Rainey’s romp through rain sends FDU-Florham past Widener Pride, 21-17
Madison, NJ – A 59-yard TD burst a minute into the final period by Widener RB Johnny Bauer (24 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD) got bested by FDU on its next possession when WR Josh Rainey went “wildcat” and scampered 74 yards through the left side for the game-winning touchdown. HC Brian Surace pulled QB Jagger Green (11 of 31, 142 yards, one TD) out after an ineffective play and inserted Rainey with three wide-outs to the right to open up the left side for the long jaunt. Through the rain-soaked Friday night game, the two teams battled toe-to-toe. Most formidable for the Red Devils rose LB Isaiah Turner (Rockaway, NJ, Morris Hills HS). His 16 tackles including 10 solos, 3.5 for losses, two sacks, and an interception garnered him Middle Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
Records fall along with the rain
Some slips, slides, and dropped balls by for both teams paid a price in the pouring rain. In the end, the Red Devils came up with their sixth win of the season. In 44 years of FDU football, this mark was recorded for only the third time at Robert T. Shields Field on the Florham Park campus at Fairleigh Dickinson University. One game still remains to complete their season (6-3, 4-3 MAC). The victory also marked the first win by the Devils over the Pride in their 19th meeting. WR Mike Panzarino (Fairfield, NJ West Essex HS) became FDU’s career-leader in both receptions (251) and receiving yards (2,991), as well as in his single-season receptions (92). He tallied six receptions for 75 yards against the Pride in this game.
Pouring it on?
With ease, Widener scored on it’s first possession looking as if they could dominate through the air. QB Mitch Vierling (13 for 25, 189 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) completed a 45-yard pass to Pat Downey at the FDU 14. The next play resulted in a score between the same combo. Later in the first, FDU tied it with a 31-yard pass from Jagger Green to Frank DiMattina. The two teams exchanged punts after that, but Widener PK Larry Eimer impressed Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley and me with a 52-yard FG. On a windless but rainy night, he converted the score with ease. He looked like a lock to sew up a Pride victory if called upon later in this game. The 10-7 Pride lead sustained through halftime.
Seesaw! Seesaw!
In the third period, Widener drove to the FDU 19 for what looked like an easy 36-yard attempt for Eimer once again. Paul and I could not believe Surace declined a holding call to push back a possible attempt by Eimer again. Blocked! FDU recovered at their 42. For that block and three tackles, DT Jose Caceres was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week. After three downs, the Devils punted. On a very wet night, Bauer fumbled the punt away and FDU recovered at the Widener 11. With Rainey under center (seven carries 113 yards, two TDS), he carried it across for the Devils from the one to take a 14-10 lead.
Bauer’s subsequent burst and Rainey’s long run to retake the lead ended the scoring for the evening. Neither offense seriously threatened to score again. Widener (4-5,4-3 MAC) took possession wit 2:25 and no time-outs left starting from their 38. Eimer’s leg was of no consequence down by four. S Ryan Wilson, one of two Devil DBs who had dropped easy pick-offs earlier in this game, intercepted Vierling’s pass with 1:42 remaining. FDU went into the victory formation to seal their sixth win of the season and a 3-2 home record for 2018. The Devils prevailed, 21-17.
One week of regular season left in Division 3 football
Next Saturday, the last of the regular season for D-3, Widener travels to play No. 15 Delaware Valley (7-0, 8-1 MAC). The Aggies lost to the Wesley Wolverines, 34-7, in their season opener. FDU visits Stevenson seeking the program’s elusive chance at winning their seventh game in one season. Stevenson, also a MAC member, boasts a 7-2, 6-1 MAC record. Stevenson, a program that only started in 2011, fell to Del Val and No. 6 Frostburg State. On Sunday, November 11, the parings for the “Mount Union Invitational” (D-3 championship) will be announced.
Next for CFF.com
CFF.com planned to travel to Amherst, Massachusetts the next morning to see the UMass Minutemen host the Liberty Flame. Liberty joined the FBS this season as its 130th member. Once again, we’ll have “seen ‘em all”.