Widener QB Seth Klein had two touchdowns in the win over Rowan

Widener University quarterback Seth Klein threw a pair of first half touchdowns while Rowan committed seven turnovers and fell to the Pride in the season opener for both teams 19-7 at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium in Glassboro.

Typical of a first game both teams felt they are capable of playing much better.

“It was the things we did,” said Whit Marcelin, Rowan’s record-setting running back who was held to 79 yards on 24 carries, “the penalties, the turnovers.  Last season, we had plenty of headlines that said, ‘Whit and the defense do this or do that.’ This time the headline could be, ‘Whit helps Widener win.’”

Despite getting seven turnovers, the only time the Pride scored off of one was a pick six by Sean Titus that sealed the game with 3:21 left. The Pride didn’t commit any turnovers but they were penalized 16 times for 144 yards.

“I felt we left 21 or 28 points (on the field),” said Widener running back Couve LaFate. “We felt we were shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Initially, the Profs were able to move the ball but their first drive was stopped by a penalty, the second by an interception at the Pride’s 10-yard line. Widener gained 37 yards on their first two drives but 29 of those yards came on Klein to Anthony Davis completion. Finally with their third possession, the Pride got their offense going and Klein connected with Philip Ragona on a 13-yard pass play for the score. After a three-and-out by Rowan, Widener scored again when Haydn Warren caught a 4-yard pass from Klein but the point after was blocked. The big play of the drive was a 59-yard catch and run by Davis, the two-time All-American wide receiver.

From that point, neither team was able to do much. Some of the problems were caused by the other team’s defense, some were self-inflicted.

Rowan did put a drive together that resulted in their only score, a 14-yard pass from Bill McCarty to Warren Oliver on a fourth-and-12 play. On the ensuing possession, the Profs defense held when the Pride gambled on a fourth-and-one from their own 31-yard line. A few plays later, McCarty was intercepted inside the Widener 10-yard line. Rowan’s next chance with the ball would end with Titus’ interception and touchdown which effectively ended the game.

Email Rock Hoffman at Rock@footballstories.com