Box Score

ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Lions (11-2) historic season came to end Saturday afternoon as they faced off against Division III powerhouse Mount Union College (13-0). The Purple Raiders also known as the Machine downed the red and white by the final score of 55-3 at Mount Union Stadium.

Albright's offense which was dynamic last Saturday against Delaware Valley College was completely dominated by a team that has only allowed 97 points against this season going into Saturday's match-up. The Lions defense however gave everything they had against the purple avalanche forcing a season high five turnovers for the host team.

Senior #Dave Harig# led the afternoon for the red and white defense recovering one fumble, forcing two other, and had one of the Lion's two interceptions. He also led the game with 10 tackles. Classmate #Brendan Bresnahan# also put forth an incredible effort totaling nine stops and one forced fumble.

For the offense, the red and white were held to 213 yards of total offense. On the ground the Lions rushed for 22 yards, while in the air Albright threw for 207 yards on 26 completed passes. Sophomore #Josan Holmes# led the run game with 15 yards on three carries, and senior quarterback #Tanner Kelly# was 26-for-43. Kelly also punted for 150 yards with a long of 59 .

Wide receiver #Nate Romig# finished third on the team in receiving with 65 yards on five catches, while #Luke Wallace# totaled 76 yards on eight catches. Sophomore #Josh Bakala# totaled 44 yards on six catches.

The afternoon got off to a really tough start for the Lions as their first pass of the afternoon was intercepted and returned for a touchdown just 53 seconds into Saturday's contest. However the Lions responded right back with a great kickoff return by Harig who brought the ball to the 50-yard line, to give Albright a second chance.

Their second chance was a short one as the red and white went three and out giving the Purple Raiders offense their first opportunity of the day. Just like their opposition Mount Union's offense did not stay on the field long as Harig picked off the ball at the Lion's 45-yard line.

Unfortunately, the Lions offense went three and out for the second time, but Albright's defense came through again as Josh Hare intercepted the ball. Following the INT, Hare dropped the ball, but luckily enough Harig picked up the ball and ran it deep into the Purple Raiders territory.

Albright's offense troubles continued on their next drive as the Purple Raiders defense just dominated the Lions and forced another three and out. On Mount Union's next drive, they went to the run game and worked their way right up the middle of the field into Albright territory.

Mount Union would eventually work their way into the Lion's end zone on Kurt Rocco diving play to give the Purple Raiders a 14-0 lead with 1:35 to play in the opening quarter. Showing some signs of life in the final seconds of the quarter Romig picked up the Lions first, first down of the day on a 16-yard pass.

The Lions momentum would not last as they were forced to punt the ball away, but on the Purple Raiders first play of the second quarter, the red and white forced a fumble to give them great field position. Forcing the fumble for Albright was #Chris Meccariello#, with #Jon Linn# picking up the loose ball at Mount Union's 36-yard line.

Albright's offense would pick up just 27 yards before turning to kicker #John Whelan# who nailed a field goal to make it 14-3 with 8:57 in the second quarter. However the Lions momentum was short lived as the Purple Raiders covered 76 yards on 10 plays to make it 21-3 on a Morring one yard rushing TD.

It would not take long for Morring to find the end zone before the end of the first half, following a fumbled kick return. With 1:19 left in the half, the Morring powered through the Lion's defense for a three yard TD run to make it 28-3.

Looking to close the gap on the scoreboard the Lions put together their best drive of the day, but their efforts fell just short in the closing seconds of the first half leaving the score at 28-3 in favor of the Purple Raiders.

Morring continued his dominant play to start the third quarter on a 45-yard touchdown reception to extend their lead to 35-3. The Purple avalanche continued to roll just moments later following a fumbled kickoff return by Albright. Less than two minutes later Mount Union's onslaught continued with the third Morring rushing TD of the day to make it 42-3.

Starting to show signs of life, the Lions looked to their passing game as a momentum builder, putting together another solid drive moving inside the Purple Raiders 10-yard line. On a fourth and goal opportunity the Lions looked to Josh Bakala in the far corner of the end zone, but were unable to get the score.

Taking over on downs Mount Union continued to move the chains up the sideline, and on a play action fake, the Purple Raiders found the end zone again on a 68-yard pass to Vince Petruziello to go up 48-3.

After exchanging turnovers first on a Mount Union interception and an Albright fumble recovery by Harig, both teams found themselves in a stalemate in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter saw little offensive production on either side of the field. The Lions tried to battle through but were unable find a crucial offensive spark. However Albright's defense continued to play hard forcing another fumble in the final four minutes of the contest. Recovering the turnover was Hare to give Albright a little light.

Unfortunately, on the very first play of the Lions new drive Albright fumbled the ball in the end zone where it was then recovered by the Purple Raiders making it 55-3. The Purple Raiders would run out the clock, knowing that they will host Wesley College next Saturday at Mount Union Stadium in the NCAA Semi-Finals.

Despite the loss, the Lions have no reason to hand their head having recorded more wins than any other team in program history. Romig now stands as the all-time leader in career points and touchdown receptions, and the Lions had a solid showing with 10 all-conference selections and the conference's offensive player of year.