Box Score The Misericordia University football team's second half rally came up short in a 38-20 loss at Widener, Saturday.

After punting on all five possessions in the first half and falling behind 24-0 early in the third quarter, the Cougars charged back.

Following Chris Kirkland's 26 yard kickoff return, MU quarterback Jeff Puckett gained 12 yards to convert a third-and-long to midfield.

Puckett found Tom Stelzer for a five yard gain and then went 11 yards for another first down to the Widener 43.

Two rushes by Frank Santarsiero gave the Cougars another first down and Puckett connected with Stelzer on fourth pass to set up a first and goal.

Puckett went seven yards on second down to cap a 63-yard scoring drive and make it 24-7 with 6:12 left in the third quarter.

Rob Hart stuffed Widener for no gain on fourth and three on the next possession and MU took over at their own 39.

Juwan Petties-Jackson hauled a 37-yard pass to set up a first down at the Widener 22.

Two rushes by Puckett moved MU to the Widener two yard line to set up third and one.  Puckett fumbled on the next carry, but Dean Lucchesi recovered in the end zone to get MU within 24-24 with 2:04 to go in the third quarter.

Widener answered with a five-play, 69-yard scoring drive to go up 31-14 at the end of the third quarter.

The two teams exchanged punts with Misericordia taking over at their own 41.

Petties-Jackson grabbed another 37-yard pass to move the Cougars to the Widener 22 and Robin Custodio picked eight yards to the 14.

A holding penalty backed MU up 10 yards and Widener forced a Puckett fumble and Brandon Jones recovered the loose ball and raced 65 yards for a touchdown and a 38-14 Widener lead.

The squads again exchanged punt with the Cougars taking possession at their own 18 with 6:52 remaining in the game.

Quarterback Ryan Kurtz picked up nine yards on first down and Vince Grausso scampered 30 yards for a first down in Widener territory.

Kurtz went for nine yards again on first down and Grausso's three-yard run gave the Cougars a first down at the Widener 31.

Kurtz picked up 14 yards to set up first goal at the Widener nine and took it in for the score from one yard out on third down to make it 38-20 with 1:37 to go.

Puckett led the Cougars with 92 yards on the ground and Kurtz added 51 with both players scoring one touchdown.

Stelzer had five catches and Petties-Jackson had 84 yards on three receptions.

Ben Camacho led the defense with nine tackles while Hunter Pates, Brandon Salazar, Tim Martin and Josh Mercado all had five stops.

Misericordia, 0-6, will host Lebanon Valley, Saturday at 1:00.