Box Score

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - Led by senior quarterback #Tanner Kelly#, the Lions picked up their first week one victory in three years, as the Lions (1-0) defeated historic rival Ursinus College (0-1) by the final score of 28-3 Saturday afternoon at Patterson Field.

Kelly, who returned to the Lions' roster this season in the best shape of his life, was nearly perfect on the day. The Clearview, Pa. native was 10-for-10 in the first half, and closed out game one 11-for-15 with 242 yards, and two touchdowns. Kelly did not turn the ball over one and was sacked a total of four times.

Senior wide receiver #Nate Romig# led the red and white with three catches for 55 yards and had one touchdown reception. On the ground, sophomore #Josan Holmes# totaled 69 yards rushing on 19 carries and had one TD to his name. Holmes also had a solid day as a returner, totaling an addition 48 yards on punt and kick returns. In total the Lions rushed for 117 yards.

One of the day's top highlights was a 43 yard touchdown rush by sophomore #Mike Wilbur#. The Oceanport, NJ native on his first carry of the day broke free from the Urinsus defense and ran it all the way in to make it a 20-0 ball game. Junior kicker #John Whelan# was perfect on his point after attempts nailing all four, on top of his four kickoffs for 236 yards.

Taking over the punting detail in Saturday's season opening victory was #Brooks Mitzkewich#. The sophomore punter who showed tremendous skill throughout the 2009 preseason camp totaled 204 yards on five punts. Three of his punts landed inside the 20 yard line.

Ursinus' three points came with less than 20 seconds to play in the second quarter. After a long drive, that put the Bears into the redzone, the Albright defense stopped them dead in their tracks. Keith Baker who went 1-for-2 on field attempts nailed the 35 yarder to make it 21-3 going into the locker rooms.

Quarterback Justin Decristofaro led his team with 214 passing yards and was 15-for-35 with two interceptions. He was also sacked four times as well. Taking credit for the two interceptions for Albright was #Josh Hare# and #Brett Gaul#.

Three of the four Albright sacks belonged to #Alvin Thomas#. #Jack Sayer# recorded the fourth sack for the Lions defense. #Dave Harig# led the game with eight tackles, while #Bob Harper# and Hare each recorded 6.5. Senior co-captain #Andrew Kibler# closed out Saturday's win with five tackles.

On the ground, Decristfaro also led the Bears run game with 34 rushing yards on 10 carries. Sophomore wide receiver Al Desiderio picked up 73 yards on four catches in his '09 debut.

Saturday afternoon got off to a great start for the Lions. Sophomore receiver #Josh Bakala# connected with Kelly to make it 7-0 with 4:02 left to play in the first quarter. Bakala who did not see much time last season, made his presence felt immediately on his career touchdown reception.

The Lions then tacked on two more scores in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead. Ursinus ended their scoring drought in the closing seconds of the half with a field goal to make it 21-3. After a scoreless third quarter, the red and white put up one more TD to secure the 28-3 victory. The last time Albright walked away with a week one victory was in 2005 when they defeated Ursinus College by the score of 34-33.

Saturday's win also marks the first week one victory for Head Coach John Marzka after dropping the 2007 and 2008 openers to nationally ranked Salisbury University. The win also gives the Lions the edge in the all-time series against the Bears. Overall the Lions hold a 7-6-1 advantage over Ursinus in this historic rivalry which began in 1912.

Football returns to action next Saturday when they host NJAC opponent Western Connecticut State University in their 2009 home opener. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Shirk Stadium.