By Matthew Shaffer
Staff Writer
The College’s football team lost against Wesley College on Saturday, Nov. 2, by a final score of 31-13. A high-scoring second half was the difference in the game, as well as a turnover by the Lions’ offense.
The opening drives for each team resulted in punts, but on Wesley’s second possession, it took it the distance on a five-play, 85-yard drive, resulting in an impressive 40-yard touchdown run by the Wesley tailback.
On the ensuing drive by the Lions’ offense, sophomore quarterback Dave Jachera connected with receiver Vinny Guckin for a 57-yard catch to put them in the red zone. Two plays later, Jachera was sacked and landed awkwardly, causing him to fumble the ball at the opposing team’s 11-yard line. Wesley would capitalize on the turnover and put up three more points via a field goal, making the score 10-0. Later in the second quarter, the Lions had a chance to score with great field position, but coughed up the ball again about six minutes before halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, Wesley drove all the way down to the team’s one-yard line, only to be picked off by sophomore defensive back Luke Young. Junior quarterback Andrew Donoghue, in the game for the injured Jachera, led a commanding a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
The drive took roughly six minutes off of the clock with senior tight end Vince Ratamess catching the five-yard score. The extra point was good from freshman kicker Bobby Wortman, making it 10-7 early in the third quarter.
Wesley College came down the field in six plays on the next drive, scoring a touchdown to extend the lead to 17-7. After the Lions received the kickoff, Donoghue was strip-sacked and Wesley picked up the ball for an easy defensive touchdown, making it 24-7. Near the end of the game, freshman receiver Ryan McDermott caught a 44-yard touchdown, but the Lions were far from close, as they ultimately fell 31-13.
After the College’s second straight loss, the team will look to get back on track on Saturday, Nov. 9, against Salisbury University.
