FOOTBALL: BACK TO EARTH

CU STUMBLES IN LOSS AT GLENVILLE STATE

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Last week, the Concord Football team was flying high after its impressive 28-14 victory over then-#3 Shepherd at Callaghan Stadium.

This week, the Mountain Lions fell back to earth.

Hampered by inconsistency and missed opportunities, the Mountain Lions suffered a 14-3 loss at Glenville State and Saturday afternoon, and fell out of first place in the WVIAC.

The tone of the contest was set early.  Concord drove inside the Pioneers' ten yard line twice in the game's first 18 minutes, but scored only three points in the process.

A 33-yard punt return by Riyadh Richardson gave CU the ball at the Glenville State 15 late in the first quarter, but the Mountain Lions had to settle for a 24-yard field goal from freshman placekicker John Scritchfield.

On GSC's next possession, Richardson again set up the Mountain Lions when he intercepted a pass (left) from the Pioneers' Steffen Colon.  CU drove 61 yards in 11 plays, but stalled at the Pioneers' ten, and Scritchfield hooked a 27-yard field attempt wide left.  That wound up being Concord's last best chance to score.

Another special teams miscue put the Mountain Lions behind.  Glenville State partially blocked a punt from CU's Brad Cox, and the ball floated to backup tight end Josh Jenkins, who returned it 51 yards for a touchdown.  The Pioneers moved ahead 7-3 with 5:41 in the 2nd quarter and would not relinquish the lead.

Concord's offense sputtered in the second half.  The Mountain Lions generated just 100 yards on 28 plays, and had only 10:30 in time of possession, after halftime.

The Mountain Lions defense was stout, but wore down facing a GSC offense that managed 19:30 in time of possession in the 2nd half.  The Pioneers put the game out of reach with a 13-play, 76-yard, 6:44 drive that ended with Joe Mesadieu's four-yard touchdown run with 1:36 remaining in the game.

Sophomore halfback Chris Rodriguez, starting in the absence of Brian Kennedy, rushed 16 times for 69 yards.  Quarterback Zack Grossi completed 16 of 39 passes for 196 yards.  Tight end Rashid Baker led CU's receiving corps with six catches for 64 yards.

Linebacker Joe Greenway paced the Concord defense with 10 tackles and an interception (right).  Zach Gibbins posted ten tackles, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble.  Jake Lilly had ten tackles and Aaron Martinez nine.

BOXSCORE/PLAY-BY-PLAY

Up next for Concord (3-1, 3-3) is a home contest against WVIAC foe Seton Hill next Saturday, October 15 at Callaghan Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.




_{(photos by Jennifer Logan)}

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