Wolverines Win at Homecoming
Dover, Del. - The fifth ranked Wesley College Wolverines (5-0) didn't disappoint their boisterous homecoming crowd, demolishing visiting Frostburg State University (0-5) 44-19. Wesley quarterback, Shane McSweeney (Bensalem, Pa.) tied a school record with 6 touchdown passes in the victory. Three of those scores went to favorite wide out Ellis Krout (Dallas, Texas) giving him 10 on the season.
Wesley scored early and often in the first half. McSweeney finished off the first Wesley possession with his 1st touchdown pass of the game, a 22-yarder to Gene Knight (Baltimore, Md.). Collin Blugis added the extra point giving Wesley the early 7-0 lead with only 7:15 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wolverines got their second chance at the Bobcat goal line thanks to an interception by Marcus Wilson (Pennsauken, N.J.) who returned it 16 yards to the FSU 19 yard line. Three plays later, McSweeney hooked up with Krout on an 8-yard fade to the corner of the endzone giving Wesley a 14-0 with 4:55 left in the quarter.
Wesley wasn't done scoring in the quarter. On their next possession, McSweeney set up a timely screen pass to Brandon Wright (Clayton, N.J.) who then bobbed and weaved his way to a 37-yard touchdown. Blugis added the extra point giving the Wolverines a healthy 21-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
Wesley's defense continued to shut down the Bobcat offense in the second quarter. Wolverine linebacker, Jeff Morgan (Vineland, N.J.) stepped in front of another errant pass from FSU quarterback Josh Volpe. Morgan's pick was timely considering the Bobcats had driven to the Wesley 25 yard line, the deepest into Wolverine territory at that time. Morgan returned the pick to the Wesley 40 yard line where the offense took over once again.
Two plays after a 36 yard completion to Knight, McSweeney tossed his second touchdown to Krout, this one a 25 yard strike to put Wesley up 28-0 with addition of Blugis' PAT with 7:40 remaining in the half.
McSweeney had a little rabbit's foot in his pocket on the next touchdown pass, an 87 yarder to tight end Sean McAndrew (Lanoka Harbor, N.J.). Just able to avoid the rush, McSweeney moved to his right and launched the ball just as he was getting hit. McAndrew out dueled an FSU defensive back for the jump ball and when he came down was dislodged from the coverage by another hit. McAndrew then avoided two tacklers by cutting two different ways and then protected the ball from a strip attempt and then outlasted the defensive effort by the Bobcats to cross the goal line.
Wesley had the ball at the FSU 33 yard line near the end of the half, but was unable to find the endzone giving the ball over on downs. At half, McSweeney had tossed 5 touchdowns to four different receivers and Wesley held a strong 34-0 going into the locker room.
The second half wasn't quite the same showcase of talent and discipline for the Wolverines. Wesley allowed their first turn over of the game and subsequent score when Wright lost the ball in the backfield with the Bobcats pouncing on it at the Wesley 44. Two plays later FSU was on the board with a 47 yard touchdown toss from Volpe to Makiha Cooper.
The Wolverines did answer the score with a 31 yard field goal by Blugis, but FSU picked up a little confidence with the score. On their ensuing possession, the Bobcats strutted to a 14 play, 85 yard drive ending with their second score of the game when Volpe found Ali Konteh in the endzone for a 12 yard touchdown. The PAT failed, but the score pulled them closer at 37-13.
Homecoming fans looked a bit bewildered one play later as McSweeney tossed an uncharacteristic interception on the first play on the following drive. Bobcat safety Jim Lohr played the ball just right to haul in the McSweeney offering at the FSU 33 yard line.
On the Bobcats' first play, Volpe found Cooper for a quick 64 yard pick up to the Wesley 3 yard line. Three plays later, Volpe again found paydirt with Konteh, this time from 10 yards out bring the score closer yet at 37-19 with 5:58 left in the game.
Wesley wasn't done though, pinning their ears back ripping off an 8 play 75 yard march ending with the third hookup between McSweeney and Krout with 3:54 left giving the game its final tally.
Despite two turnovers, the Wolverines tore up the Bobcat defense with 552 yards of total offense.
Defensively for the Wolverines, linebacker, Mike Asiedu (Yonkers, N.Y.) lef the team with 9 tackles (3 solo). Wesley also put a lot of pressure on Volpe hitting him on many occasion and sacking him 4 times on the day. Defensive linemen, Mike Ward (Norwich, Conn.) and Chris Mayes (Waldorf, Md.) shared in 1.5 sack each and even had 7 tackles each.
Notes:
Not only did Wesley quarterback Shane McSweeney tie a school record with 6 touchdown passes in a game, but he also had the first 300+ passing game since Chris Warrick tossed 300+ in the 2006 NCAA playoffs against Mary Hardin Baylor. McSweeney now has 34 career touchdown passes moving him up to 5th all time at Wesley and his 366 yards through the air moved him past 3,000 career yards moving him to 6th all time.
Wide out scoring machine Ellis Krout continues to wow spectators and defensive coordinators earning his 10 touchdown of the season. He is now averaging 2.0 touchdowns per game and his 112 yards on 7 catches was the first 100+ yard receiving game for the Wolverines in 2009.
