Defense On Sidelines At WVWC 314 x 209

TIME AND TIME AGAIN

WESLEYAN'S "T.O.P." ADVANTAGE DOOMS CU IN WVIAC OPENER

It's abbreviated as “TOP” on a football statistics sheet. “TOP” stands for “time of possession.”

It wound up being the top stat in Concord's game Saturday, September 18, at West Virginia Wesleyan.

The host Bobcats possessed the football for a remarkable 40:05 – meaning CU's offense was on the field for only 19:55 – in Wesleyan's 20-13 victory at Cebe Ross Field in Buckhannon, WV.

Wesleyan ran 86 plays to Concord's 64 in each team's WVIAC opener, and the Bobcats outgained CU 467-372. But what was even more frustrating for CU, in a close game, were the mistakes the sent the Mountain Lions to their first loss of the season.

QB Zack Grossi wound up the day 23-40 for 319 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two damaging interceptions. The first came with 7:55 left in the first half; Concord was trailing 10-7 but on a promising drive. Grossi tried to find WR Horace Daughtry in the end zone, but threw into a double team, and Ottis Scott made the interception for a touchback.

The Bobcats subsequently went on a 12-play, 80-yard, 5:33 march that ended with a 29-yard TD pass from Adam Neugebauer to T.J. Benners that staked them to a 17-6 halftime lead.

Grossi's second interception occurred early in the 4th quarter, with CU down 20-13. The Mountain Lions started a drive on their own 19, but on 1st and 10 at the Bobcats' 49-yard line, Grossi threw into coverage again, the pass was tipped, and Ben Akefalu Jr. grabbed the deflection.
http://www.wvwc.edu/athletics/sports/football/stats/2010HTML/918wvwcu.htm

Concord's last, and game-clinching, miscue came in the closing minutes. On 3rd and 10 at the WVWC 40, Grossi found Daughtry on a route over the middle for a big gain. But the freshman WR (right) took a hit from Stephon Knox, fumbled, and John Maddox recovered at the Bobcats' 15 with 3:38 left in the game.

Wesleyan picked up three first downs on their subsequent possession, and although they had to punt, they left CU just :01.1 for a final desperation attempt. The Mountain Lions attempted a rugby-style play with multiple laterals, but in vain.

The Bobcats' defense, which led the league in rushing yards allowed, limited Concord's All-WVIAC RB Brian Kennedy to just 62 yards on 15 carries. However, “BK” did grab a four-yard TD pass from Grossi late in the 3rd quarter.

All-American WR Thomas Mayo caught six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Daughtry finished with six receptions for 119 yards.

Adam Neugebauer, WVWC 235 x 298


Wesleyan QB Adam Neugebauer (left), enjoying ample protection from his offensive line, carved up the Concord defense for 35 completions in 48 attempts for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Seven different Bobcat receivers had two or more catches.

The Bobcats were 10 of 19 on 3rd Down Conversions, contributing to their substantial advantage in time of possession.


BOXSCORE/PLAY-BY-PLAY:  www.wvwc.edu/athletics/sports/football/stats/2010HTML/918wvwcu.htm

Now 2-1, and 0-1 in the WVIAC, the Mountain Lions prepare for an important conference matchup with the University of Charleston on Saturday, September 25 at Callaghan Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm.Live streaming video will be available at www.concord.edu/mltv, starting at kickoff.

ESPN Radio 102.3 FM The Ticket (WMTD/Hinton/Princeton/Beckley) will broadcast game, with the audio webcast provided at www.theticket102.com/, beginning at 12:30 pm.




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