Football News
Centre football wins fifth-straight season-opener
Trailing by seven points entering the fourth quarter, the Centre College football team scored 21 unanswered points to rally and defeat Hanover College 34-20 in the season-opener for both teams Saturday, Sept. 5 in Hanover, Ind.
The Colonels, who have now won its last five season-opening games, including a 46-22 over Hanover last year, begin 1-0, while the Panthers fall to 0-1 to open the year.
Centre scored its first points of the 2009 season on its second drive of the game. Sophomore receiver Jordan Albright (Cincinnati,Ohio) caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Tyler Osterman (Monroe, Ohio) for the game's first score. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful and the Colonels let 6-0.
Hanover recovered a fumble at the Centre two-yard line early in the second quarter and punched it in for its first score of the year. The extra point was good and the Colonels trailed by one.
The Panthers added another score on their next possession, but the extra point attempt was blocked and Hanover would lead 13-6.
With 3:43 left in the first half, Centre drove 58 yards in 2:38 to tie the game as Osterman found senior receiver Nick Edwards (Flemingsburg, Ky.) this time for an 18-yard score to knot the game at 13 apiece.
The game remain ted until the late in the third quarter when Hanover capped a 54-yard drive with a two yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a 20-13 advantage.
Wasting little time, the Colonels answered on their next drive going 45 yards in 3:40 with Osterman finding Edwards for the second time, this one in the corner of the end zone from 15-yards out.
After the defense forced a three and out, the offense went to work again. Starting at is 25-yard line Centre drove 75 yards in only 2:15 with Osterman hitting sophomore tight end John Coomer (Somerset, Ky.) for a 14-yard scoring strike. On that drive Osterman connected with Albright for a 32-yard reception taking the Colonels from their own 39 to the Hanover 29.
Senior safety Sean Swallen (Mason, Ohio) got the ball back for Centre quickly when he intercepted the Panthers third down attempt at midfield.
Hanover would get the ball back and drive to the Centre 21-yard line, but on fourth and 10, senior defensive lineman Graham Herron (Henderson, Ky.) came up with a big sack to end the drive.
The Colonels added their final score of the game when senior Tim Groh (Lebanon, Ohio) forced a fumble in Hanover's end zone and senior linebacker Brian Sneed (Hendersonville, Tenn.) recovered the ball for the touchdown.
Centre out-gained Hanover 501-294 in total yards, including a 177-34 advantage on the ground. Osterman had a big day posting career highs in passing yards (324) and touchdowns (4), while also gaining 104 yards on the ground.
Albright, who moved to receiver this year from defensive back, caught seven passes for 115 yards, while Edwards also posted career-highs with seven catches for 108 yards. Senior running back Chase Porter (Campbellsville, Ky.) also had a nice day as he ran for 78 yards on 17 carries.
Defensively, the Colonels forced two turnovers to extend their consecutive game streak with at least one turnover to 42 games. Sneed tallied 14 total tackles on the day, while five others had at least six tackles.
Centre returns to action Saturday, Sept. 12 for its home-opener against Maryville College. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Farris Stadium in Danville, Ky. |
