Box Score OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Stevenson tightened up defensively, allowing just seven second-half points while adding an interception, fumble recovery and safety as part of an exciting 29-24 Homecoming win against Widener on Saturday at a jam-packed Mustang Stadium.
Ethan Joseph anchored a big second half for Stevenson (2-5, 2-3 MAC) with an interception, fumble recovery and a tackle for loss in the endzone to go along six stops. Meanwhile, Ryan Sedgwick tossed three more touchdowns. Widener (6-2, 4-2 MAC) held a lead of 17-7 in the opening quarter, later tying the game at 24 in the fourth.
- Widener drove down the field on its opening drive with a nice balance of running and throwing. A third and goal pass sailed wide, prompting a 24-yard field goal attempt from the Pride. Larry Eimer converted the 24-yard attempt as Widener moved ahead 3-0.
- On the first play from scrimmage for the Mustangs, senior QB Sedgwick unloaded a 79-yard bomb to Steven Smothers. Stevenson moved ahead 7-3 with 9:04 left in the quarter.
- The Pride countered with a long pass of their own, sending a 52-yard pass down to the Stevenson two. Three plays later, the Pride converted on a touchdown pass from Triston Harris to James Gillespie for a 10-7 advantage.
- Widener again marched down the field, capping its drive with a 37-yard pitch and catch from Harris to Joe Bristow. The Pride expanded its lead to 17-7 as the busy first quarter continued.
- After a penalty at the end of the first moved the Mustangs into a third and long, a 17-yard punt handed Widener the ball inside Stevenson territory. The Mustangs closed off a third-down attempt and the Pride rushed out the punting unit from the 34-yard line.
- Backed up at its own five, Sedgwick dumped off a flare pass to Tylor Blake, who zipped down to the Widener 45-yard line to flip the field. Following a third-down drop, Stevenson was forced to punt again.
- On a third down, Isaiah Snead raced in for a pass breakup before Widener pinned Stevenson at its own five with another well-placed punt. A trio of pass plays, going to Brandon Booze, Smothers and Kevin Joppy pushed the Mustangs to the 38-yard line. The drive stalled as Stevenson punted away with just around 2:20 left in the half.
- Stevenson charged in for a sack as Demetrius Salley brought down Harris. After a quick return for Smothers, Stevenson set up in Widener territory with 1:22 left in the half. A pass interference flag in the end zone moved the ball ahead to the 18. Sedgwick stepped up in the pocket, finding an open Darian Littlejohn for a 17-yard score, making it 17-14 following the extra point.
- On its opening drive of the second half, Stevenson strung together a pair of first downs. On a fourth-down from the Widener 26, Matt Goetz sprung over the pile to move the chains. Sedgwick laced a pass to Smothers, who moved the sticks down to the 10. Following a false start, the Mustangs sent two incomplete passes toward the endzone that fell incomplete. Stevenson eventually missed a 32-yard field goal attempt as Widener maintained its 17-14 lead.
- Following consecutive penalties against the Pride, Sean Sullivan shed a block and notched a tackle in the backfield to energize the capacity crowd. On the next play, Stevenson's Tylor Blake blocked a punt that was picked up by Charles Greer, setting the Mustangs up in prime scoring position.
- On a third-and-10, Smothers drew a pass interference call for an automatic first down at the eight. Stevenson was tagged with a pass interference call, pushing the ball back to the 23. Brandon Booze was hauled down in the endzone, pushing the ball back to the eight on a Widener pass interference. The Mustangs settled for a game-tying field goal as Brody Campbell nailed a 27-yard attempt, knotting the score at 17.
- After a touchback, Stevenson came up with a big defensive play on an interception for Ethan Joseph. Sedgwick fit a play-action pass along the back of the endzone to a wide-open Cory Jones, who was able to snare the ball inbounds for the go-ahead score at 24-17 with 3:40 remaining in the quarter.
- Widener worked the ball down to the Stevenson 37 prior to the start of the fourth quarter. Harris delivered a ball over the middle down to the five-yard line for the Pride with a completion to Cameron Hooper. The next play, Brennen Wright forced a fumble that Stevenson scooped up.
- Stevenson's ensuing punt was blocked as Widener took over at the 16-yard line in a steady rain. Shawn Thompson rumbled downhill for a 16-yard score as Widener tied the score at 24 following the extra point with 11:44 to go.
- Each side traded punts as Stevenson took control from its own 35 with 6:32 showing in the contest. The Pride defense ramped up the intensity with consecutive plays behind the line, but Sedgwick lofted a long third-down pass to Booze for 37 yards, keeping the drive alive. Widener responded with two sacks as Stevenson punted away, downed at the one following a generous roll.
- Stevenson's defense stepped up again as Joseph made a stop in the endzone for a safety, pushing the Mustangs ahead 26-24. On the return, Justin Rutkowski raced ahead for a 55-yard play. The Mustangs capped the drive with a 30-yard field goal from Campbell as Stevenson pushed the lead to 29-24.
- Stevenson made one final defensive stop as Mario McIntyre chased down Harris on fourth down. From there, Stevenson took a knee to seal the victory.
- Both offenses were rolling in the opening half, combining for around 500 yards of offense, which included multiple long plays of 20 yards or more.
- Sedgwick has notched seven touchdown passes with no interceptions over his last two games for the Mustangs.
- After Widener moved the ball seemingly at will in the opening quarter, Stevenson limited the Pride to just seven points the rest of the way.
- The Mustangs chipped away throughout the second half to battle back, going up 24-14 on the long pass play to Jones.
- Brennen Wright had a team-high 11 tackles with a forced fumble.
- Smothers hauled in another receiving touchdown of over 60 yards for the second consecutive game.
- Stevenson: The Mustangs visit Alvernia on Saturday, October 30 at 12:30 PM.
- Widener: The Pride host Lycoming for their regular-season home finale on Saturday, October 30 at 1:00 PM.
