Box Score

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - On a cold, rainy, and dreary day, the Albright Lions (6-0/3-0 MAC) traveled north to take on the Monarchs of King's College (2-4/1-2 MAC), looking to maintain an undefeated record. The Lions haven't been 6-0 since 1997 when they finished 9-1. On this day, the Lions would record that victory and remain undefeated on the year by defeating King's with a score of 34-16.

Albright used a 10 minute and 23 second drive, totaling 70 yards to chew up most of the first quarter. The drive ended with #Mike Wilbur# pounding the ball over the goal line for a one yard touchdown to put Albright on the board, and give them a 7-0 lead.

King's would waste no time answering with a score of their own. They used a long kick return by Jay Torres to put them in good position, and quarterback Corey Lavin responded with a touchdown pass to his favorite target, Mike Verbitski for an eleven yard score. The ensuing point after attempt was blocked by #Brett Gaul#, holding the Lions to a one point lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter would be fairly quiet until #Dave Harig# returned Andrew DeRito's punt for a 51 yard touchdown. The point after attempt saw #Pat Subers# get tackled for a loss, leaving the score at 13-6, Albright.

Following the touchdown, King's would yet again answer quickly. Lavin again found Verbitski, this time for a 22 yard touchdown. The Monarchs added the extra point this time, making the score knotted at 13 with 1:19 remaining in the half.

#Tanner Kelly# took the ball for the Lions and aided by a 15 yard personal foul penalty on the Monarchs, led his offense down the field and capped it off with an eleven yard touchdown pass to senior receiver, #Nate Romig#. That catch would finish off what was a very good first half for Romig, who totaled over 50 yards in the half on six catches.

The third quarter saw little to no action, as both teams traded punts and battled for the advantage in the field position game. King's broke through for three points with 24 seconds remaining when DeRito banged home a 28 yard field goal to cut the Albright lead to four.

To start the fourth quarter, the Lions took a 3 minute and 44 second drive down the field and capped it off with a Kelly eight yard touchdown run. #John Whelan# added the extra point to give the red and white an eleven point lead with 11 minutes and 46 seconds left in the contest.

Following the Albright touchdown, Lavin tried to respond one more time, but floated a pass a bit too much and #Brendan Bresnahan# was able to pick it off and put the Lions in great position to bust the game wide open with only 10 minutes left in the game.

That moment came two and a half minutes later when #Josan Holmes# took the ball two yards for the touchdown. Whelan's extra point gave the Lions an 18 point lead in which they would not look back from.
With four minutes left in the game, the Monarchs were knocking on the door for a late score when Doug Mucha fumbled on the goal line. #Rion Robinson# recovered for Albright, and there in sealing the victory for the red and white.

Kelly finished with yet another outstanding afternoon, finishing with 259 yards passing on 24 completions. His only throwing score was the one to Romig in the second quarter. The senior quarterback also had 40 more yards on the ground including a touchdown.

Romig and #Sean Caldwell Jr.# led the receiving core throughout the game. Romig totaled nine catches for 91 yards and his touchdown. Caldwell ended his afternoon with seven catches for 116 yards. #Luke Wallace#, Wilbur, and #Tyrell Drumgo# also had catches on the day, as the trio accounted for eight catches and 52 yards amongst the three.

Kelly led the ground attack, but the quartet of Wilbur, Holmes, Drumgo, and Romig were effective as well, keeping the ball moving for the red and white and time running off the clock as well.

Despite a solid day by Verbitski for King's, #Brett Gaul# was outstanding in coverage, breaking up four passes, and also recording eight tackles of his own. #Dave Harig# and #Andrew Kibler# totaled seven tackles a piece to aid Gaul in the defensive efforts for the Lions. Bresnahan had the lone interception, and Robinson recovered the only fumble for the red and white. Also for the defense, #Jon Linn# recorded the only sack, his first of the year.

The Lions will look to continue this winning streak next Saturday when they return home to the friendly confines of Shirk Stadium for the annual Pretzel Bowl. The opponent for next week's game is the Pride of Widener University and kickoff is set 1:00 p.m.