Widener 16 Lycoming 14

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming College (0-4) fell in its conference opener to Widener University (2-2) by a score of 16-14 on Saturday, September 29 at David Person Field. The Warriors have lost their last three games by a total of nine points, falling to Ursinus and Susquehanna by three and four respectively.

Lycoming started highly-touted freshman Tim Hook (Harrisburg, PA) at quarterback against Widener. Hook attempted 31 passes, completing 22 for 151 yards, in a refocused offense that moved the ball better than in previous contests. Hook also rushed nine times for 14 yards, while being sacked only once.

Another Warrior freshman, running back Josh Kleinfelter (Bellwood, PA) electrified the home crowd just 25 seconds into the game with a 61-yard touchdown run. Kleinfelter found daylight in the middle and took it to the house. However, he managed just 17 more yards on the day as Lycoming’s offense totaled 104 yards on the ground.

On the ensuing drive, Widener answered the Warriors’ score with a seven-play 62-yard drive that resulted in a Matt Campbell touchdown pass to wide receiver Jamie Schild. The Pride missed the extra point to keep Lycoming in the lead for most of the first quarter.

However, in the period’s last five minutes, Widener executed another 62-yard touchdown drive. With 48 seconds left in the first quarter, Pride running back Steve Cook ran it in from the one to make it a 13-7 game. The tally would hold through halftime and into the final period.

The Warriors had two prime scoring opportunities in the second quarter, but failed to convert on either. To open the period, Lycoming drove into the red zone on Hook's arm, but tight end Bill Margetich’s (Glenolden, PA) fumble at the 8-yard line stifled the drive.

Three possessions later, Hook again led Lycoming deep into Pride territory. A completion to Margetich set up a 1st-and-goal at the one-yard line, but an illegal motion penalty and two ineffectual runs resulted in a missed 22-yard field goal by Warrior freshman Sean Teufel (Virgina Beach, VA) with 1:27 left in the half.

Lycoming’s defense continued to play tough, sacking Campbell four times on the afternoon, including two by defensive end Ryan Yaple (Stillwater, PA). Freshman defensive back Travis Leonarczyk (Shenandoah, PA) led the Warriors with nine tackles for the game, while Widener’s John Martorell finished with ten tackles.

In the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, Hook completed five straight passes, including a 9-yard touchdown strike to senior Billy Buhlman (Webster, NY) which put Lycoming back in the lead 14-13.

However, Widener took its next possession to the Warriors’ four-yard line where kicker Tom Laurich made a 22-yard field goal to elevate the Pride for good. Lycoming attempted a last minute drive, but Hook was ultimately intercepted at the Widener 16-yard line on a long pass attempt.

Widener’s Campbell finished the game with 190 passing yards (1 TD), while running back Cook led the Pride with 74 rushing yards.

Lycoming travels to Albright on October 6 for a 1:00 p.m. game, then returns to David Person Field for a 1:30 p.m. homecoming match-up with Wilkes University on October 13.