Trojans Outlasted by No. 21 Walsh
October 17, 2009
The Taylor University football team allowed 285 rushing yards to No. 21 Walsh (Ohio) University and fell 31-12 to the Cavaliers on Homecoming Saturday at Jim Wheeler Memorial Stadium.
Walsh (5-2, 2-1), which came into the game with the nation's eighth best rushing attack (220.8), held true to form by wearing down the Trojans defense by possessing the ball for nearly 37 minutes. Clinton Blossomgame, the NAIA's second-leading rusher, piled up 224 yards and a score for the Cavs.
"They were what we thought they would be in terms of running the football," Taylor head coach Ron Korfmacher said of the Walsh offense. "They are a fantastic running team."
The game's opening drive saw Taylor (3-3, 1-2) take the ball 64 yards before Cory Anderson was stopped for a one-yard loss on a fourth and five play at the Walsh 6.
The Homecoming crowd was ignited on the next series when freshman Jordan Bradford blocked a punt at the Walsh 28, where Marcellus Burton scooped the ball and ran in for the score and a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point.
For the next 18 minutes the two teams traded punts until Walsh quarterback Jim Shiplett plunged in for a one-yard touchdown following a 65-yard drive that put Walsh up 7-6.
After Taylor's third three-and-out of the half, the Cavs mounted their second straight scoring drive. This time it was a 59-yard drive that ended with Shiplett finding Joe Morgan on a perfectly thrown ball in the corner of the north end zone.
With Walsh leading 14-6 and just 1:20 remaining until halftime, the Taylor offense did anything but turn conservative. Addison found Trenton Schmale on a sideline route that netted 57 yards down to the Walsh 10. The Trojans ran two straight running plays to get to the three-yard line and then called timeout to set up a three-yard touchdown pass from Addison to tight end Travis Tomaszewski with 13 second showing on the clock. Taylor's two-point conversation attempt failed, and the Trojans headed to halftime trailing 14-12.
On Taylor's second possession of the second half Addison completed back-to-back passes of 43 and 23 yards before throwing his only interception of the game to Walsh's Chris Bivins at the Walsh 9. The Cavs drove 66 yards on 10 plays, but they were held to a field goal that made the score 17-12.
"We knew we'd have to be flawless in the second half in terms of not turning the ball over," Korfmacher said. "We had some penalties in the second half that really hurt us as well. Walsh is too good of a football team to give a short field to all day."
The Walsh offense continued to chew up the clock and scored on two of their next three possessions to close out the scoring at 31-12.
Taylor outgained Walsh through the air with 213 yards passing from quarterback Shaun Addison, but the Trojans managed just 71 yards rushing. Addison finished 21-of-35 with one touchdown and an interception. The junior also led the Trojans on the ground with 46 yards.
Schmale led the Trojans receiving corps with 71 yards on three catches. Trevor Terrell hauled in six passes for 57 yards.
The Taylor defense was led by sophomore Nahum Masimer, who collected 11 total tackles (5 solo/12 assists). The defensive lineman also recorded two tackles for loss, including a sack.
The Taylor offense never found its rhythm at the key times during the game, finishing just 3-of-13 on third down attempts. Walsh made good on 10-of-20 third down opportunities.
Taylor hosts Trinity International (Ill.) next week for a 1 p.m. kickoff.