McConnell Caps Comeback at Juniata as Streeter Wins 150th
From the Gettysburg College Website:
McConnell Caps Comeback at Juniata as Streeter Wins 150th
Box Score
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Senior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) rushed for a career-high 146 yards, none bigger than his game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, as Gettysburg rallied from a 14-7 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat host Juniata College 24-20 in a Centennial Conference tilt Saturday afternoon at a chilly Knox Stadium.
With the win, Gettysburg’s third in a row, head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 150th career victory.
The Bullets (3-4, 3-2 CC), who overcame 11 penalties for 90 yards, moved into a tie with Moravian College for second place in the conference standings.
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw for 165 yards on 11-of-24 passing while rushing for additional 57 yards and one TD. He continues to share Gettysburg’s career touchdown record pass record of 33 and is now 286 yards shy of the school’s all-time passing yards record of 5,136. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) caught six passes for a career-high 94 yards.
Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./East Pennsbury) had a big defensive game for the Bullets, blocking a field goal, breaking up two passes, and forcing a fumble on a sack. Junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) added nine tackles and had a key fumble recovery late in the game while senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) also made nine tackles.
Jay Leonard threw for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19-of-39 and two touchdowns for the Eagles.
Leading 17-14, the Bullets took over at their own 47-yard line with 2:03 left after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs. Two plays later, McConnell blasted up the middle and outraced several defenders into the end zone as the Bullets pushed their lead to 24-14.
Juniata (1-6, 1-4 CC) came back with a seven-play, 59-yard scoring drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Leonard with 1:08 showing. But the extra point was blocked by sophomore safety John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional), and sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) corralled the onside kick, allowing the Bullets to run out the rest of the clock.
It was the second straight fourth-quarter comeback for the Bullets, who also rallied from a 38-34 deficit in their 48-41 win over Moravian last week.
McConnell recorded his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game. His career-high coming into the game was 73 yards.
Juniata threatened on its first two drives of the game after receiving excellent field position on both possessions, but Jerrold single-handedly snuffed out both threats. After the Eagles Andy Miller returned an interception 32 yards to the Gettysburg-33, the Eagles went four-and-out, with Jerrold batting down a pass at the line of scrimmage to give his team the ball on downs.
After the Bullets went three-and-out on their second drive, Brandon Spayd returned a punt 32 yards to the Gettysburg-33. But the drive stalled at the Bullet-17, and Jerrold came through again, getting a hand on a 34-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter.
Gettysburg’s offense found some life on its third drive, moving 67 yards to the Juniata-13. But a 30-yard field goal attempt by senior Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) sailed wide left.
The two teams then traded punts before the Eagles put together a 15-play, 67-yard drive. Juniata converted two third downs and one fourth down along the way before receiving a first-and-goal at the Bullet-2 following a pass interference penalty in the end zone. After Leonard was stopped on consecutive quarterback keepers, he found a wide-open Lance Curry in the middle of the end zone for a 1-yard TD pass, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 5:49 to go in the opening half.
The Bullets started their final two drives of the half with favorable field position, but failed to score on both occasions. After a short kickoff and a 16-yard return from McConnell, a five-yard Juniata offsides penalty put Gettysburg at its own 49. Five plays later, Flynn burst own the left side of the field for a 24-yard, first-down run on a third-and-22, putting the Bullets at the Juniata-6. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) sprinted just inside the right pylon on the next play, but a holding penalty erased the TD, and four plays later Huson had his 28-yard field goal blocked with 2:03 on the clock.
The Gettysburg defense dug in once again, forcing a three-and-out and receiving the ball at the Eagle-18 after a shanked punt. But after a pair of short runs sandwiched around a 7-yard pass, the Bullets went for it on fourth-and-4, and Flynn’s pass over the middle was broken up. Juniata then took a knee to run off the final 29 seconds of the half.
In the second half, the Bullets finally finished off a drive, going 75 yards on seven plays before scoring on a McConnell 1-yard touchdown plunge. A 22-yard run by Curcio gave Gettysburg the ball at midfield, and a 23-yard pass from Flynn to sophomore Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) moved the Bullets to the Eagle-25. Two plays later, Juniata was called for pass interference in the end zone, and Gettysburg received the ball at the 15-yard line. Flynn then rushed for 14 yards to within inches of the goal line before McConnell’s score with 10:25 left in the third quarter. Huson’s extra point made it a 7-7 game.
The teams exchanged punts before the Eagles went back in front following a short drive. After receiving the ball on a punt at the Gettysburg-32, Juniata needed just seven plays to find the end zone, with Leonard hitting Matt Dunker for a 2-yard touchdown pass, putting Juniata on top 14-7 with 3:26 left in the third quarter.
Gettysburg gave Juniata the ball right back on the first play of the ensuing drive, as junior wing Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) had the ball stripped at the end of a 10-yard run, and the Eagles fell on it at the Juniata-46. However, the Eagles were unable to capitalize, as the Bullets forced a punt on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Bullets tied it up midway through the fourth quarter, when Flynn scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 7:55 left. After Gettysburg forced a second straight Juniata punt, McConnell broke off a 31-yard run to give his team a first down at the Eagle-11, and Flynn scored five plays later on a third-and-goal.
On the ensuing kickoff, Juniata’s Brandon Spayd dropped the ball at the Eagle-30, where Widdoes fell on it to come up with his career fumble recovery. After driving 25 yards on eight plays, the Bullets took the lead for good when Huson drilled through a 21-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining, putting Gettysburg up 17-14.
Juniata turned the ball over on downs on its next possession before McConnell’s big run.
Gettysburg out-gained the Eagles 431-230 for the game and held the Eagles to 73 yards rushing on 33 carries.
The Bullets return to action next Saturday, when they visit Dickinson College in another Centennial Conference match-up starting at 1 p.m.
McConnell Caps Comeback at Juniata as Streeter Wins 150th
Box Score
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Senior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) rushed for a career-high 146 yards, none bigger than his game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, as Gettysburg rallied from a 14-7 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat host Juniata College 24-20 in a Centennial Conference tilt Saturday afternoon at a chilly Knox Stadium.
With the win, Gettysburg’s third in a row, head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 150th career victory.
The Bullets (3-4, 3-2 CC), who overcame 11 penalties for 90 yards, moved into a tie with Moravian College for second place in the conference standings.
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw for 165 yards on 11-of-24 passing while rushing for additional 57 yards and one TD. He continues to share Gettysburg’s career touchdown record pass record of 33 and is now 286 yards shy of the school’s all-time passing yards record of 5,136. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) caught six passes for a career-high 94 yards.
Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./East Pennsbury) had a big defensive game for the Bullets, blocking a field goal, breaking up two passes, and forcing a fumble on a sack. Junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) added nine tackles and had a key fumble recovery late in the game while senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) also made nine tackles.
Jay Leonard threw for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19-of-39 and two touchdowns for the Eagles.
Leading 17-14, the Bullets took over at their own 47-yard line with 2:03 left after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs. Two plays later, McConnell blasted up the middle and outraced several defenders into the end zone as the Bullets pushed their lead to 24-14.
Juniata (1-6, 1-4 CC) came back with a seven-play, 59-yard scoring drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Leonard with 1:08 showing. But the extra point was blocked by sophomore safety John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional), and sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) corralled the onside kick, allowing the Bullets to run out the rest of the clock.
It was the second straight fourth-quarter comeback for the Bullets, who also rallied from a 38-34 deficit in their 48-41 win over Moravian last week.
McConnell recorded his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game. His career-high coming into the game was 73 yards.
Juniata threatened on its first two drives of the game after receiving excellent field position on both possessions, but Jerrold single-handedly snuffed out both threats. After the Eagles Andy Miller returned an interception 32 yards to the Gettysburg-33, the Eagles went four-and-out, with Jerrold batting down a pass at the line of scrimmage to give his team the ball on downs.
After the Bullets went three-and-out on their second drive, Brandon Spayd returned a punt 32 yards to the Gettysburg-33. But the drive stalled at the Bullet-17, and Jerrold came through again, getting a hand on a 34-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter.
Gettysburg’s offense found some life on its third drive, moving 67 yards to the Juniata-13. But a 30-yard field goal attempt by senior Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) sailed wide left.
The two teams then traded punts before the Eagles put together a 15-play, 67-yard drive. Juniata converted two third downs and one fourth down along the way before receiving a first-and-goal at the Bullet-2 following a pass interference penalty in the end zone. After Leonard was stopped on consecutive quarterback keepers, he found a wide-open Lance Curry in the middle of the end zone for a 1-yard TD pass, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 5:49 to go in the opening half.
The Bullets started their final two drives of the half with favorable field position, but failed to score on both occasions. After a short kickoff and a 16-yard return from McConnell, a five-yard Juniata offsides penalty put Gettysburg at its own 49. Five plays later, Flynn burst own the left side of the field for a 24-yard, first-down run on a third-and-22, putting the Bullets at the Juniata-6. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) sprinted just inside the right pylon on the next play, but a holding penalty erased the TD, and four plays later Huson had his 28-yard field goal blocked with 2:03 on the clock.
The Gettysburg defense dug in once again, forcing a three-and-out and receiving the ball at the Eagle-18 after a shanked punt. But after a pair of short runs sandwiched around a 7-yard pass, the Bullets went for it on fourth-and-4, and Flynn’s pass over the middle was broken up. Juniata then took a knee to run off the final 29 seconds of the half.
In the second half, the Bullets finally finished off a drive, going 75 yards on seven plays before scoring on a McConnell 1-yard touchdown plunge. A 22-yard run by Curcio gave Gettysburg the ball at midfield, and a 23-yard pass from Flynn to sophomore Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) moved the Bullets to the Eagle-25. Two plays later, Juniata was called for pass interference in the end zone, and Gettysburg received the ball at the 15-yard line. Flynn then rushed for 14 yards to within inches of the goal line before McConnell’s score with 10:25 left in the third quarter. Huson’s extra point made it a 7-7 game.
The teams exchanged punts before the Eagles went back in front following a short drive. After receiving the ball on a punt at the Gettysburg-32, Juniata needed just seven plays to find the end zone, with Leonard hitting Matt Dunker for a 2-yard touchdown pass, putting Juniata on top 14-7 with 3:26 left in the third quarter.
Gettysburg gave Juniata the ball right back on the first play of the ensuing drive, as junior wing Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) had the ball stripped at the end of a 10-yard run, and the Eagles fell on it at the Juniata-46. However, the Eagles were unable to capitalize, as the Bullets forced a punt on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Bullets tied it up midway through the fourth quarter, when Flynn scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 7:55 left. After Gettysburg forced a second straight Juniata punt, McConnell broke off a 31-yard run to give his team a first down at the Eagle-11, and Flynn scored five plays later on a third-and-goal.
On the ensuing kickoff, Juniata’s Brandon Spayd dropped the ball at the Eagle-30, where Widdoes fell on it to come up with his career fumble recovery. After driving 25 yards on eight plays, the Bullets took the lead for good when Huson drilled through a 21-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining, putting Gettysburg up 17-14.
Juniata turned the ball over on downs on its next possession before McConnell’s big run.
Gettysburg out-gained the Eagles 431-230 for the game and held the Eagles to 73 yards rushing on 33 carries.
The Bullets return to action next Saturday, when they visit Dickinson College in another Centennial Conference match-up starting at 1 p.m.
posted by Pat McConnell | 4:21 PM
2 Comments:
I have read most of the blogs for the bullets this year.I have yet to see any offensive lineman names mentioned once. YOU DONOT HAVE THE TOP RATED OFFENSE FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW WITHOUT GOOD OFFENSIVE LINEMAN.I think we should give the o line some of the credit for our offensive prowess. emmit walthall
coachsam77@verizon.net
Great point Emmit! I only post what is published by the College, Conference and news media. These are not my comments this is what is published by these sources and shared with the Bullets fans. I would suggest contacting the SID at the College, and the web contacts and sports writers for the publications that report on Gettysburg Bullets football!
Go Bullets!!!
Pat McConnell
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