Bobby Martinez – Sports Reporter
Southern football was primed and ready for their second win on the season against Assumption College, until about 1:15 left in the game where everything changed with a blink of an eye and the Owls let the game slip away, falling by the score of 13-12.
In their previous game against American International College, the offense was non-existent for the Owls. They managed just 167 yards of combined offense, which was a season-low. Owls head coach Tom Godek said after the game in regards to his offense, they need more than field goals to win games.
“Seems like we’re still having some problems down there inside the five,” said Godek. “We practiced it, we’ve been put in situations hoping to get the looks we want ,but we’re still stalling down there. Field goals are great before half, and field goals are good to win a game, but we need to score some touchdowns down there.”
But two missed field goals and a blocked extra point against Assumption haunted the Owls, who could’ve used those extra points in a game where rain made it difficult for both teams to make plays. Southern kicked off the game with a quick three and out forcing a punt to the Greyhounds, who weren’t able to capitalize on downs.
Owls’ kicker Lyle Luth, tried scoring the game’s first points ,but he was unable to connect on a 30-yard field goal, missing it wide right. The Greyhounds would try and get on the board following the Owls’ missed field goal after kicker Tad Beuchert attempted a 43-yard kick, but was also unsuccessful.
It wasn’t until the four minute mark that the Greyhounds got on the board. Junior wide-receiver De’Ontray Johnson, rushed for his first touchdown of the season, giving the Greyhounds a 7-0 lead after a successful extra point. A lead that would stay the same going into the half.
As both the rain and wind started to pick up, both teams headed back onto the field for the second half. The Owls would start on defense where they would force the Greyhounds to three and out. Freshman quarterback Ray Catapano would fuel Southern’s first touchdown of the game after an eight-yard touchdown reception to senior wide receiver Gary Williams. However the Owls’ extra point was unsuccessful after a Greyhounds block.
Watch Ray Catapano fake out everyone – including the cameraman – for a TD run today against Assumption: https://t.co/2Ws0RRXtHc
— SCSU Athletics (@SCSU_Owls) October 4, 2014
Catapano would ignite another Owls march into the end zone after a 22-yard rushing touchdown of his own, giving the Owls a 12-7 lead with 12 minutes left in the game. Things became to get chippy between both teams with four minutes left in the game. Then things got weird, after a Luth punt that were called for an illegal kicking penalty, the Owls were called for a sideline interference on the play as well. The results of the two penalties gave the Greyhounds possession on the Owls five yard line.
Assumption would score a touchdown after junior quarterback Trevor Vasey stretched the ball over the Owls’ defensive line on 4th and goal for a one-yard run, giving the Greyhounds a 13-12 lead after a missed two-point conversion. Southern would have one final chance to win the game, but special teams play hurt them became their undoing as a bobbled kickoff gave the Greyhounds the ball back, ending any chance for a last minute drive. The Owls would go on to lose the game 13-12.
Godek said despite the team’s loss, there were numerous things he liked that his team did and that he hopes this game sparks his team in helping the Owls football program get back to being one of the best in the Northeast-10 conference.
“There were so many good things,” said Godek. “Except the final outcome obviously. Our guys really played well on both sides of the ball. You have to tip your hat to the other team too. There were some extreme weather conditions out here today. There so many positive things regardless of the score, there are so many positive things to getting this program back where it was starting this game here.”
Godek also added, “I liked how we ran the ball which was pretty good. We tried to throw the ball when we could, but with the weather conditions, it’s certainly hard to catch the ball when it’s wet and damp. I thought our offensive line showed up to play a little bit better than they have the first month of the season.”
