Wolverines Win Home Opener
DOVER, DE. - A 24-point 2nd quarter fueled Wesley College (3-0,
1-0) to 45-9 home opener win against conference rival Buffalo State
College (0-2, 0-1).
Leading 10-0 early in the second quarter from an 18-yard touchdown
catch by sophomore Jon Lanouette and a 40-yard field goal by kicker
Chris Carlton, Wesley catapulted to a 24-0 lead on two big
plays.
Buffalo State quarterback Mike Mikolaichik completed a pass to key
wide out Jonathan Allen in the flat, but a hard charging Mario
Harris dislodged to the ball which was then picked out of the air
by Wesley's Josh Jones who sprinted 38 yards for the touchdown.
Carlton's kick made it 17-0.
The Wolverines forced the Bengals to punt on their next possession.
Wesley's Jeff Morgan made his way through the Bengal's line to get
a hand on the punt, which was picked up by Wesley's Ron Thompson
who earned a tough 20 yards to the Bengal's goal line for the
score. Carlton's extra point put the total at 24-0.
Buffalo State ended the shut out with 00:25 remaining in the half
on a 25 yard Eric Buchanan field goal.
Buffalo State came out strong in the second half, forcing and early
turnover. Safety Michael Haynes stepped in front of the Chris
Warrick pass to give Buffalo the Bengals the ball at their own 21.
Two big plays later, Bengal's running back, James Perkins broke
scored.
Mikolaichik was intercepted on their next drive by Wesley's Trae
Swan who returned the ball to the Bengal's 5 yard line. One play
later, Alpha Korma slammed home another score for the Wolverines
upping the lead once again to 22 at 31-9.
Koroma would score again late in the third quarter, this time on a
4-yard charge. Carlton continued his perfect day and Wesley pulled
away once again.
Wide out Curtis Gore ended the scoring as he slipped through the
Bengal's secondary for a 55-yard scoring strike from Warrick. Final
score Wesley 45, Buffalo State 9.
Extra Points.
Buffalo State wide out Jonathan Allen was the leading receiver in
the game with 151 yards on 6 catches, but was unable to get into
the end zone. Wesley's Marcus Lee led the Wolverines with 72 yards
on 5 catches.
Defensively, Wesley's linebacker Bryan Sorenson led in tackles with
10 (5-5). Junior safety Mario Harris had a stellar day in the
secondary with 7 tackles (5-2) two pass break ups and a couple of
spectacular hits. His forced fumble in the second quarter turned
the tide early in the game.
Wesley is at home again next week against visiting Kean University.
Buffalo State travels to Cortland State.
Wolverines Pass Past Averett
DANVILLE, Va. - The Wesley College Wolverines won on the road again
defeating Averett University 49-9 on Saturday. The Wolverines
amassed 476 yards of total offense in the win and the stingy
defense held Averett to negative 41 yards rushing on the day.
Wesley struck first with 5:23 remaining in the first quarter on a
4-yard run by Kevin Nelson. That play capped off a 13-play drive of
80 yards that lasted for 5:29. The point after gave the Wolverines
a 7-0 advantage.
Averett fell into a 14-0 hole early in the second quarter on a
65-yard touchdown pass from Chris Warrick to Larry Beavers. That
lead was advanced to 21-0 three minutes later with 10:19 showing on
the second quarter clock on a Tykee Perry run of five yards. That
drive was six plays worth 66 yards that lasted 1:57.
After several stalled drives for both teams the Cougars struck with
only seconds remaining in the half. Jeff Hughley fielded a punt at
his own 27-yardline, which he returned 44 yards to Wesley's 29
yardline. After a 23-yard Todd Parsons to Eric Sicre completion,
Parsons later found Shannon Short for a 6-yard scoring completion.
However, the point after was missed and Averett trailed 21-6 at the
intermission.
Averett netted a field goal in the third quarter, as Chris Ashcraft
connected from 27-yards.
Wesley answered that score with a pair of touchdowns in the third
quarter, a 60-yard pass from Warrick to Marcus Lee and a Warrick to
Beavers pass of 10 yards for a 35-9 advantage after the third
quarter.
Wesley tacked on a 43-yard Warrick to Beavers scoring connection
and a 6-yard touchdown run by Jamaal Johnson for the 49-9 final
margin.
Wesley was held to only 85 yards rushing, but totaled 391 passing
yards for 476 yards of total offense. Chris Warrick completed
19-of-34 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns. Larry Beavers
was on the receiving end of three of those passes for 118 yards.
All went for touchdowns.
Wesley College plays conference foe Buffalo State University on
Saturday in their home opener.
Wesley Wins Season Opener
GREENCASTLE. IND. -- Visiting Wesley College built a 24-point lead
early in the third quarter and hung on to win on the road, 31-26.
Junior captain Mario Harris thwarted a hail-mary into the right
endzone as time expired when he picked off Tiger quarterback Ross
Wiethoff's pass.
Wesley reached the board first on Chris Carlton's 44-yard field
goal with 10:42 left in the first on a drive that started after the
Wolverines recovered a DePauw fumble on the third play of the game.
Carlton broke Chris Lyons' previous record of 43 yards set against
Greensboro College in 2000. The Tigers took their only lead of the
game at 7-3 on Wiethoff's 1-yard run with 5:21 remaining in the
first quarter which capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive.
Larry Beavers put the Wolverines ahead for good with a 49-yard pass
reception from Chris Warrick with 3:09 left in the first quarter
and Wesley extended the margin to 17-7 on Jon Lanouette's 14-yard
catch from Warrick with 13:09 remaining in the half. Kevin Nelson's
2-yard run with 6:27 left in the half made it 24-7.
Wesley drove 74 yards in six plays in its opening series of the
second half capped by Beavers' 27-yard reception from Warrick with
13:12 left in the third.
DePauw came back with a 10-play, 78-yard drive with Jeremiah Marks
scoring on a 4-yard run with 8:35 remaining in the quarter. Jon
Drummond blocked Tyler Mallory's extra point attempt keeping the
score at 31-13.
The Tigers scored on their next possession with Wiethoff teaming
with Brian Culp for a 29-yard score with 2:14 left in the third to
make it 31-20.
A Wesley College snap sailed over punter Jake Reuter's head and the
Tigers took over on the Wesley 1-yard line. Marks scored to cut the
gap to 31-26 with 6:47 left in the contest.
The Wolverines picked up three first downs including the final two
on third down plays, but were forced to punt from the DePauw 38.
The Tigers took over on their own 17 with 1:18 remaining. DePauw
drove to the Wesley 45 with six seconds left before Mario Harris
picked off Wiethoff's heave to the end zone.
DePauw outgained Wesley 374-322, but committed four turnovers to
the Wolverines one. Warrick completed 15 of 32 passes for 226 yards
and three touchdowns with Tim Bayles hauling in five and Beavers
adding four catches for 106 yards and two scores. Kevin Nelson led
Wesley with 74 yards in 22 carries and Alpha Koroma picked up 55 on
just seven tries.
Harris paced Wesley with 13 tackles and William Buck followed with
12, while Bryan Robinson totaled three quarterback hurries.
Robinson and Buck shared the game's only sack.
Wesley travels to Averett next Saturday.
Wesley 2005 Season Outlook
The Wesley College Wolverines tradition of winning goes back to
1989. That is the last season Wesley had a losing season on the
grid-iron. Head Coach Mike Drass has compiled an overall record of
85-36-1 as he enters his 13th year at the helm. Wesley has a
winning percentage of .703 (107-45-1) since 1990. The Wolverines
finished last season with an 8-2 record and ranked 31st in The Don
Hansen Football Gazette final poll. Wesley will open the season on
the road taking on DePauw University (8-2) and Averett University
(6-4) before their home opener against Buffalo State on September
17th.
Offense
Senior All-American Candidate Kevin Nelson (5-3/170) set one NFL
scout's record book this spring as he was reportedly "the shortest
player we have ever measured." But Nelson stature does not come
into question on the playing field as he rushed for 1,579 yards on
243 carries. Nelson's 6.5 yards per carry was the best among the
top 25 rushers in NCAA D-III last season. Nelson led the ACFC in
Rushing (157.9) and All-Purpose yards (172.6) and ranked 6th and
10th in the NCAA in each category. Sophomore Alpha Koroma (6-0/202)
rushed for 160 yards on 23 carries and a TD will look to back up
Nelson. Senior Fullback Warren Sharper (5-8/237) returns for his
fourth year as a starter, Juniors Chris Barnes (5-8/227) and Kyle
Jones (5-11/255) will also help clear a path for Nelson.
Junior Quarterback Chris Warrick (6-2/211) has quietly put up some
pretty impressive numbers in his first two years as a starter.
Warrick has completed 264 of 517 for 3,511 yards and 30 TDs in 20
starts. Jason Schatz (6-3/215) a freshman and sophomore Alex
Korattiyil (6-0/205) will back-up Warrick.
Atlantic Central Football Conference "Rookie of the Year" Jon
Lanouette (6-4/250) returns for his sophomore year after catching
46 passes for 764 yards and 5 TDs in his All-ACFC first season.
Senior Curtis Gore (5-8/172) caught 23 passes for 297 yards and
sophomore Ian James 8 catches for 91 yards both had good years
catching and blocking. Sophomore Larry Beavers (6-0/165) and
Freshman Marcus Lee (6-0/175) ran 4.5 40's in the spring and will
be counted on to help the offense through the air. Seniors Tim
Bayles (6-2/225) and Mike Lemon (6-5/220) will see action at Tight
End. Lemon, a former starter at Quarterback should help Bayles
stabilize the Tight End position.
The Offensive Line will be led by junior Norman Bauer (6-2/300) who
earned 2nd team All-ACFC honors last season. Sophomore Chris
Sfamurri (6-1/307) was on his way to an outstanding season before
an injury sidelined him the last 3 ½ games of the season.
Junior Bubba Miller (6-0/337) picked up four starts at guard last
year. Senior Aris Byrd (5-11/242) has moved to Center after two
years as a starter on the d-line, Byrd will compete with Junior
George Covert (5-11/260) and Senior Pete McMahon (5-9/275).
Sophomore Bill Collick (6-3/278) and Freshman John Parker (6-3/300)
will push for time after solid spring drills. Freshmen John Senkus
(6-5/290) from Newark, DE and David Erdman (6-4/290) from River
Hill, MD will join a host of new comers who will compete for
playing time.
Defense
The Wolverine Defense will have to find a way to replace Gagliardi
Trophy Winner (Division III Player of the Year) and 1st team
All-American Rocky Myers. Myers a four-year starter finished his
career with 436 tackles and 16 Interceptions. The Secondary will be
led by three returning starters Junior Mario Harris (5-8/174) was
an All-ACFC selection last season. Harris, who can play corner or
safety, had 70 tackles and 13 pass break ups last fall. Seniors
Brian Bush (5-10/185) and William Buck (5-7/181) return to the line
up. Bush finished the 2004 season ranked 13 in NCAA D-III with 17
pass break ups and Buck finished the season with 40 tackles and 3
QB Sacks. Sophomores Trea Swann (5-11/180) and Ray Thompson
(5-10/170) each saw quality time last season.
The Strength of the Defense would have to be the Wolverines
Defensive Line. Senior Anthony Johnson (6-5/251) and Sophomore
Bryan Robinson (6-3/293) both earned 1st team All-ACFC honors last
season. Johnson, who ran a 4.75 40 for NFL Scouts this spring has
20 career QB Sacks. Robinson Tallied 12 Tackles for a loss and 6 QB
Sacks last year. Senior Nick Cipot (6-3/235) and Junior Chris
Knight (6-2/252) will be counted on up front for the D-Line. Cipot
recorded 4 QB Sacks and 13 tackles last season, Knight added a sack
and a tackle for a loss. Senior Tony Powell (6-2/335) and Sophomore
Jamal Williams (6-1/311) return after solid seasons in '04. Powell
has 95 career tackles and 7 QB Sacks.
Seniors Bryan Sorenson (5-11/225) an Honorable Mention All-ACFC
selection in 2004 and Anthony Beard (5-10/237) return to action.
Sorenson was third on the team with 55 tackles had 8 tackles for a
loss and 2 Interceptions. Junior Nick McCulley (6-2/220) came on
strong, starting the last three games of the season picking up 20
tackles. Sophomore Josh Jones (6-0/208) will start the season on
the weak side. Jones had 17 tackles in limited action as a
freshman. Junior Eston Ennis (5-10/210) and sophomore Chris Mumy
(5-11/225) will compete for action.
Special
Teams
Senior Chris Carlton (5-8/165) had a record setting year connecting
on 11 field goals on 15 attempts (73%) and hit on 30-32 PATs (93%).
He set Wesley Records with FG, FGA, FG% and PAT%, Carlton set and
ACFC marks with PAT%. The sure footed senior was named 2nd team
All-ACFC. Junior Christian Cattanea (5-8/170) averaged 53 yards on
61 kick-offs and 4 Touchbacks. Junior Punter Jake Reuter (5-8/175)
led the ACFC as he dropped 14 punts inside the 20 yard line. Reuter
averaged 35.6 yards a punt.
Wesley Names Team Captains for 2005 Season
Wesley College announces Mario Harris (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis), Anthony Johnson (Lothian, MD/Southern), Kevin Nelson (Wilmington, DE/Delcastle) and Bryan Sorenson (West River, MD/Southern) team captains for the 2005 season. These fine young men were elected by their peers to lead the Wolverines as they head in to the 2005 campaign.
Mario Harris is the only Junior captain for the 2005 season. Harris' tremendous athletic ability shut down opposing receivers all year in 2004. Harris was honored by the ACFC when he was named to the 1st team as a defensive back. At his corner position Harris was second on the team in tackles with 70. Harris also had five tackles for a loss of 43 yards, one interception and 12 pass break-ups.
Anthony Johnson was the anchor of the Wolverines defense last season, and was ranked nationally in sacks last year for most of the season. The other Southern high school graduate was rewarded for his play by being named first team Atlantic Central Football Conference at Defensive End. Johnson had nine sacks and was fourth on the team in tackle with 47, eight coming for a loss of 19 yards. Johnson was named to the ACFC Honor Roll twice last year for his outstanding play.
Senior running back Kevin Nelson was sixth in Division III in rushing with 1,579 yards last season was also named captain for the Wolverines. Nelson averaged 6.5 yards per carry which was tops out of any runningback nationally ranked in 2004. Nelson was named first team ACFC with 11 touchdowns on the ground. Nelson was ranked 10th in the country in All-Purpose yards with 172.6 per game.
Bryan Sorenson is a Senior Linebacker for the Wolverines. The Southern high school grad was third on the team in tackles last season with 55 including 4.5 for a loss of 20 yards. Sorenson will be a three year starter this season at strong side linebacker. Sorenson was also the captain of the Wolverines Baseball team this spring.
Wesley is coming off an 8-2 season and has a good nucleus coming back in 2005. Wesley opens up at DePauw University (IN) on September 3rd.