Carter brothers combine for 4 TDs in Marian route | Football | Cougar Athletics - Official Home of the University of Saint Francis Cougars

The Official Home of the University of Saint Francis Cougars

Associations

Sat., Oct. 11, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul Carter just made things worse
The University of Saint Francis already led 21-0 when the senior defensive back from Indianapolis Northwest snared a record-setting and record-tying interception early in the second quarter, returned it for a 60-yard TD adding to the USF lead in what concluded in a 63-14 conquest of Marian College at Pike High School on Saturday.
Carter's interception, his 19th career pickoff for the Cougars, was one of several defensive highlights for USF, now 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Mid-States Football Association Mideast League competition. USF DE Steve Vaught blocked a punt to set up a Cougars' TD. ILB Mark Drobac hit MC replacement QB Clay Coomer so hard Coomer coughed up the ball and Troy Hudson scooped the fumble up for a 10-yard TD in the third quarter. Donavon Evans also had an interception and Drobac, Adam Greene, Stephen Zimmer and Matt Truttling sacked MC QBs for a total of 28 yards in losses.
   On offense, Paul's brother Daniel Carter scored three TDs rushing raising his MSFA-leading total to 13. Jared Clodfelter hauled in two TD passes and USF finished with 492 yards in total offense. The Cougars scored on their first three possessions and 6 of 7 first half possessions.
   "We couldn't have asked for a much better first half effort," USF coach Kevin Donley said after USF dashed to a 42-0 lead after the first 30 minutes. "Defense, offense, special teams . . . we got contributions from every phase in the first half. We lacked the intensity we had in the first half, but overall another excellent effort. We still have things to work on."
   Ross Bauman got things start right for USF with the opening kickoff. MC avoided kicking to Daniel Carter, but Bauman made them pay with a 55-yard return to the Knights 31. On the first play from scrimmage, Mickey Cassidy took a toss from Wedding, then pulled up and hit a wide open Clodfelter for a 31-yard TD and with just 14 seconds having run off the clock, the Cougars led 7-0 after the Rhys Barnhart extra point.
   USF's defense forced MC (3-3, 0-3 MEL) into a three and out, and USF used up more clock scoring on the seventh play of the possession -- a 16-yarder from Wedding to Clodfelter for a 14-0 lead at the 10:43 point. Daniel Carter capped the third possession with an 11-yard TD scamper and after Paul's INT TD, his fifth for a TD which ties the MSFA career record, Daniel added runs of 5 and 2 yards for a 42-0 USF lead by halftime.
Not many teams throw in the general vicinity of Paul Carter, who had only two previous INT opportunities this season. He went high in the air to pluck his first interception this season, then used a wave of blockers to weave his way to the TD.
"It wasn't easy by no means, but my teammates got out in front a got me through the traffic," a smiling Carter said after the win in his hometown. "It felt great to get that first one because I haven't had many chances. Nobody throws my way."
Carter's fifth interception and TD tied two MSFA records -- one for career TD interception returns and the other for career INTs. Carter tied the league mark of 19 set by Geneva's Mark Villella (2000-03) and the INT TD record set by Nate Weihrauch (Findlay, 1994-96). Carter's 19th broke a USF tie for career INTs with Scott Payne (1998-01). And he added to his league record for INT yardage pushing the mark to 544.
  Hudson's fumble recovery and ensuing TD was the only USF score in the third quarter. USF backup QB Shaine Tierney contributed to two USF fourth quarter TDs -- running four yards for one and passing to Ben Clifford for the ninth USF TD.
USF takes next Saturday off before resuming playing on Oct. 25 at Bishop D'Arcy Stadium with a noon kickoff against No. 25 Malone University.