Trojans Make History in 31-16 Victory
September 03, 2009
The Taylor football team made history Thursday night by defeating Anderson University 31-16 in the first ever night game played at Taylor's Jim Wheeler Memorial Stadium. Winning in front of a crowd of 3,450, Taylor retains the Wagon Wheel for the second straight year.
"The support tonight was great," said Taylor head coach Ron Korfmacher. "When the lights came up, it was really a lot of fun. It made it even better that we played well enough to win."
Making his Taylor debut, senior Pagel Williams added to the electricity of the night by finishing with two punt returns for touchdowns and a school record 187 punt return yards. Williams broke the previous mark of 96 yards held by Mike Garty since 1992.
"Pagel gave us a huge lift tonight," Korfmacher commented. "He fielded every punt just perfectly, and he has that special gift; the explosiveness and speed to finish."
The Taylor defense forced four turnovers in the game and sacked Anderson quarterbacks three different times. Despite being outgained 294-280, the Taylor defense gave up just 24 yards on the ground, allowing less than one yard per Anderson rush.
"Our defense flew around tonight, and really played well," said Korfmacher. "To hold [Anderson] to 3 of 17 on third downs was a big stat for us."
Taylor lit the scoreboard first when Shaun Addison connected with Trenton Schmale on a 16-yard corner route following an interception by Taylor senior Brandon Mitchell that gave the Trojans prime field position at the Anderson 35-yard line.
Korfmacher pointed out the play of his junior quarterback. "Shaun [Addison] had some pivotal plays in the pocket tonight. He just found ways to get us on the scoreboard."
Just under three minutes later, Anderson responded with their first score when Mitch Grider found Michael Joyce for a 10-yard touchdown. Nahum Masimer blocked the Anderson extra-point and allowed Taylor to maintain a 7-6 lead.
Marcellus Burton returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards for Taylor to the Anderson 41-yard line. Addison took advantage with Taylor's longest play of the night on a 27-yard reception for Kris Kemp. Addison plunged from the one-yard line for his first touchdown of the season as Taylor went up 13-7.
Later in the second quarter Taylor put together a drive that went 55 yards in 15 plays, but came to an abrupt end on the Anderson seven-yard line after a Taylor fumble.
After forcing the turnover, Anderson went three and out on the next drive. Then came the coming out party for Pagel Williams, as he returned Anderson's punt 54 yards for a touchdown and a 19-6 Taylor lead.
Seven plays and 62 yards later, Anderson was on the scoreboard again when Tristan Cork nailed a 32-yard field goal to draw the Ravens within 10 points at the half.
Both teams sputtered out of the gate in the second half, combining for just 34 yards of offense in the first five possessions. Taylor reached the Anderson one-yard line and threatened to score, but a substitution infraction bumped the Trojans back to the six-yard line before Addison threw his only interception of the game to Anderson's Chance Benbow.
That was the last pass of the day for Addison, who finished the night 16-of-31 for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Freshman quarterback Nick Freeman took advantage of his first game action by completing five of six passes for 52 yards to go along with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Schmale, his second scoring catch of the night.
With just under eight minutes remaining in the game, Williams broke into the Taylor record books one more time on a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown to put Taylor up 31-9. The return eclipsed the old mark of 67 yards previously held by Garty.
Anderson began to find their rhythm on offense late in the game with a 13-play, 65 yard drive that resulted in a Mitch Grider to Shane Peacock scoring play. After a Taylor punt, Anderson drove another 67 yards before the time ran out on a final score of 31-16.
Freshman running back Travis Spitnale led all rushers with 59 yards on 26 carries. Senior wideout Trevor Terrell hauled in nine catches for 81 yards, including his longest catch of 14 yards.
Senior linebacker Reed Smith anchored the Trojans defense with eight solos and six assists to go along with one tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
The kicking units struggled for Taylor, as they made good on only one of four point after attempts and had the only field goal attempt of the night blocked.
Taylor (1-0) travels to William Penn (0-2) next Saturday. The Statesmen were in the others receiving votes section of the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll.