2008 Woodie Awards
Football done in by first-quarter blitz
Pat Slack
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
After winning a heart-stopping, six overtime thriller last weekend, the St. Olaf football team was on the receiving end of a 49-21 blowout against Augsburg Saturday.
Augsburg struck early and often at their homecoming game, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter, including 21 unanswered points to open the game, giving the visiting Oles scant time to catch their breath. Coty Watkins '09 seemed to give the visitors some life, breaking a 43-yard run to the end zone to get the Oles on the board.
However, any change in the tide would be immediately erased as the Auggies returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown, giving Augsburg a 28-7 lead after the first quarter.
"Unfortunately, we had a very nice drive and momentum going our way only to have them answer in less than 20 seconds," head coach Jerry Olszewski said. "We felt with our game plan we could have moved the ball at will rushing."
The Oles would keep trying to work their way back into the contest, taking advantage of great position from an Augsburg unsportsmanlike penalty. John Haberman '10 connected with Ryan St. John '09 on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cap a 44-yard drive, once again getting the Oles within two scores.
St. Olaf's defense couldn't manage their first stop of the game though, as the dynamic Auggie duo of Jordan Berg and Royce Winford continued to thrive, connecting for their second of three touchdown hook-ups, this time on a 5-yard toss. Berg finished the day with 397 yards through the air, while Winford caught 13 of those passes for 116 yards.
"The best quarterback and wide receiver in the conference, coupled with a scheme that highlights both players is very tough," Olszewski said. "When they are on like they were on Saturday it is a very difficult task to shut them down.
The Oles would head into the break trailing 35-14, where the score would remain after a scoreless third quarter. The Auggies would continue to pile on early in the fourth, pounding the football in once more on a Berg-to-Winford pass and a 64-yard fumble recovery for a score.
Haberman would move the football 53 yards through the air following the fumble recovery, wrapping up the drive with a short 3-yard throw to tight end Mike Shimsock '10. Pat Wadzinski '09 tacked on his third extra-point to conclude the scoring on the day.
Watkins was the leading rusher on the day, carrying 10 times for 62 yards. Haberman passed for 173 yards, with his top targets being Jared Mueller '11 for 60 yards and Evan Endsley '09 for 50 yards.
St. Olaf is at home Saturday for their homecoming game against rival Carleton in the Cereal Bowl. The Oles blasted the Knights 85-28 in last-year's match-up. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Augsburg struck early and often at their homecoming game, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter, including 21 unanswered points to open the game, giving the visiting Oles scant time to catch their breath. Coty Watkins '09 seemed to give the visitors some life, breaking a 43-yard run to the end zone to get the Oles on the board.
However, any change in the tide would be immediately erased as the Auggies returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown, giving Augsburg a 28-7 lead after the first quarter.
"Unfortunately, we had a very nice drive and momentum going our way only to have them answer in less than 20 seconds," head coach Jerry Olszewski said. "We felt with our game plan we could have moved the ball at will rushing."
The Oles would keep trying to work their way back into the contest, taking advantage of great position from an Augsburg unsportsmanlike penalty. John Haberman '10 connected with Ryan St. John '09 on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cap a 44-yard drive, once again getting the Oles within two scores.
St. Olaf's defense couldn't manage their first stop of the game though, as the dynamic Auggie duo of Jordan Berg and Royce Winford continued to thrive, connecting for their second of three touchdown hook-ups, this time on a 5-yard toss. Berg finished the day with 397 yards through the air, while Winford caught 13 of those passes for 116 yards.
"The best quarterback and wide receiver in the conference, coupled with a scheme that highlights both players is very tough," Olszewski said. "When they are on like they were on Saturday it is a very difficult task to shut them down.
The Oles would head into the break trailing 35-14, where the score would remain after a scoreless third quarter. The Auggies would continue to pile on early in the fourth, pounding the football in once more on a Berg-to-Winford pass and a 64-yard fumble recovery for a score.
Haberman would move the football 53 yards through the air following the fumble recovery, wrapping up the drive with a short 3-yard throw to tight end Mike Shimsock '10. Pat Wadzinski '09 tacked on his third extra-point to conclude the scoring on the day.
Watkins was the leading rusher on the day, carrying 10 times for 62 yards. Haberman passed for 173 yards, with his top targets being Jared Mueller '11 for 60 yards and Evan Endsley '09 for 50 yards.
St. Olaf is at home Saturday for their homecoming game against rival Carleton in the Cereal Bowl. The Oles blasted the Knights 85-28 in last-year's match-up. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
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