Saturday, September 21, 2013

Colin Masterson’s Interception Return Paces No. 24 Widener Football to 21-0 Blanking at Wilkes

Senior Preseason All-America Colin Masterson (Swarthmore, PA) returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter that changed the momentum for Widener, which took control in the second half for a 21-0 Middle Atlantic Conference victory at Wilkes in Edwardsville, PA.

Widener’s lethal offense cracked the scoreboard first with 90 seconds to go in the first quarter on a two-yard touchdown run from sophomore Richard Brown (Trenton, NJ) for a 7-0 lead.  The score would not have been possible if not for junior All-America Anthony Davis (Upland, PA), who hauled in a 22-yard pass from freshman Seth Klein (Wernersville, PA) to the Wilkes 26 yard line.

Widener’s defense did its job in the first half, allowing just 98 yards of offense and only 20 yards passing.  Sophomore Stacey Sunnerville (Freehold, NJ) and junior Brandon Harper (Blackwood, NJ) each had seven tackles in that time.  The Colonels defense was the Pride’s albatross in the first half, limiting the visitors to just over 11 minutes in time of possession and only 34 plays. 

The Pride’s defense in the quarter made numerous big plays, led by senior Darius Johnson (Baltimore, MD), junior John DiBiase (Mount Laurel, NJ) and sophomore Shakore Philip (Bay Shore, NY), who each plugged the line and held the Colonels offense at bay.

That was before Masterson, a preseason All-America as picked by two outlets, changed the game.  Much like he did last season at Lebanon Valley with a huge interception return for a score, he did it again today on an interception off back-up quarterback Dan Van Mater.  Masterson took the pick, eluded several tackles and sprinted 59 yards down the left side line for a 14-0 Pride lead with 2:31 left in the quarter.

At this point, the momentum was all Pride and it was a matter of time before the squad’s offense would get it going.  Christopher Wickes (Bear, DE) had a 26-yard run to the Colonels 25 yard line and fellow sophomore Robert Getz (Kunkletown, PA) capped it on a three-yard touchdown run with 9:52 left, giving Widener a 21-0 lead.

The defense was the story, holding the Colonels to a mere 165 yards of offense that included just 67 yards in the second half.  Harper, senior Dylan Ditmer (Exton, PA) and junior Ameer Sorrell (Port Norris, NJ) each had an interception for the Pride, who forced the home team to complete only 5-of-17 passes for 58 yards.

Sunnerville again got the job done with 12 tackles and two sacks, Harper closed with 10 tackles and Philip added seven for Widener.  Junior Tyler Glover (Darby, PA) also had two of the Pride’s nine sacks.

Klein played solidly, completing 27-of-35 passes for 203 yards.  Davis closed with 11 catches for 111 yards and moves into a tie with John Roche for seventh place in school history with 128 career receptions.  Senior Terrant Morrison (Smyrna, DE) posted 16 carries for 70 yards.

The victory was Widener’s first in Edwardsville since a 20-17 triumph on November 10, 2007.  That win capped an undefeated regular season and was the Pride’s last MAC title before the 2012 campaign.

Patrick Ingulli had 29 carries for 102 yards and Tate Moore-Jacobs amassed 17 tackles for Wilkes.

Widener is home next Saturday for a big tussle with Lycoming, beginning at 1:00 pm.