Gameday Week 09/06/03 - Game #1 CNU

Gameday Photos [click here] PROFS DISCHARGE CAPTAINS, 21- 0 Jon Berry on his way to the endzone. Berry took a short pass and turned it into a 60 yard TD. Photo by Ricky Patterson. In the Bleachers With Ricky Patterson ricky@rowanfootball.com The Profs High-Octane offense stumbled out of the gates early fumbling on a few occasions, however the defense did an admirable job picking them up and giving them numerous opportunities. Led by Dominic Tomeo, the defense forced 5 fumbles, recovering three. The All American Linebacker finished with a game high 16 tackles. Christopher Newport Game 1 Play WGLS-FM audio highlights Sophomore quarterback Mike Orihel overcame a shaky first quarter and engineered a balanced offensive attack as the Profs prevailed 21-0 over a gritty Christopher Newport University squad at John Paige Field. The offense managed to amass 410 yards, with nearly identical rushing and passing yards respectively. Orihel completed 17 of 30 passes for 206 yards passing while the running back by committee rambled on for 204 yards averaging over 5 yards per rush. Orihel, a transfer from the University of New Hampshire, completed his first pass as a Prof to Phil Silva for six yards on the second play from scrimmage. However the Profs went three and out on their first series and were forced to punt. After a punt interference call against Rowan, the Captains had great field position at midfield. The Profs Defense held strong as sophomore defensive back David Smith gained crowd recognition with a bone jarring hit on Newport's quarterback Phillip Jones off an option play. Newport faked a punt and gained 23 yards as quarterback/punter Phillip Jones hit speedster Hosh Weeks in stride over the middle to give the Captains new life. However the Captains' new life was short lived. It appeared as if Newport's Head coach Matt Kelchner was content on setting up his field goal kicker as he ran three straight dive plays to the Profs 16 yard line. The 33 yard field goal attempt was blocked by a host of Profs and recovered by freshman defensive lineman, Ed Kunder. The Profs were back in business. The Profs put together an impressive drive and Orihel got a chance to show off some of his mobility as well as his arm strength. Rolling out to his left, the sophomore fired a strike against his body down the home sideline to senior wide receiver Endre Racz for 36 yards. Racz emerged as Orihel's favorite target on the afternoon finishing with 99 yards receiving on 7 receptions. Orihel fumbled on the next play but he pounced on top of the ball and the Prof's retained possession. Then he came right back and fired a bullet to senior wide receiver Michael Ward on a rocket screen play. Ward gained 15 yards and advanced the ball to the Captains' four yard line and Rowan appeared to be in great shape. Orihel fumbled again inside the five yard line however he was able to regain possession. On the very next play, Rowan went to the ground attack as senior running back Tremaine Hill took the handoff as was stuffed near the goal line losing the ball in the process. Defensive back Josh Horn sniffed out the fumble as he jumped on it cutting the Prof's quest for the end zone just short. Historically, driving the ball the full length of the field, only to fumble at the goal line, can be quite detrimental to an offense as well as demoralize the whole team. Not the Profs. The Profs were forced to punt nine times, and they had two turnovers, one lost fumble and one interception. However the Profs defense countered as they forced Newport to punt eight times, as well as pick off one pass (Kelvin Bellamy), and recover three of five Captain fumbles. The defense picked the offense up all day and that is what great teams do. They compliment each other and do not complain about helping their teammates out. It was just a matter of time before the offense would get clicking on all cylinders and reach pay dirt. On the first play of the second quarter, Rowan defensive Lineman Nicholas Tarasevich recovered a fumble deep inside the Captain territory on the four yard line. Result? Patrick Thompson took the handoff from Orihel on a trap play and scampered for a four yard touch down run. With 14:47 to go in the second quarter, the Profs scored their first touchdown of the season and that would prove to be enough as the college formally known as Glassboro State ultimately shut down Newport's offense the rest of the day. That touchdown also revived the near capacity crowd and fueled the running game as the Profs two headed monster running back duo consisting of Tremaine Hill and Patrick Thompson would really get involved in the offense. The two combined for 162 yards on 21 carries. Hill (13 carries for 89 yards) and Thompson (8 carries for 73 yards) both ripped of long runs in the third quarter. Thompson had a 63 yard jaunt in which Captain defensive back Hosh Weeks managed to chase him down from behind. That drive stalled, but the defense forced Newport to punt almost immediately as the third quarter came to a close. Hill then raced 58 yards to the Captains Five yard line setting up Orihel for a 5 yard touchdown run on a bootleg around right end. Orihel finished with 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown. With 11:08 remaining in the game, the Profs were sitting pretty and would not look back. Tomeo and company did their part and stuffed the Captains on their next possession keeping them around midfield, not giving them any chance of being within striking distance. Both teams had 70 plays from scrimmage; however the Profs Defense held the Virginia University to 248 total yards. Newport rushed the ball 39 times for a mere 104 yards. That is good for a 2.7 average per rush. Tomeo had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to go along with his 16 tackles. Smith contributed 10 tackles from the defensive backfield to go along with his fumble recovery. Sophomore defensive end Brian Bond was also a presence, often hurrying Jones, he finished with 8 tackles to compliment his two forced fumbles. With 6:57 left in the game, Orihel hit junior wide receiver Jon Berry on a quick hitter, and Berry did the rest. The 6-2 Receiver from Delaware took the pass, faked out a defender and put on the jets as he flew down the visitors sideline leaving every Captain in the dust. That was the Berry on top of the icing on the cake. All of the sudden, with two quick strikes Rowan proved that their offense had gelled together and could score from anywhere on the field at any time. Newport drove the ball all the way down the field on their next possession seeking a moral victory. They reached the Prof's three yard line before being stopped on four straight plays and Rowan fittingly preserved the shutout.

Opening day home crowd vs. Christopher Newport. Photo by Ricky Patterson

Christopher Newport 0 - 1	0
at
Rowan 1 - 0	21
Sept 6, 2003 John Page Field Glassboro, NJ 1:00 PM
Listen to the Game on Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM Pregame Show 12PM

NJAC Week #1

2003 NJAC Standings