 left.
- The Monarchs drove 62 yards in nine plays, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds remaining to take an 18-13 lead. King's attempted a two-point conversion but was unsuccessful, leaving the Pride just short.
UP NEXT
Widener heads into a bye week on Saturday, October 3 before returning to Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field on Saturday, October 10 for homecoming against the 2-2 (1-2 MAC) Albright Lions. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
