Box Score Box Score
CHESTER, Pa. --- A quick three-touchdown first quarter gave Lycoming College a 21-0 lead over Widener University. The Warriors held on to the lead, picking up their second Middle Atlantic Conference victory 28-16 on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The win improves Lycoming to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the MAC while Widener slips to 3-3 on the year and 1-2 in the conference.
Lycoming began its opening drive on its own 35 yard line and on the first play from scrimmage, Colin Dwyer (Dalton, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) connected with Ryan Wagaman (Biglerville, Pa./Biglerville) on a 30-yard passing play. Sean Saylor (Morton, Pa./Springfield) took an end-around and picked up the next first down at the Pride 28 yard line. The Warriors found the scoreboard just 2:30 into the game on a 20-yard touchdown run by Josh Kleinfelter (Belwood, Pa./Belwood-Antis), going up 7-0.
The Warrior defense stopped the Pride in five plays, forcing a punt. After a Lycoming penalty, Dwyer threw a pass that was tipped in the air twice by the Widener secondary before Lycoming’s tight end Adam Paulhamus (Watsontown, Pa./Warrior Run) hauled it in for a 67-yard score, putting the Warriors up 14-0 with 9:53 remaining in the first quarter.
Tom Bennie (Moosic, Pa./Riverside) came up big with a stop as Widener attempted to convert a fourth down with two yards to go, holding the Pride short by a yard and giving the ball back to the Lycoming offense.
Lycoming was called for holding at the Widener 45-yard line, but Dwyer more than accounted for the lost yards on a 41-yard completion to Saylor.Two plays later, Dwyer hit Paulhamus with a 21-yard reception for his second touchdown of the day, moving Lycoming ahead 21-0 after a TJ Chiarlonza (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) PAT to end the first quarter.
The Pride got on the scoreboard with 9:56 remaining in the second quarter after starting with the ball on the Lycoming 36 yard line, narrowing the gap 21-7.
Defense was the name of the game for the remainder of the first half, with neither team scoring until Widener hit a 34-yard field goal to end the second quarter.
Two minutes into Widener’s opening drive of the third quarter, Jim Daley (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) came up with an interception, returning it for 30 yards to the Lycoming 40 yard line. On Widener’s next possession, Daley came up with a broken up pass on a third-and-ten situation for the Pride.
Widener closed the difference further after benefiting from two pass interference calls on the Warriors, scoring on a four-yard touchdown run. The Pride attempted a two-point conversion, but the pass was knocked picked off by Chuck Bellitto (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot).
Lycoming picked up great starting position on its next drive on the Widener 49 yard line after a 30-yard return by Josh Dixon (Fleetville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail), followed by a Pride unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Wagaman picked up another Lycoming first down and moved the ball to the Pride 35-yard line after a 15-yard pass from Dwyer, but the Warriors could not find the end zone on the drive.
Bennie came up with another huge defensive play, sacking the Widener quarterback for an eight-yard loss. On the next play, Ray Bierbach (Hunlock Creek, Pa./Northwest Area) continued tough defense with an interception, setting Lycoming up deep in Widener territory. But again the Pride managed to stop the Warriors from scoring.
Linebacker Joe Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) picked up the Warriors' third interception of the day, spotting the ball on the Widener 23 yard line. Dwyer connected with Dixon on six-yard touchdown pass, putting the Warriors back in control 28-16.
Anthony Marascio (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) caused a nine-yard sack, forcing Widener to turn the ball over on downs, handing Lycoming the ball on the Widener 17 yard line. Head coach Mike Clark took a gamble on fourth and four, but Dwyer picked up the yardage, giving Lycoming a first and goal.
Lycoming ran four straight rushing plays to run down clock to seal the 28-16 victory.
Dwyer finished the day with 286 passing yards, completing 19 of his 31 passes. Paulhamus was the game-high receiver, picking up 120 yards and two touchdowns in the air. On the ground, Kleinfelter gained 81 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Marascio and Kyle Murren (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) paired up for several tackles, as Marascio had 10 total, eight of which were assisted and Murren with seven total, including six assisted. Bierbach finished the game with three tackles and an interception returned for 51 yards.
Lycoming is back at David Person Field on Oct. 24 when it hosts Delaware Valley College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
