2008 Woodie Awards
Miners dig their own grave
Andrew Wessley
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Sports
|
Comment on this articleSBU (2-4, 1-3) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, scoring on their first drive that went 61 yards on ten plays. UMR (1-5, 0-4) did not have a chance to answer as SBU freshman special teams player Nick Page forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff that was recovered by the 'Cats. The SBU offense went on to put seven more points on the board as freshman running back Jo Jo Rawls ran for a touchdown from one yard out to give the 'Cats a 14-0 lead.
UMR's first offensive drive was short lived as SBU junior free safety Ulexis Williams intercepted UMR's quarterback Brandon Landry's pass and took it 37 yards for a touchdown and an early 21-0 lead. After another Bearcat field goal, UMR finally put together a good drive, but the SBU defense came up big sacking Landry on fourth-and-goal to end the drive. "They've got a good offense, but we felt we were better," said Head Coach Ray Richards of the SBU defense.
"That was a great series for our guys."
The 'Cats took the ensuing drive 65 yards on ten plays for another rushing touchdown as SBU sophomore quarterback Robert Clardy punched it in for the score from the one-yard line. The 'Cats took a commanding 31-0 lead into halftime.
Although they were down, UMR did not give up as they took the opening drive of the second half down the field for a touchdown to make the score 31-7. The SBU offense put any hope of a comeback to rest when they drove for another touchdown and ran almost four minutes off of the clock. Two more scores by SBU and a late touchdown by UMR made the final score 52-14.
The Bearcats offense was practically unstoppable as they racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense. They were led by Clardy who racked up 67 yards rushing and 242 yards passing along with two touchdowns.
"When Robert's throwing well we're going to score some," said Richards of his offense's play. "We made the defense respect the passing game and hit them with the run."
The Bearcat defense held UMR to only 69 yards rushing. and also recorded three interceptions and three sacks. SBU was led by Williams who racked up eight tackles, one interception and a defensive touchdown.
SBU will try to win two conference games in a row this weekend as they travel to Topeka, Kan. to play Washburn University. "It will be a hard-nosed game, but we'll be ready," Richards said. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Be the first to comment on this story