In their ninth season under head coach Bill Manlove, the Pride compiled an 11–1 record and won the NCAA Division III championship.
In the NCAA Division III playoffs, the Pioneers shut out Central (Iowa) (17–0) on the road.
In the semifinals, the Pioneers defeated Albany as Chip Zawoiski carried a record 31 times for 171 rushing yards.
Widener ultimately pulled ahead with two fourth-quarter touchdowns on passes of 25 and 70 yards from Mark Walter to Walker Carter.
A total of ten Widener players received first-team All-MAC honors: Zawoiski; split end Walker Carter; offensive tackle Bob Brewster; offensive guard Andy Martin; kicker John Ferko; defensive end Tim Erlacher; defensive tackle Jim "Bubba" Carter; linebackers Eddie Fulmer and Wayne Pierce; and defensive back Ted Kukawaski.