News Archive 2006-07
Centre football drops SCAC-opener 20-10
Entering the fourth quarter with a 10-6 lead, the Centre College football team was out scored 14-0 in the last frame dropping its Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) opener 20-10 to Rhodes College, Saturday, Sept. 16, in Memphis, Tenn.
With the loss, the Colonels fall to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the SCAC, while Rhodes improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the league.
Centre jumped on the scoreboard on its very first drive of the contest. The Colonels drove 74 yards on 11 plays, capped off by a 33-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kevin Phelps (Leitchfield, Ky.) to freshman wide receiver Justin Jones (Louisville, Ky.). The touchdown was Jones' second of the year.
The score would remain 7-0 until early in the second quarter. After taking over in great field position at the Centre 47-yard line, the Lynx needed only six plays and 3:23 to hit pay dirt. Rhodes quarterback Mark Oliver connected with wide receiver Bobby Martin for a 19-yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was no good and the Lynx trailed 7-6.
Both teams struggled to move the ball the remainder of the first half with neither team gaining more than five yards in five drives combined between the two teams.
On the very first drive of the second half, Rhodes running back Tyler Lake fumbled the ball on second and nine at the Lynx 46-yard line. the Colonels recovered but would not capitalize failing to convert a fourth and 12 from the Rhodes 34-yard line.
The Lynx second possession of the second half ended much like the first possession. On second and five from its own 32-yard line, Oliver was sacked and fumbled the ball. Senior defensive lineman Brian Dougherty (Hopkinsville, Ky.) recovered for the Colonels.
This time, Centre would put points on the board. The Colonels only gained two yards on their next three plays, but junior kicker Taylor Rockwell (Richmond, Va.) connected on a 28-yard field goal attempt to give Centre a 10-6 lead midway through the third quarter.
Rhodes next possession also ended with a turnover. Sophomore defensive back Alex Ubelhart (Louisville, Ky.) picked off an Oliver pass at the Rhodes' 49-yard line. The Colonels offense continued to struggle moving the ball gaining only one yard in three plays before being forced to punt. The third quarter ended with Centre ahead 10-6.
On their first drive of the fourth quarter, the Lynx drove 93 yards on 18 plays in 8:23 for the go ahead touchdown. Lake scored from one-yard out to put Rhodes ahead 14-6 with 6:29 remaining in the game.
Centre gained only 12 yards on its next possession before punting the ball back to Rhodes. Rockwell's punt was blocked and only went 11 yards to the Rhodes 44-yard line. The Lynx then drove 56 yards on six plays capped off again by a Lake one-yard plunge for the touchdown and the final 20-10 score.
The Colonels were limited to only 147 total offensive yards for the game, including only 57 yards in the second half. Rhodes gained 247 total offensive yards, including 179 of them through the air.
Of the 147 offensive yards by Centre, Phelps accounted for 110 of them, 70 yards rushing and 40 yards through the air. The Colonels defense, which forced three turnovers for the third consecutive game was led by junior defensive back Tyler Moody (Cincinnati, Ohio). Moody recorded 16 total tackles, including a sack and two forced fumbles.
Centre will look to bounce back Saturday, Sept. 23, when they return home to play the Washington and Lee Generals. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. in Danville, Ky.
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