District College Football Recap – 10/02/2011

By: Bruce Markey
Sunday, October 2, 2011 | 1:47 AM

A battle for first place in the NEC, SRU and Cal with big wins in the PSAC, a scare for W & J in Lawrence County and a wild finish in Meadville highlight the week's slate of college football.

Here are recaps of all the games, including three heard here on the Network:

Slippery Rock 27  –  Clarion 13
Quarterback Cody Endres threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns as the Rock cruised to the win at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium to go to 2-0 in PSAC Western Division play.

The Rock tried to establish a lead early, Endres fumbled on the four yard line of Clarion. Slippery Rock drove down again to the Clarion 6, but Endres was intercepted at the goal line by Anthony Stimac, he went the length of the field for a 100 yard touchdown and a 6-0 Clarion lead, two plays into the second quarter.

SRU cut into the lead, Kurt Brackman kicked a 28 yard field goal with 5:44 remaining in the half. The Rock took the lead for good when Endres hit Devin Goda for a 32 yard touchdown and a 10-16 advantage with 1:16 left. Slippery Rock was not done, getting the ball back with 48 seconds left. Endres drove down the field again, Brackman kicked a 30 yard field goal with two seconds remaining.

The Rock drove 85 yards in 14 plays on their opening drive of the second half. Josh Gardner caught a nine yard touchdown pass from Endres. Clarion drove deep into the Rock territory but turned the ball over on downs at the 15. The Golden Eagles made it a one score game with 9-48 left in the game, Julian Howsare blocked a punt, Mike Deitrick ran it back from 34 out, cutting the lead to seven.

Slippery Rock answered, Endres to Gardner for a two yard touchdown and the Rock led 27-13. Clarion was stopped on downs twice in the final quarter, at the midfield stripe and the Rock 16.

Endres was 27 of 35 throwing, Goda caught eight passes for 108 yards. Clarion was held to eleven first downs and 199 yards of offense. Slippery Rock is now 4-1 overall, Clarion falls to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the PSAC West.

Geneva 23  –  Saint Vincent 20  in overtime
It took overtime but the Golden Tornadoes picked up their first ever PAC victory at Reeves Field. Bryan Visengardi kicked a 41 yard field goal for the victory, after Saint Vincent scored on the final play of regulation to force the extra session.

Saint Vincent took the early lead on their second possession, Huey Ehredt broke free for a 54 yard touchdown and a 7-0 advantage. Geneva answered as Rocco Colavecchia drove the GT’s down the field to the 29 yard line, Colavecchia came out at quarterback, Zack Hayward checked in and threw a 29 yard strike to A.J. Delmonico for the score and a 7-all game.

Geneva alternated quarterbacks into the second quarter, Hayward was picked off by Armando Fortunato and he went 38 yards for a Pick 6 and a 14-7 Bearcats lead. Geneva answered with a 23 yard field goal from Visengardi for the final points of the half.

The Golden Tornadoes took the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, Hayward to Corey O’Patchen for a 55 yard touchdown and a 17-13 lead. Morgan Porter missed a 40 yard field goal for the Bearcats, giving the ball back to Geneva. On the next possession, Saint Vincent drove to the 7 yard line, but Jake Smith’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Sean Wallace.

On the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Geneva had their chance to extend the lead but Visengardi missed a 49 yard field goal with 12:08 left in regulation. Saint Vincent went three and out, Geneva drove into field goal position and this time Visengardi hit from 34 yards with 5:40 left to give the GT’s a 20-13 lead.

After the teams traded possessions, Saint Vincent started the final drive of regulation with 42 seconds left on the Bearcat 41. Aaron Smetanka completed three passes to move the ball to the Geneva 24 with 4 seconds left. Smetanka threw to Dan Wirkowski for a touchdown with triple zeros on the clock to force overtime.

In overtime, Saint Vincent was not able to pick up a first down, Porter missed a 37 yard field goal wide to the left, giving Geneva their opportunity. The Golden Tornadoes gained only two yards and Visengardi hit the game winner.

For Geneva, Hayward was 6 of 13 for 140 yards and two touchdowns, Colavecchia was 12 of 17 for 165 yards. O’Patchen caught five passes for 116 yards. Geneva is now 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

Smetanka was 13 of 29 for 139 yards for the Bearcats. Ehredt ran 19 times for 155 yards. Saint Vincent is 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

W & J 20  –  Westminster 16
It wasn’t easy but the Presidents hung on for the win in New Wilmington. Westminster has not defeated W & J since 2000, but this one went down to the wire.

W & J took the lead on their opening drive, Tim McNerney scoring from four yards out. Westminster, after going three and out, recovered a fumble on a punt return and marched down to the W & J 2, but Tyler Banks fumbled, ending the threat. W & J took that opportunity and went the distance, covering the 92 yards in twelve plays. Matt Bliss to Alex Baroffio for the score and a 13-0 lead.

The Presidents looked to add to the lead in the second, but Bliss fumbled at the Westminster 12, after forcing the Titans to punt, W & J drove again to the Westminster 10 but turned the ball over on downs. The Titans got a 90 yard drive of their own, Gino Pasquinelli catching a 16 yard touchdown pass from Shawn Lehocky with 4:25 left in the half. The teams traded interceptions and W & J took a 13-7 lead into the locker room at the half.

Zac Henry kicked a 26 yard field goal for the Titans, those points came off of Kyle Allen pick of a Bliss pass. Bliss was also picked off on the next drive by J.J. Nalesnik, his second pick of the day at the Westminster 19.

The Presidents got the offense moving in the fourth quarter, Bliss scored from a yard out on fourth and goal to go up by ten with 12:02 left in regulation. The Titans cut into that lead with five minutes left, Lehocky to John Baummer for a 20 yard touchdown, but Henry missed the extra point.

The Titans got the ball back with 1:52 left at their own 29. Lehocky drove to the W & J 39, but was sacked on consecutive snaps, turning the ball over on downs. W & J ran out the clock to end the game.

W & J was led by McNerney, carrying 30 times for 141 yards. Bliss was 24 of 40 for 251 yards, he was picked off three times. The Presidents defense held Westminster to minus 17 yards rushing. W & J is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PAC, Westminster falls to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Duquesne 31  –  Bryant 28
Sean Patterson connected with Connor Dixon for three touchdowns as the Dukes rallied to go to 2-0 in the NEC with the win at Rooney Field.

Duquesne led 10-0 after one quarter, Charlie Leventry kicked a 25 yard field goal and Patterson connected for the first time to Dixon for a 33 yard td pass.

Bryant answered in the second, Mike Croce scored on a yard run, Duquesne came right back as Larry McCoy scored from two out to give the Dukes a 17-7 lead at the break.

That lead did not last, Jordan Brown scored on touchdown runs of 18 and 1 yard to put the Bulldogs up 21-17 midway thru the third quarter. Patterson hit Dixon for 15 yards and a 24-21 Duquesne lead after three.

Croce went deep to Jordan Harris for 70 yards to give Bryant back the lead, but Patterson and Dixon would have none of that, a ten yard touchdown pass with 9:22 to play put the Dukes up for good. Bryant drove to the Duquesne 33 but turned the ball over on downs. The Bulldogs got the ball back with 4:09 remaining, Rich Piekarski intercepted Croce to end the game.

McCoy ran 34 times for 153 yards for the Dukes. Patterson was 13 of 25 for 160 yards, he was picked twice. Dixon had five catches for 71 yards.  Duquesne is now 4-1 overall.

Brown ran 36 times for 142 yards for the Bulldogs, Harris had four catches for 108 yards. Bryant is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the NEC.

Robert Morris 23  –  Monmouth 20
All the Colonials needed to get back into the win column was for NEC play to start. The defending champions got a touchdown pass from Jeff Sinclair to Shadrae King for 21 yards with 5:l5 remaining. Robert Morris goes to 1-3 overall but wins the conference opener.

Sinclair to King opened the scoring with a 19 yard touchdown in the first quarter. Kyle Fraizer tied the game with a six yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Pollard. The teams traded second quarter field goals for a 10-all score at the half.

Patrick Gray gave Monmouth the lead with an 11 yard fumble return. Justin Brooks fought back with a nine yard touchdown run to knot the score at 17. Eric Spillane kicked a 36 yard field goal with 7:40 left in the third to give Monmouth the lead, until Sinclair and King hooked up for a second time. Sinclair finished 18 fo 24 for 211 yards, he was sacked four times. King had nine catches for 104 yards.

Fraizer was 27 of 39 for 241 yards. Pollard caught ten passes for 88 yards. Monmouth is 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the NEC.

Albany 41  –  Saint Francis 20
The Great Danes win their NEC opener in Loretto. Dan Di Lella threw for three touchdowns, two to Cole King as Albany led 21-7 at the half. Di Lella threw for 193 yards, King had seven catches for 129 yards. Albany is now 2-2.

John Kelly threw for just 93 yards for the Red Flash, he did throw for a score and ran for another. Kelly led on the ground with 12 carries for 83 yards. Saint Francis is 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the NEC.

California 54  –  Lock Haven 13
The 16th ranked Vulcans handed the Bald Eagles their 36th consecutive loss. California has now beaten Lock Haven nine consecutive times. Peter Lalich threw three more touchdown passes. Thomas Mayo caught two of those scores and ran for another. Lamont Smith also ran for two scores.

Lock Haven actually led 6-0 on a Jarryd Burkett nine yard touchdown pass to Jesse Hoover, but Robbie Green returned the conversion attempt for a defensive two-pointer. Smith ran for 135 yards on 16 carries. Lalich was 20 of 28 for 292 yards. Chedrick Cherry had seven catches for 113 yards and a score. Cal outgained Lock Haven 557 to 171. Cal is now 4-1 overall and shares the West Division lead with SRU at 2-0.

IUP 19  –  Edinboro 0
The 18th ranked Fighting Scots turned the ball over five times and IUP was able to capitalize to send the Homecoming crowd home happy from George P. Miller Stadium. Mike Box went just 3 of 4 throwing but  connected on two touchdown passes. Harvie Tuck ran 32 times on the wet turf for 121 yards, IUP is now 2-2 and 1-1 in divisional play.

Edinboro was held to 115 yards of offense. Cody Harris was 7 of 12 for just 28 yards and was picked off twice. The Fighting Scots are now 4-1 this season and 1-1 in divisional play.

Gannon 30  –  Mercyhurst 27
Daniel Tapscott threw three second half touchdowns to Lawrence Coleman as the Golden Knights picked up the win at Tullio Field.

Mercyhurst led 13-3 at the half on two Travis Rearick touchdown passes, one to Ian Wild, the other to Trevor Kennedy. Tapscott hooked up with Coleman for a 38 yard touchdown to cut the lead to 13-10 early in the third quarter.

The Lakers tried to pull away again, former Union star Linnell Robinson picked up a blocked punt and went 15 yards to the house for a 20-10 Mercyhurst lead. Tapscott dialed up Coleman for two straight scores of 22 and 12 yards and a 24-20 Gannon lead. Alex Papson, who led North Allegheny to the WPIAL title game last season, added a twelve yard run to put Gannon up ten with 1:59 to play.

Mercyhurst would not go away, backup quarterback Anthony Vendemia had to come on in the third quarter when Rearick went out with an injury. Vendemia led the Lakers down the field, finding Kennedy for a two yard touchdown with 50 seconds left. The Lakers recovered the onside kick but were offside, Gannon covered the second attempt and ran out the clock for the win.

Papson carried 27 times for 75 yards for Gannon. Tapscott finished 14 of 27 for 202 yards, Coleman had seven catches for 127 yards. Gannon is now 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the PSAC-West.

Rearick was 14 of 24 for 173 yards before leaving, Vendemia was 8 of 14 for 77 yards. Kennedy had another big day with ten catches for 157 yards. Mercyhurst falls to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the West.

West Virginia State 27  –  Seton Hill 21
The Griffins fell behind 27-7 in the second quarter and tried to rally but it was not enough in West Virginia. Fabian Payne scored on a touchdown pass from Ricky Philips of 36 yards, then ran 91 yard another score. Daniel Butler scored on a td run of 10 yards for Seton Hill.

Phillips threw two more touchdown passes in the second quarter to blow the game open. Ryan Morris hit Jorge Valdovinos for a 25 yard touchdown, Derrick Dyer added a 20 yard run late in the third but Seton Hill got no further scoring.

Butler carries 34 times for 141 yards for the Griffins, now 0-5. Morris was 15 of 35 for 152 yards and six sacks. Payne had 138 yards for West Virginia State, now 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Thomas More 50  –  Thiel 7
The three-time defending PAC champions had little trouble in Greenville, scoring 35 points in the second quarter. Kendall Owens scored three times and Domonique Hayden scored twice as the 8th ranked Saints remain unbeaten at 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference.

Landon Savoy carried 15 times for 103 yards for Thomas More, Robert Kues was 11 of 14 for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Andrew Smith threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Nate Houpt with under a minute to play to break the shutout. Thiel falls to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the PAC.

Waynesburg 23  –  Bethany 7
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead on touchdown runs by Domenic Moore and Betrand Ngampa and a Josh Graham touchdown pass. Matt Grimard cut the lead to 13 in the third with a 33 yard touchdown pass to Johnathan Foster, but that would be all the points that the Bison could score. Grimard threw for 240 yards, he was sacked three times. Ed Holmes had five catches for 115 yards for Bethany.

Waynesburg is 3-1 overall, they are tied with Thomas More for the top spot at 3-0 in the PAC. Bethany falls to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

Case Western Reserve 17 – Allegheny 10
The Spartans won on a miracle comeback in Meadville. Trailing 10-9 with less than a minute to play. Dan Calabrese forced a fumble to set up Bethel Park native Erik Olsen for a three yard touchdown toss to Bryan Metlesitz with 45 seconds for the win. Olsen threw a td pass earlier in the contest to Brian Rice of New Castle. Olsen finished 23 of 39 for 228 yards. The Spartan defense held Allegheny to 150 yards of offense, Tim Werely scored the only touchdown for Allegheny on a 1 yard run. The Spartans are 3-1, the Gators fall to 2-2.

Carnegie Mellon 24  –  Hiram 7
The Tartan defense forced six turnovers to go to 3-2 on the season. Rob Kalkstein threw two touchdown passes to Alexander Lum and Nathan Cheek recovered a fumble for a touchdown for CMU. George Blake scored with 2:07 remaining on an eight yard run to avoid the shutout.

Kalkstein was 6 of 13 for 72 yards, Patrick Blanks carried 20 times for 116 yards. Jake Nardone added 82 yards on eleven carries. Chris Austin carried eleven times for 80 yards for Hiram, who falls to 1-4.
 

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