Bernell DorroughThe Washington University football team defeated rival University of Rochester 16-14 this weekend. The win improved the team to 5-4 overall and a perfect 3-0 in UAA play.
Rochester converted a Bears fumble early into a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead on their first offensive possession of the game. The Bears answered back in the first quarter with senior Scott Poznanski blocking a Rochester punt attempt. Three plays later, junior Adam Meranda hit sophomore Brad Duesing for a 29-yard touchdown strike.
Playing on a wet, rain-laden field, conditions were poor and neither team was able to score in the second quarter. The Bears were held to a mere 17 yards of total offense in the second quarter.
The play of punter Chaz Moody was of particular note in the game especially considering the conditions. Moody overcame difficult footing on the soggy field to average 41.4 yards on his five punts, a number that would be excellent even in more favorable, dry conditions. Two of Moody’s punts pinned Rochester inside their own 20.
While junior Adam Meranda started the game at quarterback and completed 6-10 passes for 83 yards and 2 interceptions, he left the game late in the second quarter with a hand injury. Senior Matt Alley replaced Meranda at quarterback. Coach Larry Kindbom had planned to insert Alley at some point in the game whether Meranda had been injured or not.
“We anticipated making the switch anyway,” Coach Kindbom said. “Then, Adam hurt his hand.”
Kindbom believes both quarterbacks have something to offer the team and are needed on the field at different times.
With 8:40 remaining in the third quarter, senior Jonathan Feig connected on a 23-yard field goal attempt to put the Bears ahead 10-7. The field goal moved Feig in to seventh place on the career-scoring list at Washington University with 134 points.
In the fourth quarter, Alley was able to connect with Duesing for the receiver’s second touchdown of the game, a 9 yard score. Feig’s subsequent extra point attempt was blocked. While Rochester was able to respond with their own score on their next possession, the effort proved to be too little, too late. After the Rochester score, they were able to recover an onside kick attempt. The Bears’ defense held firm, however, and stuffed the Rochester drive. The Bears were then able to run out the remaining time on the clock.
For the game, Alley finished 11-17 for 131 yards. Blake Westra led the team in receiving with 5 catches for 72 yards while Duesing added 4 catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Kevin McCarthy keyed the rushing attack with 16 carries for 56 yards. Sophomore defensive back Chris Finney led the Bears defense with 11 tackles and one sack while fellow sophomore defensive back Joe Rizzo added an interception.
Next week’s away game against Carnegie Mellon will essentially determine the UAA Championship according to Coach Kindbom and the Coach expects a tough game.
“The game with Carnegie is basically for the championship,” Kindbom said, “It’s probably the two best teams in the Conference although you saw a good team out there with Rochester. We’re excited that we won.”
The Bears’ strong run defense will be called upon again next weekend as Carnegie Mellon boasts a formidable ground game.
“Obviously they’re a great running football team averaging over 300 yards per game rushing and defeating a lot of their opponents with just rushing,” Kindbom said, “They are the running team in the Conference.”
Coach Kindbom pledged that the Bears would win the field position battle next week in an effort to stymie the powerful Carnegie running game. Kindbom said he would not change his play selection and be more conservative, but that he would limit the number of times the Bears would go for it in difficult 4th down situations.
“We want to put them down, less going for it on 4th down,” Kindbom said. “We’re going to do what it takes to win the field position battle.”
If the Bears are able to win next Saturday, it would be the team’s third consecutive conference championship.