News Archive 2006-07
Centre football opens with 21-6 win
Playing without some of its top offensive targets due to injury, the Centre College football team found a way to open its 2006 campaign with a 21-6 win over Bluffton University, Saturday, Sept. 2, at Farris Field in Danville, Ky.
The Colonels defense forced three turnovers, while the special teams contributed a touchdown on a punt return to help Centre get past the Beavers for the third-straight season.
Late in the first quarter, the Centre offense took possession in Bluffton territory and drove 48-yards for the game's first score, a 27-yard run by senior running back Jordan Tinnell (Louisville, Ky.). The score was Tinnell's first career touchdown.
The two teams traded possessions in the second quarter without scoring until late in the second quarter. Following a three and out, Bluffton was forced to punt from its 30-yard line. Freshman Zack Sloan (Lebanon, Ind.) took the punt for the Colonels and ran 73-yards to the end zone for his first career-touchdown and a 14-0 Centre lead at the half.
Both defenses controlled much of the second half as well. On Bluffton's third drive of the third quarter, the Beavers drove 44 yards and scored its first points of the 2006 season when quarterback Jared Owens hit pay dirt from one yard out. The extra point was blocked and the Centre lead was cut to 14-6.
After the Colonels next drive stalled at the start of the fourth quarter, Bluffton (0-1) took over at its own 24-yard line and drove to the 41-yard line. On fourth down, an errant snap on the punt attempt was recovered by Centre at the Beavers 32-yard line. One play later, Centre senior quarterback Kevin Phelps (Leitchfield, Ky.) hit freshman wide receiver Justin Jones (West Chester, Ohio) for a 32-yard touchdown strike for the 21-6 final score.
Centre out gained Bluffton 200-148 in total offensive yards, including a 141-69 advantage in rushing yards. Junior running back Nick Warren (Walton, Ky.) finished with a game-high 68 rushing yards. Phelps was 6-16 for 59 yards and a touchdown and Sloan posted 111 punt return yards on six attempts in his first collegiate game.
Sophomore linebacker Adam Hay (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Junior linebacker Matt Johnson (Ashland, Ky.) led the defense. Hay recorded 14 tackles and a sack, while Johnson posted 13 tackles and a forced fumble. Senior defensive end Brian Dougherty (Hopkinsville, Ky.) added four tackles and two sacks.
Next up for the 1-0 Colonels is a trip to Maryville, Tenn., to play the Maryville College Fighting Scots, Saturday, Sept. 9. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
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