Cards cause six fumbles, win blowout

October 8, 2007 —

by Adam Baudoux

Senior defensive tackle Josh Miller points the way to the end zone for fellow senior Derek Volmering after the linebacker recovered Findlay quarterback Jonathan Bell’s fumble. Volmering scored on the fumble, one of eight Oilers turnovers in the Cards’ 44-7 win.

by Adam Baudoux

Receiver Ric Cottengim crosses the goal line for a 41-yard touchdown with nine seconds left in the first half Saturday. The senior finished with four catches for 126 yards and two scores.

It was a beautiful day for football, but the first 29:51 of Saturday's Homecoming game was ugly.

That's when Chris Dougherty stood calm against a blitz, noticed a Findlay safety didn't slide over to cover his favorite target, and threw the ball deep.

Forty-one yards later, Cardinals receiver Ric Cottengim was in the end zone with the football and Oilers cornerback Brian Williams was on the ground, and the game suddenly matched the weather.

The score put SVSU up 17-7 and deflated the Oilers, who had played excellent defense up to that point in the game. Prior to the eight-play, 77-yard drive, the Cards had gained just 101 yards on 32 plays.

"Sometimes it just takes one big play, then the offense starts clicking," Cottengim said.

The senior was right, as the Cards scored on their first three possessions in the third quarter and scored 44 unanswered points total to beat the Oilers 44-7.

The Cards' offense was unable to put anything together in the first half despite the fact that Findlay had five turnovers, including four fumbles. The Oilers had eight turnovers overall in the game.

"Our defensive gameplan was excellent," said senior linebacker Derek Volmering, who tied the score at 7 with a 26-yard fumble return. "It was simple, but effective."

The Oilers managed just 108 yards in the half, including just 28 through the air. UF tried bringing in quarterback Jonathan Mora midway through the second quarter, but couldn't muster anything.

"I think they were getting frustrated a bit," Volmering added. "So they tried a couple different things."

The Oilers' frustration continued in the second half, because the Cards received the ball to start the half. Instead of possibly taking some momentum away with a long drive, the Oilers were forced to defend against a rejuvenated SVSU offense.

"Those kids were jacked in the locker room at halftime," coach Randy Awrey said. "They were ready to roll."

Junior Brandon Emeott returned the kickoff 28 yards to the SVSU 39, and three plays later, Dougherty found sophomore Galen Stone for a 25-yard touchdown to start the rout.

"Once things get rolling like that, it's hard to stop," Awrey said.

Cottengim found the end zone on the Cardinals' next drive, catching a pass in the left flat and breaking two tackles before racing down the sideline for a 70-yard score.

Fellow senior Steve Brander grabbed his fifth touchdown of the season on the next drive to put his team up 38-7.

Junior Jeremy Burr added two field goals in the fourth quarter, including a career-long 41-yarder.

Burr, who wasn't given many opportunities to kick early in the season, improved to 5-for-5 in field goals and 25-for-25 in extra points.

Burr's 25-yard field goal with 9:39 left in the second quarter put SVSU ahead for good.

"He's gaining confidence through experience," Awrey said of Burr, who has waited four years for an opportunity to contribute. "Now he's been able to do it on the field. He's kicking at important times."

Dougherty recovered from an early interception to go 21-of-33 for 281 yards with four scores.

Redshirt freshman Dan Stiefel went into the huddle on the Cards' next series, at the beginning of the second quarter.

Awrey said it was a pre-planned decision to give the "quarterback of the future" a full series, much like he did with Mark Radlinski while Matt LaFleur was a senior.

"It was 100 percent my decision," he said. "You can't guarantee a blowout, so it's hard to get him reps. He's gotta get some practice."

Stiefel was knocked down on a naked bootleg on second-and-eight before throwing an interception on the next down.

The SVSU defense held a Findlay rushing attack that came in averaging just over 200 yards a game to 137 for the game, and gave up just 40 yards through the air.

The win put the Cards at 4-2 in the GLIAC and overall, and kept their postseason hopes alive. They will most likely need to win out, including next week's home game against Michigan Tech.

"We're back on track," Volmering said. "The season ain't over."