SEPTEMBER 25, 2004
BOB ZIADIE
WIDENER OUTLASTS KING'S 34-31 IN WILD ENDING
WILKES-BARRE -- Mike Lomas scored what proved to be
the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback draw with 1:05 remaining as
visiting Widener University posted a 34-31 victory over King's College
Saturday at Betzler Fields.
With the win, Widener improved to 1-2 overall and in
the Middle Atlantic Conference while King's slipped to 1-3 overall and 1-2
in the MAC.
The bizarre ending came after the Pioneers were
stopped on a fourth-and-nine play from the Monarch 10-yard line moments
earlier.
Lomas' fourth-down pass was batted down at the line
of scrimmage by King's tackle Tim Ryder, giving the Monarchs possession at
their own 10-yard-line with 1:28 remaining in the contest.
On the ensuing play, King's star tailback Richard
Jackson was stripped of the ball by Nick Rubino and Widener nose-guard Mo
Kabba recovered at the Monarch six. After two-straight incomplete passes
forced a third-and-goal play, Lomas took the center snap from the shot-gun
formation and promptly raced up the middle, breaking a tackle at the
one-yard line before diving in the end zone with 1:05 remaining. Frank
Vinci's conversion gave the Pioneers a 34-31 advantage.
King's would attempt to counter and moved the ball
to the Monarch 49 on a 23-yard pass to Julian Walker. On the next play,
Robert McHugh would sack quarterback Chris Barnic before three straight
incomplete passes sealed the Monarchs' fate.
With the game tied 17-17 in the third quarter, the
Monarchs took a 23-17 lead on a back-to-back field goals of 38 and 27
yards from Bobby Nawrocki. The Pioneers answered with a 13-play, 73 yard
drive capped by a one-yard scoring run from Bob Warden as Widener forged
ahead 24-23 with 4:55 remaining in the third period.
The Monarchs responded with a 10-play, 78-yard drive
which concluded on a four-yard touchdown run by Jackson. Barnic then hit
Blake Letchford for the two-point conversion as King's assumed a 31-24
lead with 0:11 left in the third period.
Widener would cut into the lead when Vinci kicked a
27-yard field goal to bring the Pioneers to within 31-27 with 11:01 left
in the game. Later in the fourth, Widener came up with a big play when B.J.
Hogan intercepted Barnic at the King's 43. Lomas would connect with Tavon
Davis for 26 yards to the King's 27-yard line. Three plays later, King's
cornerback Antonio Robinson picked off Lomas at the Monarch two to end the
threat with 8:12 remaining.
After the teams traded punts, King's would assume
possession at their own five. Jackson carried for 16 yards, then broke off
a 32-yard run to the Widener 47, but the play was nullified by a penalty
and the Monarchs were forced to punt.
Widener would take over at their own 46 and moved to
the King's 10 before giving up the ball on downs with 1:28 left, setting
up the eventual fumble by Jackson.
The teams combined for 882 yards of total offense,
with King's amassing 443 yards compared to 439 by Widener. Lomas completed
29-of-69 passes for 413 yards and a touchdown. Jeff Chick had 13 catches
for 196 yards while Tyreak Savior made nine receptions for 85 yards and a
score.
Despite the late turnover, Jackson was brilliant for
the Monarchs with 197 rushing yards on 32 carries and scored three
touchdowns. Barnic was 10-of-29 passing for 185 yards while Walker made
seven catches for 144 yards.
