Cards recover from NU loss

October 9, 2006 —

The hangover from last week's loss to Northwood was there for one quarter, but it didn't last any longer than that.

The Cardinals exploded for 31 points in the second and third quarters at Findlay on Saturday evening and added a strong defensive performance in sending the Oilers to 0-5 in the conference, winning 31-14.

With starter Chris Dougherty out with an injury, senior quarterback Vinnie Miroth kept the Cardinals' playoff hopes alive, going 18-of-33 for 248 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. But it took some time for him to get going.

Findlay forced the Cardinals to punt on three of their first four possessions and intercepted a Miroth pass in the end zone on the other drive. But the SVSU defense was just as strong, forcing the Oilers to punt on all of their possessions in the first half.

The Cardinals finally got on the board midway through the second quarter, scoring on a 32-yard field goal from senior Bobby Belmonte. The score capped a 14-play, 65-yard drive that took 6:14 off the clock.

SVSU forced a three-and-out on the next drive, and sophomore Matt Black returned the punt 47 yards to the Findlay 20-yard line. Two plays later, Miroth found junior Ric Cottengim for an 18-yard score with 1:08 left in the half.

Miroth finished the half 11-of 20 for 127 yards with a touchdown and interception each. On the Cardinals' last four drives of the half, though, he was 9-of-14 for 108 yards with the TD and interception.

He continued the strong play in the second half, connecting on a 57-yard touchdown to junior Joe Dougherty on the first play of the half.

SVSU did not let up, as coach Randy Awrey called for an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. The Cardinals recovered and literally ran over the Oilers, marching 45 yards on 11 plays, scoring on a four-yard run by sophomore Toby Goetz.

Goetz rushed seven times on the drive for 22 yards, and Miroth connected with junior tight end Kevin Kelch for a key first down on third-and-long to keep the drive alive.

Findlay would get its first score of the game on the ensuing drive, helped out by a 68-yard kickoff return by Elijah Griffin to the SVSU 32-yard line. The Oilers scored six plays later on a one-yard run by Michael Simpson.

The Oilers would score several drives later, blocking a punt by Cardinals freshman Kurtis Fournier and falling on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown. The score brought Findlay within 10 at 24-14.

The comeback stopped there, though, as SVSU scored just five plays later on a five-yard run by running back Brad Crandall. The redshirt freshman from Kingwood, Texas was the key to the drive, as he took a handoff on first-and-10 at the 50-yard line and rushed 41 yards to the nine.

The Oilers sniffed Cardinals territory just twice more in the game, getting to the SVSU 39-yard line early in the fourth quarter and down to the six at the end of the game. Both drives ended on downs, though, as the Cardinals held on to the lead.

SVSU held Findlay to 258 yards of offense, 70 of which came on the Oilers' last drive of the game during garbage time. Findlay used two quarterbacks in the game but could not sustain any rhythm, as the two combined to go 13-of-38 for 186 yards.

After three consecutive weeks of trouble stopping the run, the Cardinals shut down Findlay tailback Michael Simpson, who rushed 11 times for 28 yards. As a team, the Oilers rushed 26 times for 70 yards, a 2.7-yard average.

Miroth connected with nine different players on the evening, including senior Bob Awrey, who caught four passes for 38 yards.

Crandall finished the game with a career-high 90 yards on 17 carries. Goetz was the thunder to Crandall's lightning, rushing 20 times for 49 yards.

The win kept the 4-2 Cardinals' playoff hopes alive. SVSU must win the rest of their games this season, including next week's game at Michigan Tech, fresh off a 41-7 victory at Ferris State on Saturday, and at Grand Valley on Nov. 4.