The Observer, September 21, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 4
Healthy Spartans take advantage of weak Kenyon defense at home
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Sophomore quarterback Dan Whalen had 13 passes for 202 yards and also led the team in rushing going 74 yards on seven carries in the Spartan's 49-26 win over Kenyon College last Saturday.
A quarterback leading the team in rushing is not always a good thing, but the Spartans have made it work. "I think our running and passing game have complemented each other well," said coach Greg Debeljak. "When defenses have stacked people inside to take away the run, we have been able to pass. When teams spread out to take away our pass we have been able to run. Every coach would love to have a balance between run and pass and right now that is what we have. If we can continue to have that balance we will be more difficult to defend."
The Spartan football team has earned three wins to start the season each of the past three years and four out of the last five years. In previous years, the team was unable to continue on the momentum gained from early season wins because of injuries, but it seems that they may have finally gotten over that hump. The Spartans enter this weekend's game against College of Wooster healthy and showing no signs of letting up.
Coach Debeljak noted that the team has not been cautious in practice as one would assume after an injury-free start. "We have actually hit more in practice this year than last year. We still have most of the season in front of us so I think we will have to deal with injuries at some point, but I think at most positions we have better depth and are better equipped to deal with injuries this year than in past years." Lack of injuries has translated into better play. The defense has allowed 47 points whereas the offense has put up nearly three times that, scoring 131 points in the previous three games.
The game started with Case scoring 21 unanswered points in the first quarter via a 48-yard touchdown pass from Whalen to wide receiver Ryan Kolesar, an 11-yard run by running back Derek Bush, and a 51-yard pass from Whalen to Bush.
The second quarter was much the same as Whalen rushed in for an 18-yard touchdown. With a 28-0 lead the defense gave up the first points of the game as Kenyon's Mikey Sanchez caught a 25-yard pass from his brother, Kenyon quarterback Rafael Sanchez.
The Case offense was not to be outdone, however, as they responded to Kenyon's first score with two scoring drives of their own. Whalen passed to Tim Cowdrick for a 28-yard pass with 1:07 left in the second quarter and again with a 5-yard pass to Cowdrick with 12:25 left in the third quarter. Both passes went for touchdowns. Leading 42-7, the defense relaxed and gave up three scores to Kenyon.The Spartan offense scored another touchdown of their own as Billy Deitman rushed in for a 15-yard touchdown with 9:40 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans will play host to the Wooster Fighting Scots in the Baird Brothers Trophy game. Despite their lackluster record of 0-2, Wooster will prove a tough opponent. "Wooster's defense is solid. Don't let the stats fool you, they will be tough," said Debeljak.
The Spartan's have not beaten the Fighting Scots in 10 years. Their last victory was in 1994 when they defeated Wooster 40-23. A win in the Baird Brothers trophy game would be a giant step forward for the Spartans.
This will be the Spartans' second home game. After the first win in the rain against Denison University two weeks ago, the Spartans are hoping for sunshine. The game will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature a makeup of the athletic department's third annual fireworks display immediately following the game.
