READING, PA – With Wilkes University leading by four points host Albright College used a touchdown pass with fifteen seconds remaining in the game to rally for a 26-23 comeback victory over the Colonels Saturday afternoon in Middle Atlantic Conference action at Shirk Stadium.
 
Wilkes falls to 0-8 overall and 0-7 in MAC games following the heartbreaking road defeat while Albright improves to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in league play with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
 
Wilkes took a 23-16 lead when Isaiah Robinson (Pittsburgh, PA/Milton Hershey) sacked Albright quarterback Alec Vignola knocking the ball loose and Vinnie Werner (Duncannon, PA/Susquenita) was able to recover in the end zone for the Colonels touchdown with 13:29 left in the fourth quarter.
 
Albright cut into the deficit with a 28-yard field goal three possessions later trailing 23-19 with 5:32 remaining in the game.
 
Wilkes was forced to punt on the ensuing possession after six plays setting up the Albright offense with a chance for the go-ahead drive with 1:42 left on the clock. The Lions moved into Colonel territory using a 22-yard pass and runs of seven, five and 13 yards. On a third and ten, Vignola found Khari Jefferson from 21-yards out for the eventual game-winning score giving Albright a 26-23 lead with :15 remaining.
 
Wilkes had one last effort to try to get into field goal range for a chance to tie, but Nicholas Geimer (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny)'s pass was intercepted at the Albright 45 ending the Colonels chances.
 
Albright led first kicking a 42-yard field goal on the game's opening drive. Wilkes responded two possessions later when Geimer connected with tight end Garrett Armstrong (Hampton, NJ/Kittatinny) from 22-yards out for a 7-3 advantage.
 
Following an Albright punt, Wilkes began another promising drive which brought the Colonels down to the Albright four yard line before the drive stalled. Mike Hauck (Fredericksburg, PA/Northern Lebanon) drilled a 21-yard field goal to put the Colonels ahead 10-3 with 13:35 left in the second quarter.
 
Albright responded with its first score of the game tying the game at 10 before Geimer used his legs scampering in from 19-yards out to put Wilkes back in front 16-10 right before the half ended. Albright wasted little time tying the game for the second time scoring a touchdown in just 1:46 on seven plays sending the game to the break tied at 16.
 
Neither team could find the end zone in the third quarter setting up the final fifteen minutes led off by Werner recovering off the Brown sack early in the frame.
 
Geimer finished 12-for-22 for 140 yards and one score through the air and used his legs for a career-high 171 yards on 30 carries scoring another touchdown on the ground. Armstrong was the top target all day catching four balls for 57 yards.
 
The Wilkes defense played its best game all year limiting the Albright offense to 341 total yards including a season-low -20 on the ground. Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) led the defense with nine tackles and 2.0 coming for a loss. Robinson followed with eight stops and the game-changing forced fumble.
 
Wilkes closes out its home schedule Saturday hosting defending MAC champion Stevenson University at 12:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium. The Colonels will also honor its senior class on senior day prior to kickoff.