Reading, Pa. (September 11, 2026) - Alvernia University (0-1) looks to bounce back after a heartbreaking season opening loss to Keystone College (1-0) as they travel to Chester, Pa. to take on MAC foe Widener University (0-1) at 1:00 PM on Saturday at Widener's Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
The Pride hold the series all time against the Golden Wolves with a 1-6 record versus Alvernia. Alvernia's lone win came back in 2022 in Chester when they defeated the Pride 19-16. Widener's previous six victories over Alvernia came with an average margin of victory of 31 points.
The Golden Wolves head into the weekend after a heartbreaking loss as time expired against Keystone College last Friday night, 25-21. The Pride heads into the weekend coming off a 21-14 loss to Geneva College after allowing all 21 points in the second half.
Scouting the Golden Wolves:
Despite the loss in week one to Keystone, the Golden Wolves still put up good numbers offensively against the Giants. Alvernia recorded 336 yards of total offense with 229 coming in the passing game and 107 on the ground. Alvernia only eclipsed 200 yards passing once in 2025 which came against Delaware Valley, and it was also the only game Alvernia threw for over 200 yards and ran for over 100.
Of Alvernia's three touchdown drives in week one, two of them came as 70 plus yard scoring drives with a seven play, 73 yard scoring drive and a ten play, 80 yard drive in the fourth quarter. Although the offense stalled in the middle third of the game, Alvernia showed signs of what its offense is capable of and the drives it can sustain even with a young quarterback in charge.
Alvernia will look to lean on their defense in what is poised to be a tough battle between the Pride and the Golden Wolves. Although the Golden Wolves defense allowed over 300 yards of total offense against Keystone, the Alvernia defense stepped up and recorded eight tackles for a loss for a total of 40 yards and recorded five sacks for a total of 35 yards. Both Alvernia's eight tackles for a loss and the five sacks are more than the defense produced in a single game last year.
Alvernia Keys to the Game:
Protect the Football:
The Golden Wolves did not turn the ball over in the air in week one, but did put two fumbles on the ground against Keystone and lost both of them. Look for the Golden Wolves to sure up their ball security in the run game in week two against the Pride. First year quarterback Sawyer Esbenshade will also have to be careful through the passing game this weekend as he will be facing off against a Widener secondary that tallied three interceptions against Geneva last week including taking one back for a touchdown.
Stop the Run Game:
Alvernia's defense held strong in the run game in week one against the Giants and held Keystone to just 66 rushing yards on 29 attempts. The Golden Wolves defense matches up against a Widener team that rushed for only 74 yards last week on 32 attempts. Look for the Golden Wolves to lock down the Pride on the ground and force them to pivot to the passing game, something Widener struggled with in week one. Widener completed less than half of the passes they attempted and only recorded 166 yards through the air. If the Golden Wolves can limit the success Widener has on the ground, they must lock down the passing game as well.
Success Through the Air:
The Golden Wolves posted 229 yards of offense through the passing game last Friday night including two touchdowns without throwing an interception. The Pride defense held strong against Geneva in the run game last week and allowed just 64 yards on the ground, forcing Geneva to throw the football, which they did with success. The Pride defense allowed 335 yards through the air and 25 completions at a 13.4 average yards per completion rate but did force three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. If the Golden Wolves struggle to get the run game going, look for them to attack the Pride through the passing game, but first year quarterback Sawyer Esbenshade must protect the football as the Widener secondary proved last week that they can force turnovers in the pass game.
Capitalize on Field Position:
Three of Alvernia's first four drives of the game against Keystone came in Keystone territory and all of them started inside the Giants' 35 yard line, yet the Golden Wolves were unable to capitalize and turn those drives into points. All three of Alvernia's touchdowns in week one were scored on 60 plus yard drives and although that is promising from an offensive sustainability standpoint, look for the Golden Wolves to capitalize on short field opportunities Saturday against the Pride and turn those short fields into points.
Alvernia Players to Watch:
Sawyer Esbenshade:
First year quarterback Sawyer Esbenshade looked the part in his collegiate debut last week with a solid performance against Keystone. Esbenshade completed 22 of 35 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were to receiver Yon Anderson. Esbenshade's 229 yards is the second most by an Alvernia quarterback in his debut and is the most passing yards in a single game since the 2024 season. Most importantly, Esbenshade did not throw an interception in week one, but he will face off against a secondary that picked off Geneva three times in week one, including one for a touchdown. If Esbenshade can protect the football and limit mistakes, look for him to have a big day through the air against a defense that allowed 335 passing yards in week one.
Tommy DiGregorio
DiGregorio, a sophomore defensive end, made his mark on Friday's contest against Keystone and helped anchor the Alvernia defensive line with six total tackles including two for a loss and two sacks. DiGregorio and the rest of the Alvernia defensive line has the opportunity to have a massive impact on Saturday's game as they will be facing off against a Widener offensive line that allowed five sacks and ten tackles for a loss against Geneva. Look for DiGregorio to lead the line for the Golden Wolves to shut down the Widener run game and make big time plays in the Pride backfield.
Keigan Barnes
Barnes did a little bit of everything in week one and tallied 105 total all purpose yards against the Giants. Most of those yards came in the return game after he ripped off a 55 yard kickoff return to put the Golden Wolves in prime field position in the first quarter. Barnes totaled 70 return yards and also helped out on the offensive side of the ball, catching a team high five passes for 30 yards and rushed the ball three times. Look for Barnes and the Golden Wolves to be explosive in the return game against the Pride and look to get into plus field position via the special teams unit, but do not sleep on his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and break a few for chunk plays.
Frank Billings
Billings, a junior wide receiver, totaled 83 yards on four receptions in week one to lead the Golden Wolves including a 44 yard reception. In an offense that saw five receivers catch more than one pass and had four of them catch four or more passes, look for Esbenshade to find the shifty Billings in the slot with catch and run ability. After teammate Yon Anderson hauled in two touchdowns for the Golden Wolves against Keystone, Widener will be sure to try and lock Anderson down, allowing for Billings to get open and impact the game.
Scouting the Pride:
The Prides dropped their week one matchup to Geneva, 21-14, and allowed all 21 points in the second half of play. Although the Pride only fell short by a touchdown, they allowed nearly 400 yards of total offense, 335 of which came in the passing game. Even allowing over 300 yards through the air, the Pride secondary still managed to grab three takeaways and even took one interception back for a touchdown. Along with that, the defensive line for Widener also showed up and held Geneva to just 64 rushing yards on 27 attempts. They did allow two of Geneva's three touchdowns to come via the ground game but for a total of just three yards.
Widener Players to Watch:
Jaelen Richardson (Wide Receiver)
Richardson led the Pride in receiving in week one with four receptions for 94 yards and Widener's only offensive touchdown. Richardson's touchdown came on a 70 yard pitch and catch with quarterback Corey Schock. If the Pride have success through the air on Saturday, look for it to come through Richardson.
Luke Shaeffer (Defensive Back)
Shaeffer led the Widener secondary with two interceptions in week one and also recorded a team high 11 tackles. The senior defensive back will need to be a presence in the secondary for the Pride against a Golden Wolves team that will look to find success in the pass game.
Asa McMillan (Defensive Back)
Along with teammate Shaeffer, McMillan also tallied a pick against Geneva and followed Shaeffer with nine total tackles. McMillan also took his interception back for a touchdown for the Pride. Look out for McMillan and Shaeffer in the Widener secondary as they have proven they are capable of making big time plays in the pass game and are also willing to step up and stop the run.
Ryan Caloiaro (Linebacker)
Caloiaro recorded two and a half tackles for a loss in week one for the Pride and also recorded half of a sack. The junior linebacker helped anchor the Pride's run defense in week one, if they are able to replicate the same this week against Alvernia, look for Caloiaro to be at the front of the defense.
Game Information:
Kickoff between the Golden Wolves and the Pride is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday on Widener's Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
Tickets are being sold through HUDL ticketing and are available here.
NOTE: Ticketing at the stadium will be CASHLESS.
The game will be broadcasted live on MACTV and is available here.
Live stats for the game are linked here.
