WPU Drops Playoff Rematch to Saint Xavier 12-6
Then freshman quarterback Tyler Hafner is swarmed by the Saint Xavier Cougars defense during the first round by the defending champs in FCS 2012. (file photo)
Chicago, Ill.–The Statesmen football team had a much better showing in its return to Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field, but it was not enough to avenge last year’s playoff loss as William Penn fell 12-6 to #14 Saint Xavier in Midwest League play Saturday.
The Statesmen (3-5, 1-2 MWL), who lost 31-0 to the Cougars (5-3, 2-1 MWL) in last year’s NAIA Football Championship Series, could still win its final three games to claim a share of the league crown. The navy and gold would still need a lot of help to do that.
The visitors were shut out last time in Chicago, but broke through first Saturday afternoon. After the two sides combined for just one first down in the first three possessions, Micheal Welch (Sr., Houston, Texas, Physical Education) ended the fourth drive by forcing a fumble that was recovered by Thurgood Brooks (So., Rock Island, Ill., Secondary Education & History) at the SXU 32-yard line.
Ten plays and 28 yards later, Marcus Kerrigan (Sr., Cary, Ill., Sociology) put the Statesmen up 3-0 with a 21-yard field goal with 3:55 left in the first quarter.
Saint Xavier knotted the score midway through the second stanza with a 31-yard field goal by Spencer Nolen. The kicker then gave the hosts their first lead at 6-3 midway through the third by converting a 50-yard attempt.
Kerrigan matched the Cougars at the start of the fourth quarter with a 42-yard try by Kerrigan.
The all-field goal contest finally saw a trip into the endzone on Saint Xavier’s next drive. The extra point was missed, leaving SXU up 12-6 with 6:23 left in regulation.
William Penn still had two cracks at coming away victorious. The first possession yielded negative yards, but with 2:31 on the clock, the Statesmen had one last chance and they took advantage. The visitors moved 51 yards from their own 28 to the Cougars’ 27, but four incomplete passes ended the rally.
On a fairly windy day, the Statesmen were actually paced by their rarely-used passing game. Tyler Hafner (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Undecided) finished the day 13-of-30 for 81 yards. Aaron Broyles (Sr., Escondido, Calif., Physical Education) led the receiving corps with nine catches for 69 yards.
Shawn Davis (Sr., Hamersville, Ohio, Physical Education) guided the ground attack with 45 yards, while Evan Ressler (Jr., Cascade, Iowa, Biology) added 34 rushing yards.
The defensive battle finished with Saint Xavier holding a slim 230-199 in total yardage. The Statesmen forced two turnovers, including a third-quarter interception by Cameron Penny (So., Oxnard, Calif., Business Management).
John Land (Fr., Mission Viejo, Calif., Education) topped the defensive effort with nine tackles, while Nick DiMarco (Jr., St. Charles, Mo., Physical Education) had Saturday’s only quarterback sack (2.5 tackles for loss).
William Penn had a significant advantage in time of possession at 33:38-26:22.
Next: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa to host Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) in Midwest League action at 1 p.m. The game will also serve as Senior Day.
