OCTOBER 1, 2011
KING'S FIELD FOOTBALLSUFFERS 70-0 SETBACK AT WIDENER
Full Box Score
CHESTER – Saturday was Homecoming for Widener University at Leslie C. Quick Stadium in Chester. It is a Homecoming the Pride won't soon forget.
Widener piled up 658 yards of total offense and held King's to just 143 total yards as the Pride posted a dominating 70-0 victory over the Monarchs in the most lopsided loss in King's history. It marked the most points ever allowed by the Monarchs, surpassing the previous high of 57 points set by Springfield in 2009 and equaled by Albright last week.
With the loss, King's slipped to 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the MAC while Widener improved to 4-1 and 2-1 in the MAC.
On the third possession of the game, Widener broke through when it assumed possession at its own 33-yard line following a King's punt. Widener drove to the King's 25 where quarterback Chris Haupt found Anthony Clayton in the right corner of the end zone for the first of 10 Widener touchdowns on the day. Matt Breslin made good on the point after to give the Pride a 7-0 lead with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
Widener would again score following a King's punt on its ensuing possession. The pride used eight plays to march 78 yards, capped by a 37-yard pass from Haupt to Steve Marrero down the left sideline for a lead 14-0 with 2:48 remaining in the first quarter.
King's would fail to drive and the Pride took over at its own 46 following another Monarch punt. Back-up quarterback Tevin Campbell would use three straight runs to reach the King's 42. Campbell then hit Clayton for a 27-yard pass to the King's 15. Two plays later Haupt returned to the game and found Marcucci for a 14-yard touchdown as the Pride reached 21-0 with 13:38 remaining in the second quarter.
After a King's punt Widener advanced to the King's 38. Two plays later Haupt hit Cedrick Clayton in stride for a 37-yard touchdown. Breslin's conversion kick would give Widener a 28-0 lead with 9:42 left in the first half.
Two possessions later Widener forced a King's punt from deep in its own territory and assumed possession at the Monarch 24 after a 14-yard return by Anthony Davis. The Monarch defense hurt itself with back-to-back pass interference penalties, giving Widener a first-down at the King's 12. Two plays later Campbell reached the end zone on a seven-yard option keeper with 3:23 remaining in the half as the Pride took a 35-0 lead into the halftime break.
Widener dominated the first half statistically, outgaining King's 322-70 in total yards as Haupt completed 16-of-28 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns in the first 30 minutes of play.
Widener continued to dominate at the start of the third quarter when the Pride took the second half kickoff and marched 76 yards on nine plays. The drive ended with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Haupt to Carmen Imbalzano with 7:31 on the clock as the score swelled to 42-0.
Widener would score again following a 56-yard punt return gave the Pride possession at the King's eight. Three plays later Brendan Curran scored from two yards out to push the lead to 49-0 with 4:41 remaining in the third quarter.
King's best chance to score came late in the third quarter when the Monarchs reached the Widener 21. The drive would stall however and King's turned the ball over on downs.
Campbell capped a five-play, 70-yard drive with a 14-yard scramble, pushing the score to 56-0 with 13:44 left in the contest.
On King's next possession Kirchon was sacked and fumbled as Widener recovered at the Monarch 32. Four plays later Curran would score from one yard out with 11:12 on the clock.
Widener continued to pour it on during its next possession when Campbell connected with Clayton on a swing pass that the Widener receiver broke free for a 56-yard gain to the King's six. Two plays later Curran reached the end zone from three yards out, giving Widener a 70-0 lead with 8:41 left in the contest.
Haupt finished the day completing 24-of-40 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns. Campbell rushed for 113 yards on 17 carries while Clayton caught five passes for 146 yards and one score.
For King's, Kirchon completed 13-of-29 passes for 88 yards and was sacked six times in the game.
Matt Spencer, who played in place of injured starter
Eric Ofcharsky, led the ground game with 38 yards on 13 carries.
Chris Greene caught six passes for 44 yards to top the receivers.
King's will return to action Saturday when the Monarchs host traditional MAC power Lycoming College at 1:00 p.m. in McCarthy Stadium.
