WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 6, 2018) – Visiting Widener University took advantage of two first quarter turnovers by the King's College football team, building a 24-3 lead after the opening 15 minutes in taking a 41-25 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) win over the Monarchs in action from McCarthy Stadium Saturday.

The Monarchs (2-3, 1-2 MAC) got the ball to start the contest, but fumbled on the second play of the game to set up Widener at the King's 33 yard-line. The Pride (3-3, 3-1 MAC) needed only three days to cash in, as Mitchell Vierling hit Pat Downey for a 25-yard touchdown to make the score 7-0.

On the ensuing drive, King's opened with back-to-back first down plays from sophomore Tommy Klock on a 17-yard run and a 14-yard completion to Gabe Boccella. The drive came to a halt though on the next play, as Brian Armstrong forced a fumble and Mike Pawlowski returned the loose ball to the King's 19. Three plays later, Vierling completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Joey Bristow to double the lead.

King's would get on the board on its next drive though, going 49 yards over 14 plays after converting two third-downs and a fourth down to set up a 25-yard field goal from freshman Jack Barreras. It was Barreras' seventh consecutive made field goal for King's, as he is now 7-for-8 on the year.

Widener wasted now time getting back into the end-zone, as Donte Harrell broke a 63-yard touchdown run to make it 21-3. After 10 more points made it 31-3 for the visitors, King's took advantage of a fumble by WU, taking over in the second quarter with 1:18 to go at the KC 43. Klock engineered a 5-play, 57-yard drive that ended in a spectacular leaping touchdown catch by Devin Ringler with 28 seconds to go.

After the halftime intermission, WU started the second half with an 11-play drive that was extended by a fake punt, setting up a 23-yard field goal attempt from the King's 6. Only the Pride would fake the field goal, as Vierling shoveled to Jordan Powell for the touchdown reception.

After another score made it 41-10 the Monarchs started to rally in the fourth quarter, as Klock led a 96-yard drive over 12 plays, scoring from 10 yards out on a completion to Tim Costantino with 11:27 to play. After King's forced a punt, the Monarchs once again marched down the field on a long scoring drive, as Klock completed a 10-play, 93-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Titus Nelson. Nelson scored on the two-point conversion to make it a two-score game at 41-25.

That's as close as the Monarchs would get though, as Widener held on for its ninth straight win over King's. Klock finished with a big day in the loss for KC, as he was 21-of-33 for 229 yards and three touchdowns through the air, adding 116 yards rushing on 16 attempts. Running back Jordan Downes posed 69 yards rushing, adding five catches for 73 yards.

King's was able to get the ball to its receivers more Saturday, as Boccella led the group with five catches for 79 yards. Costantino finished with five receptions, 38 yards and a score, and Joel Whitteker hauled in a pair of completions for 29 yards. Defensively, sophomore Mando Sallanvanti made 11 tackles to lead the way, and Myles Shelton posed 10 takles (5 solo), two sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Senior Devrin Baynard added seven stops along with a sack, and Charles McCall and Izuchukwu Mozie each finished with six tackles. King's chalked up a season-high 28 first-downs on Saturday, going a solid 7-for-17 on third downs. KC was also 3-for-4 on fourth downs, outgaining Widener in total offense 474-326. The Monarchs added a season-high 26 completions, and out-rushed their visitors 193-162.

King's will now head out on the road for a pair of games, both in Reading, PA, taking on Alvernia University next Saturday, October 13 at noon in the first meeting with the first-year program.