Box Score

The Lycoming Warriors scored 29 straight points to erase a promising Lion start as the Albright College football team lost 29-14, Saturday in the 62nd annual Pretzel Bowl.

Both teams struggled to move the ball as defenses were stout throughout. Albright's Nick Gjoni (4 tackles for loss, forced fumble) and Lycoming's Kabongo Bukasa (6 tackles, game-clinching strip) were rewarded with Game MVP honors.

The Lions totaled just 40 yards on the ground and 247 total. Lycoming had 243 yards of total offense but held the ball for almost 31 of 45 minutes after a first quarter that was all Albright.

Seniors Caleb Shilko (5 catches, 69 yards) and Scott Pillar (5 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD) were the game's leading receivers. Quarterback TJ Luddy completed 12-of-18 passes and had two touchdowns, but still suffered through a rough day with three interceptions.

Lycoming's statistical leaders didn't put up big yardage but made plays when it counted. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Jenny was 11-for-17 for 75 yards and two scores. Jarrin Campman caught five balls for 30 yards and two TDs, and Parker Showers rushed for 70 yards and found the end zone once.

Pillar took a rare handoff out of the backfield for a first down on the game's first play, then caught two passes for a total of 30 yards to erase a 1st-and-20. Freshman kicker Daniel Sobolewski attempted to match his school record kick of 47 yards and had plenty of leg, but missed wide right by inches.

Although Albright went away empty-handed, they would come back with seven points on each of their next two possessions. Shilko made a diving, 35-yard catch as the Lions drove to a 4th-and-1 on the Lycoming 11-yard line. Luddy threw up a fade that Pillar came down with for a 7-0 lead.

Mark Krisak then blocked Zach Czap's punt and Eric Wade made a diving catch in the end zone, early in the second quarter.

The Warriors seized momentum and began their dominance of the clock however with a 14-play, 7:30 scoring drive that consisted entirely of rushes. Lycoming converted a 4th-and-1 with a play action pass on their next drive, and scored a few plays later to trail 14-13 at halftime.

The Albright offense fell off in the second half, as Luddy threw a pair of interceptions that were returned to the two-yard line (by Tanner Troutman and Matt Talerico).

Down 19-14, Luddy converted a big third down pickup to Wade, and then found Shilko in traffic on another key third down. Luddy didn't see the spy on the next play however, as Kyle Sullivan undercut his pass for another turnover.

Czap split the uprights from 39 yards out to make it 22-14, and Talerico's pick set up a touchdown that made it a two-score game. Bukoso forced a fumble with six minutes left to ice the game.

Albright suffers its first loss of the season and falls to 3-1, 2-1. Lycoming is 3-1, 3-0 and shares first place with Widener (a 90-0 victor over Wilkes today). The Lions face huge road test at Delaware Valley next Saturday, needing a win to keep pace with the league leaders.