Ohio Wesleyan 21, Earlham 14

Oct. 12, 2002

Freshman halfback Matt Carducci (Hudson) scored on a 6-yard run to break a 7-7 tie and followed with a 1-yard TD plunge for what proved to the winning margin in a North Coast Athletic Conference win over Earlham on Saturday in Richmond, Ind.

The Bishop offense started slowly as Ohio Wesleyan fumbled the ball away on the first play of each of its first 2 possessions. The Bishops bounced back to put together an impressive drive on their third possession, taking over after an Earlham punt pinned them back on their own 5-yard line and marching 75 yards to the Earlham 20, but the drive stalled when sophomore quarterback Joe Stanton (Olmsted Falls) was tripped up for a 4-yard loss on fourth-and-2.

The second quarter started out better for Ohio Wesleyan, with senior tailback Jason Osborne (Oak Harbor) and senior halfback Bernie Vendlinski (Brunswick/Highland) gaining 37 yards on 4 carries and an Earlham personal foul adding 15 more yards. Osborne gained 11 yards for a first-and-goal at the Quaker 10, and from there, Stanton found freshman split end Scott Kovelan (North Olmsted) for a scoring pass that put Ohio Wesleyan ahead, 7-0.

Earlham threatened to tie the game later in the quarter, driving to a first down at the Ohio Wesleyan 18, but the Bishop defense stiffened and sacked Quaker quarterback Justin Rummell on fourth down, forcing a fumble that was recovered all the way back at the Ohio Wesleyan 44, giving the ball to the Bishops on downs.

The Quakers struck quickly in the second half, forcing a punt on Ohio Wesleyan's first possession and then getting a 54-yard scoring pass from Rummell to Dan Perkins on Earlham's first play of the half, tying the game at 7-7. The Quakers then forced a fumble on Ohio Wesleyan's next possession and took over at their own 47. Relying mainly on runs by Darrian Story and Jermel Hurt, Earlham drove to a first down at the Ohio Wesleyan 6, but again the Bishop defense stiffened. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 24, the Quakers elected to bring John Gresham in for a 41-yard field goal attempt, but his kick went wide right.

While the Quakers had missed their chance to take the lead, Ohio Wesleyan would take advantage of its opportunity.

Stanton hit freshman tight end Colby Welanetz (Carlsbad, Calif.) for 28 yards and a first down at the Earlham 47, and from there, it was all Carducci. He carried the ball on 4 straight plays, going over from 6 yards out on the last one for a 14-7 Ohio Wesleyan lead with 4:50 left in the third quarter.

Ohio Wesleyan had a chance to add to its lead, taking over on its own 16-yard line as the fourth quarter began and moving to a first down at the Earlham 13. Carducci carried for 4 yards on first down but fumbled on second down, and Earlham recovered at its own 6.

The Bishops got the ball back when freshman cornerback Justin Blackburn (Wadsworth) picked off a Rummell pass at the Quaker 22. Carducci carried twice for a first down at the Earlham 9, but the Bishop drive stalled and freshman Jason Whitcomb (Wauseon) came on for a 28-yard field goal try, which went wide right.

The script repeated itself, though, as freshman linebacker Ian Kost (Hudson) picked off a Rummell pass on Earlham's next possession, giving the Bishops the ball at the Earlham 30. Carducci carried on 6 straight plays, going over from 1 yard out to give the Bishops a 21-7 lead with 2:53 to play.

Carducci's second touchdown proved valuable when Earlham's Tim Herrod returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Bishop 36. Rummell found D Parkevich for 31 yards on the first play, giving the Quakers a first-and-goal at the Ohio Wesleyan 5, and then on third down hit Kevin Carr for a 4-yard touchdown, bringing Earlham within 21-14 with 1:41 to play.

Ohio Wesleyan was called for a personal foul on the play, giving the Quakers a chance to kick off from the 50, but the Bishops covered the onside kick. Earlham used up its timeouts and forced a punt, but freshman Neil Smiley (Cincinnati/Wyoming) unloaded a 41-yard boot that was downed at the Earlham 24. Rummell was able to complete a pass for 1 yard before getting sacked by junior end Travis Little (Wheelersburg) on fourth down, and the Bishops ran out the clock to seal the win.

Osborne led the Bishops with 124 yards in 15 carries, with Carducci right behind with 123 yards and the 2 touchdowns in 25 attempts. Ohio Wesleyan outgained Earlham, 312-75, on the ground with Story leading the Quakers with 74 yards in 18 attempts.

Stanton completed 5 of 12 passes for 69 yards and 1 TD, while Rummell was 14-of-28 for 155 yards for Earlham.

Welanetz and Kovelan led the Bishops with 2 receptions apiece.

Defensive standouts for Ohio Wesleyan included junior cornerback Travis Finch (Wayland, Mass.), who had 12 tackles, junior linebacker Billy Chrisovergis (Dayton/Bellbrook), who made 11 tackles, including 4 1/2 for loss, and blocked an Earlham punt; and Little, whose 6 tackles included 3 sacks.

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