District College Football Recap – 10/09/2011

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, October 9, 2011 | 9:19 AM

Some wild college games in the area this week, highlighted by a big upset in Latrobe and overtime in Erie.

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

Slippery Rock 24 – Edinboro 23
Cody Endres threw three second half touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score to Devin Goda with 2:22 remaining, leading the Rock back from a 17 point deficit. The Rock is tied with Cal for the lead in the PSAC West at 3-0, those two teams square off next week at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium at 2 pm on MSA Sports.

The Rock scored on the opening drive, Kurt Brackman kicked a 31 yard field goal. That score held up until 12:52 left in the half. Ty Stodt, starting for the injured Cody Harris  for the 25th ranked Fighting Scots, threw a touchdown pass to Nick Marino of 19 yards. Alex Romanias missed his first extra point of the season, Edinboro led 6-3.

The Fighting Scots used a defensive touchdown to go into the locker room up 13-3. Kevin Saunders fumbled after catching a pass from Endres. Devin Ghafoor from Perry Traditional Academy forced the fumble, Veuntrae Robinson returned the loose ball 15 yards for a Blue Devil score.

In the second half, Stodt was intercepted on back to back possessions. The Rock drove after the second pick to the Edinboro 15, Brackman attempted a 32 yard field, Ryan Skelton blocked the kick and James Jackson took it 62 yards to the house and a 20-3 Edinboro lead.

Endres, the former Trinity standout, started the comeback with 10:02 remaining in the third. The Rock finished a twelve play drive that took almost six minutes. Endres to Ken Amos for a eight yard scoring strike. Stodt threw his third pick of the day and the Rock tried to take advantage at the end of the quarter.

Slippery Rock drove to the Edinboro 6, Skelton forced a fumble that Keir Jeter recovered at the eight. On the next play Stodt fumbled the snap, Jack Charles recovered for the Rock, setting up Endres to LaQuan Stephens-Howling for a four yard touchdown with 14:43 left in the game. Slippery Rock fumbled on their next possession, recovered by Skelton. Romanias hit a 39 yard field goal with 8:55 left to take the lead to 23-17.  Both teams went three and out on the next possession, Endres led the Rock down the field, hitting Goda for a five yard score and the lead. Stodt got the Fighting Scots to the Rock 35 but fumbled the football, it was recovered by New Castle native Brandon Burley at the 30 with 22 seconds left.

Endres was 23 of 37 for 231 yards. Goda had six catches, John Schademan five. The Rock is now 5-1. Stodt was 9 of 23 for just 140 yards. The true freshman was picked three times. Edinboro committed six turnovers, the Fighting Scots are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the  PSAC-West.

Waynesburg 47 – Geneva 33
The Yellow Jackets got six touchdown passes from Josh Graham to stay perfect in the PAC at 4-0, tied with Thomas More for the top spot. Graham threw for 311 yards, three of the td passes went to Jeff Young.

Geneva actually had a chance to take the lead off the opening kickoff, Bryan Visengardi was short on a 49 yard field goal and Waynesburg made them pay in just four plays, Graham to Cody McGhee for the 19 yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets added to the lead on the next possession, Graham to Christian Jackson for a 28 yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead after one.

The Golden Tornadoes got on the board early in the second quarter, Rocco Colavecchia threw a touchdown pass to Zack Hayward of 53 yards. Geneva turned the ball over on the next possession when Corey O’Patchen fumbled, Waynesburg again took advantage of the break, Bertrand Ngampa scored on a four yard run to put the Yellow Jackets up 14 again.

This time it was Geneva making a comeback, Hayward scored on an eight yard run to cut the score to 21-14. Waynesburg scored late in the half, Graham to Young for the first of their three scores from six yards and a 28-14 halftime lead.

The Yellow Jackets pulled away on the opening drive of the second half, Jackson returned the kickoff to the Geneva 26, Graham to Young on a 12 yard touchdown made it 35-14. Graham found Pat Depizzo for a 9 yard touchdown on the next drive. Colavecchia scored on a 16 yard run, the former Shenango star, cut the Waynesburg lead to twenty.

Colavecchia threw a nine yard touchdown pass to O’Patchen to cut the lead to 41-27 with 11:59 remaining. Waynesburg went on a nine play drive, Graham to Young, this time from 17 yards for the hat trick with eight minutes left. Colavecchia scored on a two yard run with 22 seconds left for the final margin.

The Yellow Jackets go to 4-1 overall, Jackson had eight catches for 157 yards, Young’s only catches were for touchdowns. Geneva was led by Colavecchia, he ran for 53 yards and two scores, he was 6 of 8 throwing for 160 yards and two more scores. Colavecchia also caught three passes for 41 yards. Geneva is now 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the PAC.

Saint Vincent 35 – W & J 27
The Bearcats knocked off the Presidents for the first time in school history, setting off a wild Homecoming celebration at Chuck Noll Field. Saint Vincent took advantage of four W & J turnovers in the win.

W & J took the lead five minutes into the game. Matt Bliss connected with Brett Axner for a twenty yard score. The Presidents drove down the field again, heading to the Saint Vincent 3 yard line, but the Bearcat defense held on a goal line stand. Saint Vincent tried the bomb on the first play from the one yard line, Aaron Smetanka was intercepted by B.J. Monacelli at the 45.

Saint Vincent was able to get the ball back, the Bearcats went nine plays and scored on a Mike Kale five yard run, but the extra point was missed. The Bearcats took the lead on their next series, Huey Ehredt scored on a six yard run, Smetanka threw to Jarius Marlow for the two-pointer and a 14-7 lead at the half.

W & J tied the game on the opening possession of the second half. Dion Weigand scored from five out to knot the game at 14. Two possessions later, the Presidents took the lead, Bliss connected to Alex Baroffio for a 37 yard touchdown and a 21-14 lead. The Bearcats took advantage of another turnover, Bliss was intercepted by Dan Wirkowski, who returned it 61 yards, setting up a Joe Yezovich touchdown to tie the game. Bliss was picked again, this time by Drew Owusu. Smetanka went to Jake Smith for 19 yards with 46 seconds left in the quarter and a 28-21 lead. Bliss was picked off again on the final play of the quarter by Darius Brown, giving the Bearcats the ball at the W & J 40.

Smetanka scored on a yard run to put Saint Vincent up 35-21 with 11:29 left in regulation. W & J drove to the Saint Vincent 15 but turned the ball over on downs with 5:32 left. After the defense held, the Presidents got the ball back with 4:35 left. Bliss went to Hunter Creel for a touchdown, the extra point was blocked with 3:18 left. The Bearcats were able to run the clock down to 16 seconds left before giving the ball to the Presidents, W & J got to the Saint Vincent 47 when time expired and the celebration began.

For the Bearcats, now 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PAC, Kale ran 16 times for 92 yards. Ehredt carried 16 times for 83 yards. Smetanka was 13 of 20 for 200 yards.

W & J was led by Bliss, who despite the three interceptions, threw for 305 yards on 30 of 48. Baroffio caught 13 passes for 187 yards. Tim McNerney ran 19 times for 95 yards. W & J falls to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the PAC.

Albany 38 – Duquesne 10
The Dukes were humbled in the loss in the Empire State. The Great Danes jumped to a 21-0 first quarter lead and never looked back. Dan Di Lella was 19 of 25 for 176 yards and two touchdowns, he also ran for 90 yards. Drew Smith added 101 yards on 23 carries for Albany, now 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the NEC.

Duquesne turned the ball over five times, Sean Patterson threw for 144 yards and four interceptions. Patterson did throw a touchdown pass to Connor Dixon, the sixth year graduate student has caught one pass in 21 consecutive games. The Dukes fall to 4-2 overall, and 2-1 in the NEC.

Robert Morris 45 – Saint Francis 14
Jeff Sinclair shined under the lights in the first ever night game at Joe Walton Stadium. The former Highlands star threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores as the Colonials won their second straight and look to win the NEC for a second consecutive year. Shadrae King caught two touchdown passes in the first half, RMU led 35-0 at the break.

Sinclair led the Colonials with 110 yards rushing as well, the RMU defense held Kyle Harbridge to just 86 yards on 19 carries. Corey Neilson made his first NCAA start for the Red Flash, he threw for only 150 yards and two touchdowns, but was picked off twice and sacked three times. Anthony Howze and Kevin Parker caught touchdown passes for Saint Francis.

Robert Morris is now 2-3 overall, the Colonials are tied with Albany at 2-0 in the NEC. RMU travels to Albany next week. Saint Francis falls to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

South Dakota State 35 – Youngstown State 28
The Penguins blew a 28-21 lead at the Ice Castle. Austin Sumner hit Aaron Rollin for two fourth quarter touchdown passes and the Jackrabbits escape Youngstown with the win in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Sumner threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns. Rollin had eight catches for 155 yards. Zach Zenner ran for 97 yards. SDSU is now 2-4 overall but 2-1 in the MVC.

Kurt Hess threw two touchdown passes for the Penguins, now 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference. Jamaine Cook ran for 107 yards. Linebacker Davion Rogers returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown.

IUP 35 – Mercyhurst 28  in overtime
IUP got a tying field goal from Brent Ullman with no time remaining and Teddy Blakeman scored on a five yard run in overtime for the road win at Tullio Field on Saturday, handing the Lakers their second straight loss.

Mercyhurst took the lead 2:55 into the game, Richie Sanders tossed a halfback pass to Paris Bruener for a 62 yard touchdown. After the defense recovered a Mike Box fumble, the Lakers went up 14-0 on an Anthony Vendemia two yard pass to Ryan Bartzial.

Harvie Tuck got IUP on the board in the second with a two yard run. Mercyhurst scored on the opening drive of the second half, Vendemia to Bruner for a 53 yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead. Ullman kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 21-10. Stephen Meadows recovered a Vendemia fumble with 27 seconds left in the third quarter, setting IUP up at the Lakers 19.

Tuck scored his second touchdown with 13:24 left in regulation. Pat Smith came on at quarterback on the drive, Smith connected with Javon Rowan for the two-pointer, making the score 21-18. Vendemia extended the Mercyhurst lead to ten with a 37 yard touchdown pass to Trevor Kennedy with just under eight minutes to play.

But IUP didn’t go away, moving down the field in eleven plays. Smith threw his first td pass of the day, a one yarder to James Johnson, the Ullman extra point made it 28-25 with 3:02 left. Coach Curt Cignetti gambled on the onside kick, it failed, giving Mercyhurst the ball at the IUP 48.

It looked like Mercyhurst would run out the clock, as IUP had only one timeout remaining. Mercyhurst drove down to the IUP 26 by running the football, but on fourth and one, Vendemia threw to Kennedy, it was incomplete, setting up the final drive with 47 seconds left.

Smith was fantastic on the drive, hitting Rowan and Ben Simmen for first downs. Smith also used his feet to for gains of 10 and 14 yards down to the Mercyhurst one. IUP was able to stop the clock with a spike. Coach Cignetti this time went for the tie, Ullman hit the field goal to force overtime.

Mercyhurst won the toss and elected to play defense first, IUP started at the 25 and Blakeman scored in four plays, going in on the five yard run. The Lakers started their possession, after picking up a first down, Mercyhurst had a fourth and twelve from the 15, Vendemia hit Steve Yarbrough for the first down at the two. The Lakers then went backwards. Allen Jones was dropped for a four yard loss, Vendemia was sacked, making third and goal at the nine. Needing a touchdown, Vendemia tried to go to Kennedy twice but could not connect and the dream of a repeat for the PSAC West title and NCAA playoff berth was over for the Lakers.

IUP was led by Smith, who was 7 of 11 for 104 yards, all in the fourth quarter. Tuck saw his streak of 100 yard games come to an end, but not by much, carrying 28 times for 99 yards and two scores. IUP is now 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PSAC West.

Vendemia, making his first NCAA start for Travis Rearick who is likely out for the season, was 15 of 29 for 224 yards and the three touchdowns, he was sacked seven times. Kennedy had five catches for 102 yards, Bruner had two catches for 102 yards and the two scores. The Lakers fall to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the West.

Clarion 54 – Lock Haven 6
The Golden Eagles ran for 423 yards and picked up their first win of the season at Memorial Stadium. Ben Fiscus ran for 204 yards and two scores, he also threw for two scores. John Fuhrer also ran for 111 yards and a score.

Brandon Brader ran for 81 yards on 24 carries for the Bald Eagles, Lock Haven has lost 37 straight games.

California 33 – Gannon 6
Peter Lalich threw three touchdown passes and the Cal offense racked up 479 yards in the win at Adamson Stadium. The 15th ranked Vulcans led only 9-0 at the half, but the offense cranked it up in the third quarter, Lalich threw for 289 yards overall, Thomas Mayo had six catches for 65 yards and two scores. Lamont Smith carried 17 times for 100 yards.

The Cal defense shut down the Gannon offense, the Golden Knights had only 171 yards on the day and took nine penalties for 82 yards. Ty Watson made his first NCAA start and threw for 155 yards, he was picked twice and sacked six times. NA’s Alex Papson was held to 17 yards rushing, he was also tackled for a safety in the first quarter.

Cal goes to 5-1 with the win and remains tied with SRU for first place in the PSAC West at 3-0. Gannon falls to 2-4 and 1-2 in the West.

Charleston 49 – Seton Hill 35
Seton Hill jumped out to a 14-0 lead but could not keep the advantage as Charleston picks up their first win of the season. Ryan Morris threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns for the Griffins, now 0-6 overall. Jorge Valdovinos had nine catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Jordan Roberts ran for 192 yards and two scores for the Golden Eagles. Adrien Jenkins added 168 yards and two scores. Maurice Leak threw for 260 yards, he ran for two scores. Charleston is now 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the WVIAC.

Carnegie Mellon 41 – Ohio Wesleyan 10
The Tartans jumped out to a 27-0 lead at Geisling Stadium and never looked back. Jake Nardone and Chris Garcia scored twice, Patrick Blanks and Jared Delello also scored rushing touchdowns for CMU, now 4-2.

Carnegie Mellon ran for 300 yards on the evening. Garcia led the way with 76 yards. Mason Espinosa hit Rayce Risser for the only Ohio Wesleyan touchdown with just 18 seconds left on a nine yard pass. OWU is now 1-5.

Thomas More 37 – Grove City 7
The sixth ranked Saints scored thirty unanswered points for the win at Bank of Kentucky Stadium. Robert Kues threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Domonique Hayden ran for 86 yards and a score and caught a touchdown pass as the Saints racked up 414 yards of offense. The Saints are 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

Brian Pell threw a touchdown pass to Anthony Ritchie for the only score. Pell ran for 61 yards and threw for 100. Grove City is winless in five tries.

Westminster 30 – Bethany 27
Gino Pasquinelli caught his second touchdown pass from Shawn Lehocky with 5:24 remaining and the Titan defense picked off Matt Grimard with 35 seconds left to give the Titans the road win.

John Proano had a big day for the Titans, rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Tyler Banks added eighty yards and a touchdown. Lehocky threw for only 54 yards, but did toss the two scores. Westminster is now 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PAC.

Grimard threw for 215 yards but was picked twice. Bethany is now 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the PAC.

Allegheny 31 – Kenyon 17
Jordan Fowler led the Gators to the NCAC victory, throwing for 271 yards on 25 of 39 and two touchdowns. Brian Tamburlin had nine catches for 66 yards out of the backfield, he also ran for 53 yards and a score. Matt Griffith caught six passes for 84 yards and both scores from Fowler. Colin Hartford ran an interception back 32 yards for a score.

Dan Shannon was 20 of 45 for 243 yards, Shannon ran for a score. Max Chodosh and Brian Thorne ran for touchdowns for the Lords.

Allegheny is now 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Kenyon is 0-5 and 0-2.

Tags: Geneva, Slippery Rock, Washington