Gillespie Leads in Season Opening Victory over Rowan

GLASSBORO, N.J. – Behind a strong start and 158 receiving yards from James Gillespie the Widener University football team ushered in the Mike Barainyak era with a 38-28 victory against the Rowan Profs on Saturday night.

“It was a great night for Widener football and the culture that we’re trying to build,” said Barainyak. “I’m extremely proud of our kids. It’s been a tough year for them. We waited more than 365 days to get another chance at Rowan after a double overtime loss last year. We have a ton of respect and give a lot of credit to Rowan and their coaching staff. It was a heck of a contest and I’m just really happy for our kids. This is about our guys.”

The Pride got off to a strong start out of the gate, engineering a 13-play, 85-yard drive that culminated in a six yard pass from Sean McGaughey to Gillespie. After stopping the Profs, Widener proceeded to go 96 yards in 11 plays, capped by a Chris Randle TD run to push the lead to 14-0. Rowan got on the board midway through the second quarter, but the Blue and Gold scored again with just more than a minute left in the half as McGaughey and Gillespie hooked up for a 25-yard strike.

Opening the third quarter, Widener added to its lead with a 43-yard field goal from Larry Eimer. Rowan seemed to start to pull momentum, scoring on its next two drives, cutting the lead to 24-21. The Pride rallied as McGaughey and Gillespie connected for a third time in the game. Down two scores, the Profs tried to battle back, but Mario Scotese forced a fumble on a sack. Mike Maddaluna pounced on it in the end zone for a Widener score, sealing the contest.

BY THE NUMBERS

• The win was the first for Widener against Rowan since a 19-7 victory in the 2014 season opener.
• Mike Barainyak became the 13th coach in program history to win his first career game.
• Gillespie accumulated his 158 yards on 13 catches, the most in a game for a Pride player since Anthony Davis had 13 against Christopher Newport in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
• With his 158 yards through the air, Gillespie also passed the 1,000 yard mark for his career.
• McGaughey finished the contest with 284 yards passes, completing 23-of-36 passes.
• Matt Russo led four Widener players with double figures in tackles, accumulating 15 takedowns. Brendan Kearns had 13, Naraye Wells-Dotson had 11, and Scotese had 10.
• As a team, WU committed just three penalties for 35 yards, its fewest infractions since two flags against Lebanon Valley on September 30, 2017.

• finished the contest with 284 yards passes, completing 23-of-36 passes.
• Matt Russo led four Widener players with double figures in tackles, accumulating 15 takedowns. Brendan Kearns had 13, Naraye Wells-Dotson had 11, and Scotese had 10.
• As a team, WU committed just three penalties for 35 yards, its fewest infractions since two flags against Lebanon Valley on September 30, 2017.