Box Score

After a shaky first half, the Albright College football team showed maturity and composure as the Lions shut down Ursinus in the second half and rallied for a 24-17 victory, Saturday night at Patterson Field.

Sophomore David Webb clinched the victory with an interception in the final minute, while a blocked field goal and an electrifying touchdown by senior Josan Holmes were also big parts of the comeback.

Junior quarterback Adam Galczynski came off the bench and threw for 133 yards on 6-of-9 passing. Holmes rushed for 122 yards and added 69 yards receiving. Freshman Jordan Loiodice was perfect on one field goal and three extra point attempt.

Up 21-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Lions churned out a six-minute, 41-second drive that included a reverse run for 34 yards by Daniel McNair. They appeared to have a clinching touchdown when Galczynski found Eric Wade in the endzone, but the score was called back after a penalty. Instead, Loiodice's 21-yard kick gave Albright a seven-point lead with 4:14 left to play.

Facing 4th-and-8 with 2:07 left on the clock, Ursinus quarterback Chris Curran found Al Desiderio for the first down. However, Webb picked off Curran on the 5-yard line to seal an impressive victory.

Holmes had the play of the game early in the third quarter, taking a short pass from Galczynski on the right side, breaking several tackles and then cutting back across to the left to out-run the entire Ursinus defense for a 63-yard score.

Ursinus celebrated the opening of their new turf at Patterson Field, along with other renovations that including the installation of lights at the field. The visit from Albright was the first night football game ever played on the Ursinus campus, and perhaps the Bears would have preferred a different opponent for their historic evening.

The Lions were down 17-7 at the break after turning the ball over three times in the opening 30 minutes.

Three big first down pickups keyed the Lions in the opening quarter. On the first Albright series of the season, TJ Luddy found Josh Bakala for 15 yards on 3rd-and-14. Unfortunately, his next pass was intercepted by Ursinus' Mike Rissmiller. The Bears would score seven points off the turnover.

On the next drive, Albright faced 3rd-and-9 when a screen pass to Caleb Shilko picked up 21 yards and drove the Lions into opposition territory. Another screen pass to Holmes on 3rd-and-11 was inches short of a conversion, but head coach John Marzka went for it and Holmes ran off the right tackle for a first down.

On the next play Holmes, the school's career rushing touchdown leader, capped a 10-play, 71-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run right up the gut. Loiodice's extra point tied the game at 7-7.

After an Albright stop, junior Galczynski got his first chance of the season and grabbed another big first down with a 19-yard completion to Shilko on 3rd-and-long. Again the Lions turned the ball over however, as Galczynski threw a back-breaking pick at the goalline.

After a UC field goal, Albright gave the ball away yet again as Luddy was hit while throwing and fumbled. Ursinus punched the ball in from the one-yard line with 24 left seconds to head into halftime up 17-7.

The Bears could have opened up their lead after halftime, but receiver Nick Giarratano dropped an apparent touchdown on 4th down. Albright took over and soon scored on Holmes' highlight-reel catch-and-run.

After UC drove right down the field, Albright grabbed momentum by blocking a 21-yard chip shot field goal to stay within three points. They would take the lead soon after, as Uriah Brickhouse ran in from one yard out after third-down conversions by Scott Pillar (an 18-yard catch from Galczynski) and Marty Reinhardt (a bruising run up the middle on 3rd-and-short).

Curran was 18-for-34 for 193 yards and a touchdown for the Bears. Desiderio caught three passes for 63 yards.

Albright (1-0) will host Geneva next Saturday at 6 PM as part of the 2011 PAC-MAC Challenge.