CHESTER — Tanner Kelly passed his way to the top of the Middle Atlantic Conference Saturday, but the former Clearfield Area High School standout\’s tremendous performance went for naught as Albright College fell behind 23-0 by halftime and lost 33-12 to host Widener at Quick Stadium.
Kelly completed 32 of 47 passes for 334 yards and both of the Lions\’ touchdowns in just his second start. He also ran seven times for 14 net yards.
For the season, the redshirt freshman has 66-for-101 for 829 yards and seven TDs, with only two interceptions.
Kelly was named Player of the Week in the MAC last week after completing 16 of 24 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns and rushing six times for 29 yards and another TD.
Kelly, 13th in the nation in Division III passing effeciency (163.1) going into the game, is the new MAC leader for pass completions and yards in a game. He claimed second place in attempts and total offense (348 yards).
His 65.3 completion percentage tops the MAC, and he is No. 2 in single game pass attempts, as well as per-game average for passing yards (207.2), and total offense (222.5). He trails another freshman, Mike Isgro of Delaware Valley.
They\’ll be on opposite sidelines Saturday when Albright (1-4, 1-3 in the MAC) hosts defending champion Delaware Valley (4-1, 4-1) Saturday at Shirk Stadium.
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SLIPPERY ROCK — Shippensburg University evened its record at 3-3 with a come-from-behind 28-21 victory over Slippery Rock in its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division opener Saturday night on Bob Dispirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
Dave Richards of Clearfield carried five times for 13 yards for the Red Raiders, who were led by fullback Aaron Dykes\’ 25 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Shippensburg scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give Coach Rocky Rees his 100th win there. He\’s 100-83-1 with the Red Raiders and 138-98-2 overall.
Richards, who starts at right halfback, has 39 carries for 176 yards and 8 receptions for 105 yards for the season.
Shippensburg goes on the road to play Lock Haven (1-5, 0-2) Saturday at 2 p.m.
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HUNTINDGON — Juniata College broke into the win column with a 34-9 rout of Susquehanna in a Middle Atlantic Conference game at Knox Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Freshman Beau Ryan of Clearfield was credited with one tackle for the Eagles, who are 1-5, including 1-4 in the MAC. He has played in five games. Susquehanna is 1-4, 1-3.
Juniata has a tough assignment Saturday against Kings College at Wilkes-Barre at 1:30 p.m.