Widener University wins gridiron battle with Bishops, 7-6

Chester, PA - In what proved to be the lowest scoring contest in the history of North Carolina Wesleyan football, the Pride of Widener College managed a 7-6 gridiron win over the Bishops on Saturday at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.  WU’s Drew Lagomarsino scored on a 16-yard bootleg early in the second half, and Josh Fredricks blocked an extra point late in the third quarter to seal the Pride’s season-opening victory. The loss drops the Battling Bishops to 0-2 on the season, while Widener now stands at 1-0.

Following a scoreless first half, Wesleyan failed on a fake punt attempt early in the third quarter. The Pride took over on downs and cashed in four plays later when Lagomarsino faked a handoff and ran around the right side for the score.  Matt Breslin added the extra point with 11:36 to go in the third quarter for a 7-0 Widener lead.

Two possessions later, the Bishops cracked the scoreboard when Orlando Webb hauled in a 22-yard fade route from Bo Jordan with 5:10 left in the period.  Unfortunately, freshman Kevin Quicker had his extra-point attempt blocked by Fredricks to keep it a one-point game in favor of the Pride.

Wesleyan’s best chance to take the lead came early in the fourth quarter.  The Bishops drove to the Widener 13-yardline and had fourth-and-one. NCWC elected to go for the first down, but Jordan’s pass was broken up WC’s Sean Nevin.

Widener’s Marc Patricelli had eight carries for 74 yards, while Lagomarsino completed 9-of-20 passes. Zach Smith tallied 14 receiving yards and also blocked a field goal attempt late in the first half that proved critical.

Jordan completed 15-of-30 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.  Antonio Harris had 15 rushes for 77 yards, and Avery Butler notched six catches for 44 yards. Defensively, both Cliff Edmundson and Quinderra Spellman posted nine tackles.

Widener owned a 238-236 edge in total yards and held the ball for 32:41.  Wesleyan converted just 3-of-16 third down opportunities and 2-of-5 fourth down tries.