READING, Pa. -- For the Albright football coaching staff and players, the game against Salisbury is long forgotten. Despite coming from 20 points down in the fourth quarter to edge the Sea Gulls, despite getting 303 yards passing from their freshman quarterback, despite a sophomore wide receiver catching 14 passes and despite getting two key defensive turnovers which led to scores, it's all forgotten. The Lions have moved on and have their sights set squarely on Widener.

Albright will open Middle Atlantic Conference play on Saturday (Sept. 19) against defending conference champion Widener at 1 p.m. in Shirk Stadium in a key early-season game.

The Lions have plenty of reason to be optimistic for Saturday's meeting after defeating Salisbury 24-23 in the season opener.

Freshman quarterback Mike Knight overcame a sluggish start to direct the Lions comeback. In the first half, Knight threw three interceptions and Albright trailed 23-3 at halftime. In the second half, Knight was 15-of-26 for 196 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown pass with 2:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished the game 27-of-42 for 303 yards and two touchdown passes.

Sophomore wide receiver Malik Jackson had a breakout performance for the Lions as he hauled in 14 passes for 116 yards and caught the game-winning touchdown from Knight in the fourth quarter. His 14 receptions is tied for fourth most in Albright single-game history and both his receptions and yards receiving were career highs.

The Albright defense stood tall in the second half after surrendering 23 first-half points. The Lions allowed Salsibury just 206 yards of total offense in the second half and kept the Sea Gulls off the board, and senior linebacker Steve Barroso recovered a pair of fumbles that Albright turned into touchdowns.

Widener enters the game with a 1-1 record and a 1-0 mark in the MAC. The Pride rebounded from a season-opening loss to Rowan to defeat King's 43-20 last week in their conference opener.

Widener jumped out to a 24-0 lead against King's behind a pair of scoring runs from running back Robert Getz. Getz would later add another touchdown run to finish the game with 41 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Seth Klein was 24-of-38 for 321 yards and one touchdown, and wide receiver Phillip Ragona had nine catches for 103 yards for the Pride.

Widener defeated Albright 41-23 last season in Chester, Pa., but the Lions defeated the Pride 33-19 the last time they met in Shirk Stadium in 2013. The two teams have split the last eight games played.

The game can be seen live on the Albright sports network beginning at 12:50 p.m.

Albright vs. Widener Game Notes