WPU Ends Non-Conference Road with Tough Day at Marian
William Penn Football in their home opener 2014
Indianapolis, Ind.–Little went the way of the visitors in a 37-14 MSFA crossover loss to #21 Marian Saturday.
#6 William Penn (5-2), which was outgained 419-242, had its four-game winning streak abruptly snapped by the Knights. The squad will look to regroup next Saturday as it returns to Midwest League play for a home game against #13 Saint Xavier at noon.
The Statesmen started the afternoon well with a pair of first downs in their opening possession, but could not convert on fourth down in Knight territory. The home team, playing in front of a Homecoming crowd of over 3,500, then wasted no time in getting on the board with a seven-play scoring drive.
Marian (4-2) tacked on a long field goal and another touchdown to lead 17-0 at intermission, but it could have been worse had it not been for an interception by Joseph Frye (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Physical Education) early in the second stanza.
The hosts continued to pour it on in the third with an offensive touchdown followed by a defensive score (returned fumble).
After sticking the Knights deep on their next possession, WPU returned the favor with a defensive TD of its own. Freddy Griggs (Sr., Tallahassee, Fla., Business Management) stepped in front of a pass and took the pigskin back six yards to finally get the Statesmen on the board at 31-7.
Consecutive field goals capped MU’s scoring, while William Penn racked up a sizeable chunk of its yardage with a long drive in the contest’s waning minutes. Backup quarterback Tyler Hafner (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Undecided), headlined by a 25-yard pass play–the team’s only completion, marched his squad 70 yards down the gridiron. Judson Humphries (Jr., Phenix City, Ala., Secondary Education) finally plunged in from one yard out.
Evan Ressler (Sr., Cascade, Iowa, Biology) finished with a team-high 62 rushing yards, while five others had at least 12 yards on the ground. Desmond Douglas (So., Decatur, Ala., Physical Education) caught the lone Statesmen pass.
Frye guided the defensive side with 12 tackles and one sack to accompany his interception. Isaac Samek (Jr., Bolivar, Mo., Industrial Technology) notched 11 stops and Griggs contributed ten tackles.
