READING, Pa. – The Albright Lions football team was unable to overcome a strong second half from Stevenson as they fell to the Mustangs 50-21 in the 68^th annual Rajah Shrine Pretzel Bowl on Saturday afternoon at Shirk Stadium.
 
With the loss, the Lions fall to 0-3 on the season and 0-1 in MAC play. This is the first time that the Lions have started 0-3 to season since 2006. Meanwhile, the Mustangs improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in MAC play. Stevenson has won three straight meetings over the Lions.
 
After missing last week's game against Mary Hardin-Baylor, junior quarterback Jimmy Lahay went 22-of-38 for 192 yards, threw two touchdowns, and threw two interceptions. Lahay went 16-of-24 for 152 yards and threw both touchdowns in the first half. Senior wide receiver Kyle Dickerson led the Lions with 59 yards receiving on seven catches, while catching his first touchdown of the season. Junior Zack Miller tallied 44 receiving yards on four catches and caught his second touchdown pass in two weeks, while freshman Kevin Zehner added 47 yards on six catches. Freshman running back Tony Thorpe scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown of his career and led the Lions with 42 yards on 12 carries.
 
Following a Lions three-and-out to start the game, junior Kamaal Stewart intercepted Stevenson quarterback Dan Williams at the Albright 43-yard line on the third play of their first drive. The Lions took advantage of the interception and took a 7-0 lead on a two-yard touchdown catch from Dickerson with 7:42 left in the first quarter. Stevenson wasted little time to tie the game at seven as Titus Johnson scored a 71-yard touchdown on the first play of the Mustangs ensuing drive. The Lions struck back on their next drive to re-take the lead at 14-7 behind an 11-play 61 yard drive that took 3:56 off the clock. Following a good kickoff return, the Lions used a balance attack to get down the field that ended with an 11-yard rushing touchdown from Thorpe.
 
As the second quarter started, Stevenson then used two penalties on third down in their next drive to counter with a rushing touchdown from Williams before the extra point was failed. The Lions moved the ball again on their next drive and eventually drove down to the Stevenson six-yard line. Unfortunately for the Lions, they were stopped on fourth and goal to have the scoring threat ended. Albright was able to force a three-and-out with Stevenson backed up, and started their next drive at the Stevenson 45-yard line. Lahay then found Miller for a 22-yard touchdown reception to extend the Lions lead to 21-13. The pass deflected off a Mustangs defender and into a falling Miller's hands in the endzone. Stevenson struck back yet again on a 42-yard touchdown pass on third down, but were unable to covert a two-point play which left the score at 21-19 with 1:01 left in the first half. A three-and-out plus a shanked punt then set the Mustangs up at the Albright 36-yard line, who would then move 17 yards to kick a field goal and put Stevenson up 22-21 at halftime.
 
Stevenson began the second quarter with the ball and took their first drive 48 yards in 11 plays to extend their lead out to 29-21 with 9:46 left in the third quarter. The Mustangs then ran a pick-six back on the third play of the next Lions drive following a deflection to take a 36-21 lead. The pair of touchdowns led to two more Mustang touchdowns in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 50-21. Albright was out-gained 279-48 in total offensive yards in the second half.
 
Freshman Jaylan Lawson led the Lions with nine solo tackles, while Stewart followed with six solo tackles, two-break ups, and one interception. Freshman Jason Smith picked up his first collegiate sack, while freshman Ryan Rogers registered six tackles (four solo) and 0.5 TFL. Senior offensive lineman Kyle Ryan became the first Albright offensive lineman to be named Albright Pretzel Bowl MVP. For Stevenson, Williams was named Stevenson Pretzel Bowl MVP after totaling three touchdowns and going 19-of-29 for 267 yards through the air.
 
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, September 22^nd when they will travel to face Widener at 1 p.m. in MAC play.