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Upstart Bridgewater rallies from 30-6 deficit, nearly upsets Hampden-Sydney BRIDGEWATER, VA (October 4, 2008)–The Bridgewater College demons that have plagued Hampden-Sydney into heartbreaking defeats at Jopson Field over the Tigers' past several visits are well documented. Hopefully for Hampden-Sydney, this latest of close calls exorcises any that may have remained. Hampden-Sydney nearly gave up a 30-6 fourth quarter lead to home-standing Bridgewater, who scored 28 points in the final period but fell just short, surrendering a 37-34 decision to the visiting Tigers. With the win, Hampden-Sydney improves to 5-0 overall, 2-0 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference while Bridgewater drops its fourth straight contest and falls to 1-4, 0-1. Trailing 23-6 at halftime and 30-6 after three periods, reserve Bridgewater quarterback Vince Reese tossed three fourth period touchdowns, two on fourth down plays, to lead the comeback charge and pull the Eagles within 37-34 with 4:32 to play in the game. But the Hampden-Sydney offense, which had been slowed significantly in the second half by a swarming Bridgewater defense, ran out the clock on its ensuing possession, helped in large part by a clutch third-and-16 conversion between quarterback Corey Sedlar (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) and receiver E.K. Smock (Manassas, VA/Osbourn). With 1:58 to play and needing 16 yards for a first down from his own 45, Sedlar rolled to his right and delivered a strike on the run to Smock, who tiptoed the sideline one yard past the first down marker. Four plays later on fourth-and-three, with 25 seconds remaining and an Eagles' defender draped on his back, senior Aaron Williams (Centreville, VA/Fairfax) lunged forward for three yards, finally securing the win and helping the Tigers' escape Jopson Field victorious for the first time since 1998. It appeared that no late game heroics would be necessary in the first half. Hampden-Sydney raced out to a 7-0 lead on just its second play from scrimmage when Sedlar found a wide open Smock in the Bridgewater secondary, who outran the Eagles' defense for a 71-yard score. A roughing the kicker penalty and offsides call kept Bridgewater's next drive alive, and starting quarterback Hagan Driskell connected with wide out Tyler Beiler for 37 yards on fourth-and-one to the Hampden-Sydney 4-yard line before David Argaud punched it in from four yards out to bring the Eagles within 7-6 with 8:38 to play in the opening quarter. From that juncture, the Tigers would notch 17 unanswered points before the halftime break, courtesy of two more Sedlar scoring strikes - 20 yards to Zach Miller (Lebanon, VA/Lebanon) and 13 yards to Adam Gillette (Franklin, VA/Nanesmond Suffolk) - and a 21-yard field goal by T.C. Stevens (Alton, VA/Halifax) en route to a 23-6 lead at intermission. In the first half, the Tiger defense smothered Bridgewater's struggling offense, holding the Eagles to 16 yards rushing on 20 attempts while allowing just 99 yards through the air on 8-of-20 accuracy. The Tiger defense continued to excel, holding the Eagles scoreless in the third quarter. Hampden-Sydney extended its lead to 30-6 when Sedlar found Anthony Mancini (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) uncovered in the end zone for a 30-yard score and his fourth TD pass of the afternoon. But Bridgewater head coach Mike Clark's decision to pull quarterback Driskell for back up Reese finally paid dividends in the final 15 minutes. Bridgewater drew within 30-14 with 13:57 remaining in the game when Reese found Rudy Jackson for a 15-yard touchdown on fourth-and-nine. The Tigers appeared to get the game back into their control when they answered just 1:01 later, as Williams caught a short screen pass from Sedlar and raced the remaining 51 yards for a score, extending the Hampden-Sydney advantage to 37-14 with 12:56 on the clock. Two minutes later, the Eagles again came through with a clutch connection on fourth down between Reese and Jackson, this time on fourth-and-four from midfield. Reese rolled to his left and hit Jackson in space, who accelerated past the Tigers' secondary for the 50-yard strike and a 37-21 score with 10:29 to play. Following a Hampden-Sydney fumble, Argaud found the end zone for the second time as he burst through the middle of the Tiger defense to the tune of 22 yards. The two-point conversion failed keeping the deficit at ten, 37-27, with 9:36 remaining. The Tigers went three-and-out on their next possession and the Eagles, once again, made Hampden-Sydney pay, as Reese registered his third TD pass of the quarter when he found Beiler in the corner of the end zone from 19 yards away, bringing the Eagles within 37-34. But Hampden-Sydney mustered the big plays when they needed it, grinding out 33 yards in 10 plays on its next drive to run out the clock and preserve the heart-stopping win. A quarterback sneak on third-and-one, the 17-yard completion to Smock on third-and-16 and the Williams three-yard run on fourth-and-three proved the difference in the final 4:32. Once again in the absence of Simpson, Sedlar enjoyed a monster day passing for five touchdowns and 412 yards on 26-of-44 passing. Smock hauled in four passes for a career-best 117 yards and a score while Williams and Craig Warnement (Charlotte, NC/Charlotte Catholic) combined for 62 yards on the ground. Zach Miller led all receivers with seven catches for 88 yards and a TD. Linebacker Josh Miller (Stephen's City, VA/Sherando) led the defensive effort with eight total tackles. Corners Boaz Young-el (Hopewell, VA/Prince George) and Michael Ware (Goochland, VA/Goochland) each recorded six stops. For the Eagles, David Argaud rushed ten times for a game-high 84 yards and a score. Reese energized the Eagles offense in the second half throwing for three scores and 150 yards on 9-of-23 accuracy. The Tigers outgained the Eagles 481-356 on the day. Hampden-Sydney returns to action next Saturday, October 11 as it welcomes Emory and Henry to Lewis C. Everett Stadium in the Homecoming match up. Game time is scheduled for 1 pm. www.hsc.edu/athletics |
