Box Score
CHESTER – Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ, Edison) ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns but Wilkes University was unable to overcome 21 fourth quarter points from Widener University as the Colonels fell to the Pride 41-21 in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) football action on Saturday afternoon at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium in Chester, Pa.
The Pride outgained Wilkes just 469-431, as the Colonels ran for 218 yards and threw for 213 more but gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception return for a score, both in the second half.
The Colonels (5-4, 4-2) took a 14-13 lead early in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown run from Tivald, his second of the game. The drive covered 60 yards in nine plays, taking up the first 4:15 of the second half.
Widener wasted little time in responding, as freshman Laquan Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a score, as the extra point put Widener ahead 20-14. The score served as momentum for the Pride as that return was the first of 28 unanswered points.
The third quarter finished with no more scoring, but Widener extended its lead in the fourth, starting with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chris Haupt to Michael Penna with 13:15 left in the game to go up 27-14.
After the Colonels drove just 20 yards in eight plays, giving the ball up on a punt, the Pride drove 76 yards on six plays, capping the drive with a three-yard plunge from running back Adam Smith to go on top 34-14.
Inserting backup quarterback Alex George (York, West York), Wilkes tried to get back in the game by throwing, but was picked off by Dylan Ditmer on the first play of the drive, who returned it 32 yards for another touchdown. The extra point capped off the scoring binge for the Pride as they were able to take control of the game in the final quarter.
The Colonels recovered a Widener fumble with just under four minutes remaining, and after putting starting quarterback Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ, West Morris Central) back in, drove 39 yards in four plays, getting a 14-yard touchdown throw from Berntsen to Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe, Saint Pius X) to cut the Pride's lead to 41-21.
The score would be too little too late for Wilkes, as Widener recovered the onside kick and controlled the final 3:03 to take the 20-point victory.
The Colonels took their first lead of the game at the 5:36 mark in the second quarter on a seven-yard run from Tivald, going up 7-6. Widener answered less than three minutes later on a 19-yard scoring run from Brendan Curran, going into halftime with a 13-6 lead.
The Pride used three quarterbacks, as freshman Tevin Campbell finished 11-of-19 for 104 yards and rushed 16 times for 97 more yards. Haupt went 10-of-16 for 103 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Cedrick Clayton, the MAC's leading receiver, caught seven balls for 68 yards.
Berntsen finished the game completing 14-of-24 passes for 175 yards and a score, adding 26 more yards on the ground, but was sacked three times on the day. George was 7-of-11 for 38 yards and the pick, and ran five times for 38 yards, including a 28-yarder.
D'Emilio extended his pass catching streak, getting a reception in 26 straight games with a five catches for 48 yards and a score. Todd Eagles (Downingtown, Downingtown East) also caught five passes, going for 84 yards. Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, Cedar Cliff), fourth in Division III in tackles, totaled 15 stops including a half-tackle for loss and added a fumble recovery.
The Colonels will wrap up their regular season schedule at home next Saturday as they take on rival King's College in the battle for the Mayor's Cup at the Ralston Athletic Complex. Wilkes will celebrate Senior Day before the game, which is set to start at 1:05 p.m. and be broadcast live on television.
