The Observer, October 19, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 8
Spartans capture Academic Bowl Trophy in OT
click to enlarge
The Spartans seem to find ways to win. Saturday's Academic Bowl game against the Carnegie Mellon Tartans was no exception. After gaining an early 10-0 lead, the Spartans continued to fight to win the game 20-17 in overtime. The defense held the Tartans on their final drive in overtime, allowing Case to kick the game-winning field goal in the ensuing possession to go 6-0 on the season.
The Case offense started the game on a good note, going 87 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown. Brian Webster caught a 3-yard pass from quarterback Dan Whalen to put the Spartans up 7-0. The defense held the Tartans scoreless in the first quarter, and was able to continue a great season of holding teams down early. The Tartan's first two possessions ended on three-and -outs and not until late in the first did the Tartan offense get a first down. Having the ball to start the second quarter, the Spartans took advantage and scored a 37-yard field goal off the foot of kicker Sam Coffey after an eight-play offensive drive by the Spartans. Sensing a blowout, the Tartans stepped up and had a 12-play offensive series of their own to put their first points on the scoreboard with a 26-yard field goal by kicker Colin Marks.
The rest of the half was a defensive show, as neither offense was able to advance the ball very far down the field. The half ended with the score 10-3.
The Spartans were held scoreless in the third quarter as the Tartans began to make their move. In the first Spartan possession of the quarter, the offense was unable to take advantage. An interception by Whalen at the Carnegie Mellon 29-yard line was run back by Josh Kresge to put the Tartans within one. However, the point after try was blocked by senior linebacker Tom Brew and the Tartans were unable to tie the game.
In the ensuing possession, the Spartan offense fumbled on the very first play of the drive. Whalen's fumble at the 25-yard line gave the Tartans an ample opportunity to take the lead and they took advantage. Carnegie Mellon drove 21 yards on five plays and scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run by Travis Sivek. Having had their previous point-after blocked, the Tartans chose to go for a two-point conversion and Phil Pantalone was able to rush in, giving the Tartans a 17-10 lead.
Despite having given up 17 unanswered points, the defense would not waver. For the remainder of the game the Spartans played staunch defense, holding the Tartans to many three-and-out drives and allowing the offense to get back into the game. With nearly 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter ,the Spartan offense took the ball at their own 41-yard line. Whalen was able to drive the offense down the field on 11 plays and score on an 11-yard touchdown by sophomore running back Greg Meyer.
In overtime, Case won the toss and elected to play defense. Despite starting at the 25-yard line, per overtime rules, the Tartans were unable to advance the ball further than the 22-yard line on the Case defense. On fourth down, an attempted field goal from 40 yards was missed by Marks and the Spartans took over. The Spartans' offense advanced the ball to the 13-yard line in five plays and gave Coffey the chance to win the game. With Coffey's kick from 30 yards out going through the goal post, the Spartans continued their unbeaten season. The Spartans are 6-0 for the first time since 1984, when they went 9-0, and look to continue their success at home against Saint Vincent College. This will be the first time the Spartans have faced Saint Vincent. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Case Field.
