Sat., Nov. 1, 2008

   URBANA, Ohio -- After scoring on four of its first five possessions, the scoreboard spoke volumes for the University of Saint Francis. The third-ranked Cougars definitely had the final say, 62-20, on the Blue Knights' senior day at Ellis Stadium.
   The weather felt more like the middle of September -- sunny, low 70s, a light breeze providing some cooling from time to time -- a great day to honor seniors.
   Once the game got under way, however, USF advanced to 8-0 methodically ruining the Blue Knights' celebration. It what most likely was the last meeting between the two institutions on the gridiron, the Cougars improved to 11-0. Daniel Carter, the MSFA scoring leaders, scored the first of two touchdowns with a 24-yard zig-zag effort capping a 5 play, 58 yard game-opening drive.
   On USF's next possession, Cougars' QB Jeff Wedding looped a pass to Elijah Flowers who made a sensational leaping grab pushing the USF lead to 13-0 with 3:24 to play in the first quarter.
   A lost fumble cost USF its third possession, but another three-and-out gave the Cougars the ball at their own 1-yard line. On the sixth play of the drive, Wedding hooked up with Jared Clodfelter for a 57-yard TD, and Rhys Barnhart made it 21-0 with his 94th consecutive extra point kick over the past two seasons -- an NAIA record he set last Saturday with his final kick of the 52-12 win over Walsh.
  Wedding connected with Brian Schultz on the Cougars' next score, 54 yards on an athletic, determined effort by Schultz. UU ended Barnhart's streak when the Blue Knights blocked the extra point try with 9:22 to play in the second quarter.
   USF made it 34-0 when Wedding connected with freshman Koby Frye for a 24-yard TD pass, It was Frye's first collegiate TD in his first collegiate game in his home state of Ohio.
  UU scored with one second left in the first half when Evan Gehlert connected with Ian Iler for a 17-yard TD, but USF blocked the PAT.
   As if there was any doubt about the final outcome, Shaine Tierney connected with Kyle Peabody on a 5-yard TD pass, Carter scored on a 1-yard run, Tierney hit Ben Clifford for a 1-yard TD and LB Adam Greene intercepted a Gehlert pass and lugged it 26-yards for the Cougars final TD and a 62-6 lead.
  Wedding finished a very efficient 16-for-22 passing for 247 yards and four TDs. Tierney's two TD passes helped tie a team record for TDs in a game with six, the first time since 2000 USF has thrown six TD passes in a game. Daniel Carter rushed for 68 yards on 14 carries. Schultz led USF receivers with 84 yards on four receptions. Paul Carter scooped up a UU fumble caused when Ross Bauman and nearly took it back for six before he was forced out of bounds the the UU 2. On fourth and 1, Daniel Carter dashed in for the TD. Tim Farrell had two sacks for 11 yards while Mark Drobac led USF with seven tackles, two solo, two TFLs and a QB hurry.
   The Cougars could secure a share of the 2008 MSFA MEL title with a win over Malone University next Saturday at noon. Malone upset St. Xavier in Canton, Ohio, 27-23 on Saturday.
  Check out MSFA stats and scores at www.mid-statesfootball.org