Widener football spoils Blue & Gold home opener, 27-17

Rocky Mount, NC - Widener University opened up a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and did not look back en route to a 27-17 gridiron win over North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday.  The Pride capitalized on two Blue & Gold miscues early in the game to forge a lead that they would not relinquish, spoiling Wesleyan's 2007 home opener at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.  Widener is now 1-0 on the season, while the Bishops drop to 0-2.

Widener looked to be in control early as Pride quarterback Matt Campbell led his squad on a 14-play, 61-yard scoring drive to open the contest.  Campbell was 7-of-7 in passing attempts during the drive, which was capped by a 3-yard touchdown strike to Ian Decker.  Tom Laurich's point-after gave WU a quick 7-0 lead.

Wesleyan's first drive, on the other hand, came to a screeching halt when senior Cedric Townsend fumbled the Bishops' first snap of the afternoon.  The Pride recovered on the NCWC-20, and six plays later, they found themselves up 14-0.

The Blue & Gold offense continued to struggle on its next possession.  After managing to secure two first downs on a pair of Teron Bush runs, a penalty and two incomplete passes forced Wesleyan to punt.  A high snap eluded punter Joel Creef, who attempted to boot the ball down the field after gaining control.  Unfortunately, WU's John Martorell would not be denied and blocked the punt, scooped up the pigskin, and scampered 30 yards for the touchdown.  Laurich added the PAT for a 21-0 Pride lead with less than four minutes left in the opening period.

Townsend looked to get the Blue & Gold on track as he connected with tight end Steven Burant for a 59-yard completion early in Wesleyan's next possession.  The drive ended with senior Brian Vaughn nailing a 32-yard field goal to end the quarter's scoring.

Both defenses held strong for majority of the second period.  The Bishops managed to cut the Pride lead to 21-10 just before halftime as Townsend broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run.

Wesleyan pulled even closer in the third as the Blue & Gold offense took the opening kickoff 74 yards in 16 plays.  Townsend's seven-yard TD run and Vaughn's point-after made the score 21-17, and it looked as though the Bishops were gaining momentum.

The Pride defense, however, responded by forcing Bishop turnovers in three of their next four possessions (two interceptions, one fumble).  Wesleyan did not threaten to score again, while Laurich tacked on 35-yard and 32-yard field goals for the 27-17 final.

For Widener, Campbell finished 20-of-33 for 169 yards and one touchdown through the air.  The Pride amassed only 95 rushing yards on the day.

Townsend completed 8-of-22 passing attempts for 104 yards and two interceptions.  The Blue & Gold totaled 201 yards on the ground, led by Bush's 81.  Wesleyan's offense out-gained Widener's 342 to 264 in the contest, but NCWC's four turnovers proved to be the bigger stat.

Defensively, Bo Brown led the Bishops with 12 tackles (five solo, seven assists), including two for a loss.  Jaren Wilcox added 1.5 sacks.

Joe Favinger paced the Pride with 10 tackles (eight solo, two assists), while Orlando Brown and Wes Asher each recorded a pick.  Widener tallied three sacks as a team.

The Blue & Gold will try to enter the win column again next week when they host Emory & Henry College.  Kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.