Box Score
CHESTER, Pa. - Lebanon Valley improved to 7-1 for the first time in program history, shutting out Widener, 24-0, in a dominating all-around game at Quick Stadium.
The Dutchmen (7-1, 4-1 MAC) did not get any help around the conference in their hunt for a MAC title, as Albright pounded FDU-Florham, 49-28, and Delaware Valley did likewise to King's, 47-21.
Lebanon Valley, reaching seven wins for just the fifth time ever, kept the Quick Stadium cannon silent as it pitched its first shutout since Sept. 18, 2004, when it beat Widener 3-0 at Quick Stadium.
The LVC defense smothered Widener, limiting the Pride to just 135 yards overall, including 62 on the ground and 73 passing. Cornerback #
Matt Lillis# had a career game, intercepting two passes for the second straight game, including a 48-yard pick-six, and adding two punt blocks. Three of his plays led to LVC touchdowns.
The Dutchmen racked up 306 yards of total offense, and had short fields on two touchdowns as the Lillis punt blocks set up LVC from the Widener 22 and 25. Lebanon Valley put up 196 yards rushing, including 84 by #
Ben Guiles# and 74 and two touchdowns by #
Charlie Parker#.
"Coming down here, this always a tough place to win," said Head Coach
Jim Monos. "To beat Widener is a major accomplishment for our team. I told them, I'm really proud, and that the dream is still alive - and there's nothing wrong with a dream."
After both sides traded three-and-outs to start the game, Lillis came up with his first big play, blocking Kevin Huelster's punt, and LVC took over at the Pride 22. Six plays later, Parker bounced off the line and ran right-side for a two-yard score.
Later in the quarter, Widener punted, but a muffed catch by #
Sean Donovan# gave the Pride the ball back at the LVC 32. Chris Haupt converted a fourth-and-eight with a completion to Justin Horning to put them in the red zone, but on second down, Lillis again came up big, stepping in front of a slant at the goal line and returning it 24 yards to stop the threat.
Lillis made his third big play of the game on Widener's next possession picking off his second Haupt pass and finding 48 yards of green in front of him for his second pick-six in as many games.
#
Brittany Ryan# converted a 21-yard field goal with 4:21 left in the half after a long LVC drive stalled at the Widener four to cap the first-half scoring.
A grinding second half resulted in just one LVC touchdown, and it was - you guessed it - Lillis who set it up. The senior blocked another punt in the third quarter, putting LVC in great position, and the Dutchman took full advantage as a #
Matt Mankiewicz# 18-yard catch preceded Parker's second touchdown of the game to go up 24-0.
As they've done all year long, the Dutchmen used clock management to close out the game, eating up more than half the fourth quarter with an 8:27 drive that ended in a turnover on downs. LVC preserved the shutout despite the Pride driving at the end, and #
Mike Manubay# punctuated the win by sacking back-up quarterback Jimmy Lahue as time expired.
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Game Notes
It was only the fifth time Widener had been shutout at home in the last 30 years ... LVC accounts for two of those ... #Alex Gilchrist# forced a fumble on a Widener punt return in the third quarter, but the Pride came up with it ... LVC had 110 yards passing combined between #Caleb Fick# (73 yards) and #Colt Zarilla# (37 yards) ... Parker just missed #Joe Brennan# in the end zone on a halfback option ... Parker's two scores make him the first LVC running back to reach 30 career touchdowns ... Ryan's field goal was the fourth of her career and third against Widener ... The last time LVC reached seven wins was 1992, when they went 7-3 ... The Dutchmen improve to 5-0 on the road.
Big Offensive Performer...
#
Matt Donley# had a quiet five catches for 47 yards, but every catch was for a first down, including three third-down conversions and a catch on fourth-and-7.
Big Defensive Performer...
#
Matt Lillis# had a monster game, intercepting two balls (with a 48-yard touchdown return) for the second straight game, and also blocking two punts that led to LVC touchdowns.
The Big Play...
Lillis blocked Kevin Huelster's punt on Widener's first drive of the game, putting LVC on the Widener 22 to start and setting up #
Charlie Parker#'s first touchdown.
It Was Over When...
#
Charlie Parker# ran seven yards for a touchdown to go up 24-0 late in the third quarter.
