The Observer, October 5, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 6
Spartans finish first half of season undefeated
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The Spartan football team defeated the Gallaudet University Bison 52-13 on Saturday to finish the first half of the season 5-0. The Spartan offense had one of the strongest outings in recent memory, scoring 14 points in the first quarter, 10 points in the second, and 14 points each in the third and fourth quarters.
Playing Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf, was a new challenge for the Spartans. Coach Greg Debeljak noted that "they played with more intensity and pride than anyone else we've ever played because they feel looked down upon by people who can hear. They played, hit, and had more passion that anyone we've ever played." The Spartan players, however, felt no difference in playing Gallaudet. They knew that they had to play hard to earn a victory. "Having the National Anthem signed was unique and the sounds of the game were drastically different from a typical Spartan Saturday afternoon, but it was college football," said senior Tom Zagorski.
The Spartans scored early in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by Corey Checkan to go up 6-0, and the point after by Sam Coffey gave the Spartans a 7-0 lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the night. After a few defensive holds and one six-and-out by the Spartans, quarterback Dan Whalen led the offense down the field and passed for a 14-yard touchdown to Ryan Kolesar to put the Spartans up 13-0 and a point after by Coffey gave a 14-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the offense once again marched down the field and Whalen once again passed to Kolesar for a 14-yard touchdown pass to put the Spartans up 21-0.
In the ensuing possession the Gallaudet offense went seven plays for 83 yards, but was unable to overcome a barrage of penalties as the Spartan defense held Gallaudet and forced a four-and-out after an incomplete pass by Gallaudet quarterback Jason Coleman to Shawn Shannon.
The Spartans were unable to take advantage of the defensive stop and Gallaudet stopped Case in 10 plays. Gallaudet took advantage of their defensive stop and Coleman was able to connect with Kevin Alley for a 45-yard touchdown pass to bring the Bison within 14 points, down 21-7.
But Case did not let up, and Sam Coffey was able to score a field goal from 19 yards out to give the Spartans a 24-7 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the defense played well, not allowing a single score for the Bison during the third quarter. Up 24-7, the Spartans substituted in senior quarterback Angelo Mirando. Mirando was able to lead the Spartans to a 6-yard touchdown by Checkan and a pass to Brian Webster for a 27-yard touchdown to put the Spartans up 38-7.
The fourth quarter was much the same, as Case was able to score on a 12-yard touchdown run by Billy Deitman and an 11- yard touchdown run by Brendan Jones to give the Spartans 52 points on the night.
The Bison also scored again on a 28-yard pass from Coleman to Shannon and failed on their point after to end the night with 13 points.
The effort by the Bison was not overlooked, as Jeff Brown noted, "They played as hard as they could, as every other team has, so we had to play as hard as we could to win the game."
The Spartans are off this week and will be facing Carnegie Mellon University on October 13 in Pittsburgh. The conference championship goes through Pittsburgh as Carnegie Mellon is ranked fourth in the UAA. "Our main goal has been a UAA championship. They are the first step in achieving that. We have put together a good season so far and I know all of us are set on working hard to continue the win streak we have put together. Mellon always has a good team with good players and we need to make sure we are prepared for them, and we have two weeks to do it," said sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Tim Cowdrick.
The university is bussing students to Pittsburgh for the Academic Bowl game on October 13, so students are encouraged to make plans now to attend the game. The university is funding the trip. "I'd like to thank the administration for planning the trip to Pittsburgh. It shows great support for us and will be a nice trip," said Debeljak. Interested students should contact Chris Conlon at csc18@case.edu or Creg Jantz at cnj4@case.edu to reserve a seat.
