To kick off its 2008 season, the UR football team traveled to Cleveland, Ohio this past weekend to play against the Case Western Reserve University Spartans. The ‘Jackets were not able to stop the momentum of the Spartans, who were most recently ranked 18th in d3football.com’s national poll the ‘Jackets allowed them to score on four out of their five first-half possessions. The Spartans, who were undefeated in regular season play last year, were coming off of a 62-27 win against the Kenyon College Lords, and they managed to sustain that hot streak en route to a 38-6 win over the ‘Jackets.
Weather conditions did not help the Yellowjackets’ chances, as steady light rain and wind made the ball slick and the field difficult to play on.
Although the team compared favorably to the Spartans on paper, UR was unable to complete drives or, ultimately, score. The ‘Jackets beat Case in total offensive yards, 296-249, but UR went just 1-3 in the red zone and averaged only nine yards per kickoff return. Converting on third downs was also a problem, as the ‘Jackets were just 5-17.
Even though Case only had possession of the ball for 18:59, the team capitalized on almost every one of its opportunities. Four of its five touchdowns were the result of drives made in three plays or less. The other touchdown was the result of an 84-yard kickoff return.
The score was 0-24 by the end of the first half and was 0-31 before UR could get on the board and score its only points of the game to bring the score to 6-31. The touchdown came off of an eight-yard pass from freshman backup quarterback Braezen Subick to junior wide receiver Zach Ingoldsby. Subick went 8-12, threw for 68 yards and had no interceptions. Ingoldsby ended the day with five catches for 60 yards. UR missed the extra point.
Junior starting quarterback Adam Barrett was the leading rusher for game, running nine times for 69 total yards. Sophomore running back Clarence Onyiriuka added 63 yards on 30 rushes. UR’s offense had 143 passing yards and 153 rushing for a total of 296 yards.
On the defensive side, junior defensive lineman Brad Mills had five tackles. The ‘Jackets were unable to get a sack on the Spartans’ quarterback.
The ‘Jackets will look for redemption this weekend in the much-anticipated fourth-annual Courage Bowl against the St. John Fisher College Cardinals. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Fauver Stadium.
Belonga is a member of the class of 2010.
