Widner Dominates All Three Phases of the Game in MAC Opening Win

CHESTER, Pa. – The Widener University football team intercepted three passes early and Sean McGaughey threw for more than 400 yards as the Pride downed the FDU-Florham Devils 48-10 on Saturday afternoon in the Middle Atlantic Conference opener for both teams.

“I’m happy with our guys today,” said Widener head coach Mike Barainyak. “We showed some resiliency. It’s important for us play well at home, take care of the home field and we did it in all three phases today. Our guys played extremely hard and stuck together. We’ll enjoy this one for 24 hours and then it’s on to a tough Alvernia team.”

The Pride came up with three first quarter interceptions, all off tipped balls, turning it into 10 points on its way to building a 13-0 lead. After an FDU field goal cur into the lead, the Blue and Gold matched 62 yards in six plays, capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass from McGaughey to James Gillespie, upping the score to 20-3. McGaughey threw two more TD passes in the second frame, to Ty Holbert and Joe Bristow, going for 21 and 22 yards respectively, building a 34-3 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, Widener put the game out of reach as a pair of one-yard touchdown runs by Chris Randle pushed the edge to 48-3. The Devils pushed across the final points of the game on a long run, late in the fourth.

BY THE NUMBERS

• McGaughey threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns.
• Sammy Ballard, Anthony Liberatoscioli, and Matt Russo all intercepted their first career passes. Russo took his back 16 yards for a touchdown.
• With his two scores today, Randle now has 20 touchdowns in his career.
• Michael Raczak averaged 45.3 yards per punt, dropping all of his kicks inside the FDU 20-yard line. He also booted two field goals on the day.
• Widener as a team had 572 yards of total offense and surpassed 100 yards on the ground for the first time this season.

OF NOTE

• By throwing for 403 yards, McGaughey becomes the first Widener player to throw for 400+ in back-to-back contests since Chris Haupt did it in 2012.
• Widener has now won 11 of its last 12 conference openers.

UP NEXT
The Pride is back on the road when it travels to Alvernia on Saturday, September 28 for a Middle Atlantic Conference contest. Kickoff from Reading, Pa. is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.