The Observer, October 21, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8
Bears continue dominance with stunning defeat
The parallels between two of Cleveland's football teams this weekend were pretty astonishing. Both the Browns and the Spartans struggled offensively and were put away by conference opponents. Just like the Browns, the Spartans were unable to protect their quarterback, open running lanes, or move the ball in Saturday's 28-7 loss to the Bears of Washington University. Case generated just 152 yards of total offense in the loss while, committing five turnovers, and Spartans quarterbacks were sacked eight times. The loss was the first UAA loss for Case and evened their record to 3-3.
The one weakness of the defense was big plays, and Washington got to work early. In the first quarter, Nick Henry found wide receiver Jeff Howenstein for a 36-yard touchdown that topped off a seven-play, 61-yard drive. Henry continued his exploits early in the second quarter as he found his standout wide receiver Brad Duesing for a 50-yard touchdown to give Washington a 14-0 lead with 14:40 remaining in the first half.
The Spartans responded with a three and out, but Brian Calderone's 58-yard punt made Washington start from its own 11-yard line. The Bears lost five yards before they were forced to punt deep from their own end zone. Washington punter Chaz Moody did his best Derrick Frost impression and punted the ball just 10 yards, and a personal foul penalty gave the Spartans the ball starting at the Washington eight-yard line. Two plays later, Spartan quarterback Angelo Mirando found senior wide receiver Matt Skolnicki from seven yards out to close the gap to 14-7 after the Calderone extra point.
After forcing another Bear punt, Case took over at its own 24-yard line. On third and seven, Mirando hit a diving Skolnicki for 14 yards and a first down. The Spartans drove all the way down to the Washington 30-yard line before Mirando's pass was picked off by Joe Rizzo for Washington. Rizzo's momentum carried him into the endzone and he appeared to cross the goal line on his return and then step back in the endzone. Ordinarily, that type of play is ruled a safety, but the referees saw the play differently, spotting the ball at the Washington three-yard line.
Washington drove all the way down to the Spartan 11-yard line on the ensuing drive, but the Case defense picked up the intensity and forced a field goal attempt from 33 yards out. However, an errant snap sent the ball back all the way to the Case 44-yard line before the Bears could fall on it, and the Spartans took over on the turnover on downs. Mirando scrambled for an eight-yard gain and then two plays later hit wide out Marshaun Minter for a 12-yard gain to set up a long field goal attempt by Calderone that fell short.
On the first drive of the second half, Mirando was able to hit Minter for an apparent 20-yard gain. However, as Minter was attempting to secure the ball, defensive back Joe Rizzo ripped the ball out of his hands and returned it 43 yards to the Case 20-yard line.
Calderone stalled the Washington drive with a nine-yard sack on second down, and senior corner Santo Maimone picked off Henry's pass on fourth down, keeping the Bears out of the endzone.
The Case offense could not muster much on its next possession, forcing Calderone to punt yet again. On the very next play after the punt, Washington tailback DaRonne Jenkins scampered 72 yards for a touchdown and Case trailed 21-7. Up until that point, Case's defense had held Washington's running game in check. However, Jenkins' run put the game out of reach for the struggling Case offense. Senior quarterback Alex Harvey was brought in the next series in an attempt to spark the Spartan offense, but his interception stalled another Spartan drive.
The Bears finished the scoring early in the fourth quarter. Henry found tight end Joe Lubelski for 20 yards, and a 15-yard penalty on Case brought the Bears down to the 22-yard line. The Bears continued to pound away at the Spartan defense before finally rushing in from one yard out to set the final score.
The tired defense did give up some big plays, but the Spartans are still keeping their heads high.
"The big plays really were the difference." said Calderone. "But we didn't let them sustain any drives and we just can't give up."
Junior linebacker Nick Decesare echoed Calderone's sentiments.
"We were hoping to win the UAAs, but we still have to keep our heads up." Said Decesare. "We can still have a winning season and we haven't had one of those in a few years. We made some plays, but just not enough today."
