Big Second Half Lifts Valparaiso Over Davidson

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Valparaiso's Anthony Curry picked off a Ryan Alexander pass in overtime to preserve a 35-29 Pioneer Football League victory over Davidson at Brown Field Saturday afternoon.

On 3rd-and-8 from the 10-yard line, Alexander overthrew Myles Potter on a wide receiver screen pass, and the ball wound up in the arms of Curry.

The Crusaders (2-3, 1-1 PFL) got the ball first in the extra session, and Jake Riedel rushed in the end zone from two yards out. David Hamaker missed the point after, leaving the door open for the Wildcats (2-3, 1-2 PFL).

Valpo dedicated its new turf field before the game and broke it in by rushing for 351 yards, including 244 in the second stanza to overcome a 21-6 halftime deficit by scoring 23 straight points.

With Davidson trailing 29-21, Kenny Mantuo scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run. Forced to go for the two-point conversion, Alexander found Kirk Konert in the end zone to tie the game with 1:47 remaining.

The 'Cats converted two fourth downs during the game-tying drive. Facing 4th-and-7, Alexander bought time and found Konert in the middle of the field for a 20-yard gain. Then on 4th-and-3 from the 12, Alexander hit Potter for a 10-yard gain.

The Crusaders drove down to Davidson the 26-yard line after an 11-yard pass completion on third down, but on 4th-and-1 with the clock running out, Valpo could not get its kicking unit on the field in time for what would have been a 44-yard game-winning field goal try.

Davidson scored on three of its first four possessions of the game, but the Crusaders stormed back and dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in the second frame. Valpo threw just five passes in the half, completing two. Meanwhile, the Crusader defense gave up 41 rushing yards.

With Valparaiso trailing, 21-16, Ross Wiemer scored on a 49-yard TD run with 13:31 left in the game. The Crusaders went for the two-point conversion but didn't get it and settled for a 22-21 lead, their first of the game. The play capped an 8-play, 99-yard drive.

Davidson tried to answer, but had a drive stall at the Crusader 32-yard line. After a Konert punt went into the end zone, Valpo went 80 yards in seven plays for a 29-21 cushion. Wiemer capped the drive with a 17-yard TD run.

Wiemer finished the game with 22 carries for 170 yards and three touchdowns, while Riedel rushed for 75 yards and a score on 14 carries. Warren Arnold ran for 66 yards and threw for 75.

Chad Barnes led the Davidson offense with 75 yards and a TD on 13 carries, and Justin Williams rushed for 44 yards. Mantuo finished the contest with three TDs on the ground.

The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and drove 70 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Mantuo capped the drive with a 9-yard TD run, and Ben Behrendt added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

After the Wildcat defense got a three-and-out, Barnes capped a nine-play, 54-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run that made the score 14-0. The 'Cats faced a 4th-and-7 on the Valpo 31-yard line, but consecutive offsides penalties by the Crusaders gave Davidson a fresh set of downs.

Valparaiso got on the board with a Hamaker field goal with 12:31 left in the second quarter. The Crusaders converted a 4th-and-1 on the Davidson 27, but on 3rd-and-5 from the 8, John Behm sacked Arnold to force the field goal try.

Davidson made the lead 21-3 with 5:20 left in the first half, when Alexander hit Justin Williams for a 32-yard touchdown on a screen pass.

A muffed catch on a Valpo punt gave the Crusaders the ball on the Davidson 32 with 2:31 remaining, but Brandon Giles intercepted an Arnold pass on the first play from scrimmage. The Crusaders got a 3-and-out and the ball back on their own 46 with 1:31 to play. Valpo drove down to the 23, and Hamaker knocked in a 40-yard field goal to make the margin 21-6.

After Williams gave the 'Cats good field position with a 31-yard kick return, Alexander launched a pass 48 yards to the end zone where it was tipped and caught by Konert as the horn sounded. But Davidson was whistled for an ineligible man down field, and Alexander's second shot at the Hail Mary was intercepted.

Valpo took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove went 60 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown to cut the cushion to 21-13 with 9:34 left in the third quarter. Wiemer capped the drive with an 8-yard TD run up the middle.

A Kyle Himmelwright interception gave the Crusaders the ball right back. On 3rd-and-5, from the Davidson 26, Matt Easton broke up a pass to force a field goal try. Hamaker nailed a 43-yard field goal to trim the lead to 21-16 with 5:36 to go in the third.

Davidson returns home to host 2007 Pioneer Football League champion Dayton at Richardson Stadium next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Game Notes: It was the seventh overtime game in school history; Davidson is now 3-4… Giles' interception was his third of the season… Hamaker's 43-yard field goal was a career high… Davidson won two coin tosses, including the big one before the beginning of overtime, which gave the 'Cats the ability to go on defense first… It was Davidson's first loss to Valparaiso.

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