2008 Woodie Awards
Gladiators defeated, 14-9
student editor
Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: Sports
The Bulldogs rode their defense to a 14-9 win over Chabot in their home opener Saturday, September 13 improving to 2-0 on the year.
Though CSM allowed Chabot to march down the field on their first possession of the game, their defense would prove to bend but not break. CSM's pressure was too much for Chabot quarterback, Nick Spalliero, after being intercepted by CSM safety, Eddie Elder in the red zone, made possible by the pass rush, forcing Spalliero out of the pocket and throwing off balance.
"The defense played well," CSM head coach Larry Owens said.
Though the Bulldogs defense kept Chabot out of the end zone, it would be Gladiators who struck first. CSM freshman long snapper Tommy Denne snapped the ball over punter Ernesto Lacayo's head in going into the end zone, Ernesto then recovered the ball and ran out of the back of the end zone giving Chabot a 2-point lead, and the ball back.
Chabot was unable to capitalize, however, being forced into a third straight three and out in the half. On CSM's following possession they went on a five play, 84-yard drive ending in a 9-yard touchdown run by running back Daniel Porter, which was set up by a 59-yard reception over the middle of the field by sophomore Danny Keenan with just over 11 minutes to go in the half. CSM wasn't done however. They capped off an eight play 64-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run by Eric Roberson after receiving a pitch off the option from Wes Price, Roberson made one cut to the inside, leaving the Chabot defensive back on the ground with a clear path to the end zone.
The closing of the half ended the same way the game began for Chabot, a long drive down the field ending in a Bull Dog interception inside the red zone by sophomore defensive back Julian Burroughs.
The second half was more of the same for both teams. For CSM, it was a relentless pass rush, made possible by fantastic play in the secondary lead by sophomore cornerback, Warren Ziegler. Although the Bulldogs' defensive backs came up with big plays and allowed CSM to send the blitz, there is still much to improve upon. "We need to do a better job of recognizing coverage's and getting into position, a lot of times guys just rely on there atheism to make up for it," Owens said.
Though CSM allowed Chabot to march down the field on their first possession of the game, their defense would prove to bend but not break. CSM's pressure was too much for Chabot quarterback, Nick Spalliero, after being intercepted by CSM safety, Eddie Elder in the red zone, made possible by the pass rush, forcing Spalliero out of the pocket and throwing off balance.
"The defense played well," CSM head coach Larry Owens said.
Though the Bulldogs defense kept Chabot out of the end zone, it would be Gladiators who struck first. CSM freshman long snapper Tommy Denne snapped the ball over punter Ernesto Lacayo's head in going into the end zone, Ernesto then recovered the ball and ran out of the back of the end zone giving Chabot a 2-point lead, and the ball back.
Chabot was unable to capitalize, however, being forced into a third straight three and out in the half. On CSM's following possession they went on a five play, 84-yard drive ending in a 9-yard touchdown run by running back Daniel Porter, which was set up by a 59-yard reception over the middle of the field by sophomore Danny Keenan with just over 11 minutes to go in the half. CSM wasn't done however. They capped off an eight play 64-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run by Eric Roberson after receiving a pitch off the option from Wes Price, Roberson made one cut to the inside, leaving the Chabot defensive back on the ground with a clear path to the end zone.
The closing of the half ended the same way the game began for Chabot, a long drive down the field ending in a Bull Dog interception inside the red zone by sophomore defensive back Julian Burroughs.
The second half was more of the same for both teams. For CSM, it was a relentless pass rush, made possible by fantastic play in the secondary lead by sophomore cornerback, Warren Ziegler. Although the Bulldogs' defensive backs came up with big plays and allowed CSM to send the blitz, there is still much to improve upon. "We need to do a better job of recognizing coverage's and getting into position, a lot of times guys just rely on there atheism to make up for it," Owens said.
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