Wild Cats Rush for 335 Yards; Hold Blue Devils To Only Three Points
By Brittany Burke
The CCSU Blue Devils football team took to the road to face the #9 ranked University of New Hampshire Wild Cats in their season opener and dropped the ball, falling to the Wild Cats 33-3.
The only highlight of the game for CCSU came in the final minutes of the first half when senior Joe Izzo got the Blue Devils on to the board for the first and only time of the game. With 3:46 left of play, and CCSU facing a 26-point deficit, Izzo was put in the position to score and made a 29-yard field goal attempt.
While CCSU managed to end the half on a high note, they were far from in the clear and it was apparent at the end of the second quarter that the Blue Devils had already dug themselves into a difficult hole to climb out of.
The pace of the game was set in the opening minutes of the first quarter when UNH wide receiver Terrance Fox ran the ball back for a 91-yard touchdown return. With a failed two-point conversion, UNH was on the board with six with 14:44 left to play in the first.
“Fox kid made a great run got to give him all the credit in the world, well executed,” said head coach Jeff McInerney. “You know, I don’t think it really affected us. I knew going into this game that this team going against that team we had to play it one game at a time, look up in the fourth quarter and see where we’re at.”
In the fourth quarter the Wild Cats had built up a 30 point lead, shutting down the Blue Devils’ running game and exposing their weaknesses, mainly tackling.
The Blue Devils’ defense was unable to contain the Wild Cats’ running game, allowing 335 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. CCSU’s tackling was sloppy, and is something that will have to be improved on before conference play begins Sept. 25.
“I was extremely happy; the only thing is we tackled sloppy. Some of that is a credit to those running backs,” said McInerney. “I’m not gonna slight them by saying that we just missed tackles, but because of their talent, and we just got a little bit tired, we missed some plays, but we’ll get better.
“But I was so proud of their effort, they never stopped playing and that’s what good defensive teams do…they line up and they go and I love that. I love our attitude, I love everything about it and I’m proud, but I also know we got to work hard over there. We got to improve our tackling, I think that’s obvious.”
Despite the defense’s weak showing against UNH, McInerney has faith that his team will improve and become serious contenders to win the conference.
“I think this team has a chance, it’s yet to be determined, but let me say this, there’s a big drop off between New Hampshire and Bentley…we’ll take it one day at a time. I thought if we could eliminate some of those plays this team will have a chance, but we have to prove it.”
The opening game was also the premiere for new starting quarterback, Gunnar Jespersen. In his first game as a Blue Devil Jespersen went 12-17 with one interception. He threw for a total of 129 yards and was sacked three times.
Jespersen was the team’s leading rusher, gaining 42 yards, followed by Nate Pagan for 24 yards.
The game against UNH was expectantly tough after the Blue Devils felt the blow of a 70-20 loss in their last matchup in 2003, but McInerney wasn’t focused on the win, he was looking to gain an idea of what still needs to be done.
His sights remain locked on Sept. 25 when CCSU will open conference play against Bryant. Until then, CCSU will begin home play next Saturday, Sept. 11 versus Bentley at 12 p.m.
