Widener 27, Lebanon Valley 21
 
LVC Offense
QB Kegarise, RB Fink, FB Robinson, WR Wise, WR Diggs, TE Clark, RT Heft, RG Werner, C Shiley, LG Fiadino, LT Amarose
 
LVC Defense
DE McLeod, DT Johnson, DT Whitfield, DE Maguire, LB Lutz, LB Trujillo, LB Hodges, CB Okomba, FS Adams, SS Jenkins, CB Gaumer
 
WU Offense
QB McGaughey, RB Harrell, WR Bristow, WR Downey, WR Gallagher, WR Reinhart, RT Thomas, RG Stecklein, C Sabo, LG Pizzini, LT Miller
 
WU Defense
DE Pawloski, DT Char, DT Singleton, DE Scotese, LB Ballard, LB Mulhern, LB Cusanelli, CB Powell, FS Armstrong, SS Jordan, CB Wells-Dotson
 
How It Happened
Lebanon Valley's fourth-quarter comeback fell short in a 27-21 loss to Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) foe Widener at Arnold Field on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 29.
 
Trailing 21-6 entering the final quarter, the Flying Dutchmen (0-4, 0-2 MAC) opened the fourth by finishing off a 10-play, 51-yard scoring drive when quarterback Kody Kegarise called his own number and snuck across the goal line from two yards out, cutting the deficit to 21-13 with 13:31 left to play.
 
The defense held on Widener's ensuing possession, as safety Zachary Adams took down a Pride receiver for a two-yard loss following a reception on third-and-6. After the offense stalled out on the following drive, it was Adams again making a huge play when he stepped in front of a pass by WU quarterback Sean McGaughey, picking it off and racing 45 yards for a touchdown. Kegarise converted the two-point try with a quarterback sneak, tying the score with 10:32 remaining.
 
The Pride (2-3, 2-1 MAC) answered with an impressive 13-play, 75-yard drive that was capped when reserve quarterback Mitchell Vierling lofted a 14-yard touchdown pass to running back Donte' Harrell. Defensive lineman Jacob Whitfield made a play, however, when he blocked the ensuing PAT attempt, giving Lebanon Valley a chance with 5:16 left.
 
The Dutchmen moved the ball well, with Kegarise running five times on the next drive and converting a crucial fourth-and-1 from the Widener 46-yard line. Things halted, however, when Lebanon Valley was whistled for back-to-back holding penalties just as the team was nearing the Pride red zone. LVC was faced with a fourth-and-26 and Kegarise was unable to connect with wide receiver Zeke Wassell, turning the ball over on downs and allowing the visitors to bleed the rest of the clock.
 
Lebanon Valley got on the board first when Adams' first interception of the day led to a Nick Bentz 30-yard field goal on the team's first offensive possession. Widener took its first lead when McGaughey connected with wide receiver Ryan Gallagher for a 73-yard touchdown down the left sideline midway through the first quarter.
 
The Pride added to the advantage with a touchdown late in the second quarter and another field goal by Bentz drew LVC to within 14-6 heading into halftime. The visitors took their largest lead of the day at 21-6 by capping off their second possession of the third quarter with their third touchdown of the game.
 
In a game during which miscues proved costly, maybe none stood out more than a pair of kick returns taken to the house by LVC return men Dre Burch and Tyeair Diggs that were negated by penalties. Burch appeared to go 98 yards for a score in the first half, while Diggs' apparent house call was flagged in the third quarter.
 
It Was Over When…
LVC was moving the ball towards the Widener red zone in the closing minutes. Trailing 27-21 and facing a fourth-and-6 at the WU 25-yard line, a reverse to wide receiver Tyeair Diggs that resulted in a first down was negated due to a holding call. On fourth-and-16, Kody Kegarise connected with Gary Wise for an apparent first down inside the Pride 15-yard line but another holding penalty backed the Dutchmen up to their own 45-yard line. Kegarise's heave on fourth-and-26 fell incomplete with 1:49 left to play, allowing Widener to take over on downs and escape Arnold Field with the victory.
 
Standout
Zachary Adams – The senior safety turned in a career day against the Pride. The team captain came away with a pair of interceptions, including a 45-yard pick six that led to LVC tying the game in the fourth quarter. On special teams, he added a fumble recovery on punt coverage and a recovery of a blocked extra point by Jacob Whitfield. Adams also recorded five tackles, including four solo stops and one TFL.
 
Inside the Numbers
- The two teams combined for seven turnovers (six interceptions, one fumble).
- LVC had a strong day running the football, finishing with 267 rushing yards and one touchdown.
- Widener racked up 273 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
- The Dutchmen defense recorded four sacks on the day.
- Quarterback Kody Kegarise was especially dangerous using his legs, finishing with a game-high 137 yards and one touchdown on 25 attempts.
- Tailback Ryan Fink also had a strong day, rushing for 87 yards and averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
- Linebackers Tyler Hodges and Brandon Brubaker, as well as defensive end Austin Maguire racked up a team-high nine tackles apiece.
- Safety Anthony Jenkins celebrated his birthday with a first-half interception.
- Kicker Nick Bentz went 2-for-3 on field goals, connecting from distances of 30 and 18 yards away, respectively.
- WU quarterback Ryan McGaughey threw for 223 yards and a pair of scores before being replaced after throwing his third interception.
- Mitchell Vierling replaced McGaughey and led the game-winning drive that culminated in a 14-yard touchdown pass.
- Donte' Harrell was Widener's leading rusher, with 89 yards on the ground and one score to go along with a receiving TD.
 
Who's Next?
The Dutchmen will look to pick up that elusive first win of the season at MAC rival Stevenson next Saturday.

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