Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006

NAIA FCS Semi-final

Box score

   FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Mom always warned, "Don't play with fireworks!"

   Unfortunately for Saint Xavier University, the Cougars didn't have any choice. The University of Saint Francis burned the visitors with its own package of fireworks -- freshman Daniel Carter -- in a 49-20 win over the Cougars from Chicago.

  On the second play of the game, Carter exploded through an opening, bounced to the USF sideline breaking two tackles and then like a rocket, he was gone -- 80 yards for a touchdown to ignite the USF offense toward 551 yards of fireworks. The USF Cougars' 13th win for a third consecutive season fires the NAIA's top-ranked team back to the NAIA Football Championship Series title game on December 16 in Savannah, Tenn.

"Dynamite comes in small packages," USF coach Kevin Donley observed after Carter's dazzling display propelled USF back to the title game in just its ninth season.

  Carter (Indianapolis, IN / Decatur Central H.S.) added a record-tying 81-yard dazzler early in the second quarter pushing USF's lead to 21-0 while leaving little doubt about the final outcome. Carter was named NAIA Offensive Player of the Game finishing with 194 yards rushing averaging 21.6 yards per carry. He also had two kickoff returns for 44 yards and two pass receptions for 23 yards 261 all-purpose yards.

USF quarterback Eric Hooks (Indianapolis, IN / North Central H.S.) complimented Carter's effort hitting 14-of-16 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Hooks also ran for a touchdown. USF senior wide receiver Bo Thompson (Indianapolis, IN / Ben Davis) had six receptions for 134 yards including an 18-yard pass from Hooks.

   USF finished with 551 yards total offense to win its 39th consecutive home game.

    "We got into a rhythm, Carter started it, and it just snowballed," Donley said. "It was a momentum game early. The play our defense made on the fake field goal was big and we just HAD to put that question mark in their mind because they were extremely confident coming in here and rightfully so after what they had accomplished to get here.

"We thought we were going to throw to run, but it kind of worked in reverse."

   SXU (10-3) had won at No. 7 Georgetown College, 42-28, in the first round. Then last week they went to No. 4 Carroll College (MT) and chilled the four-time defending champs 14-7.

   After Carter's first touchdown, SXU advanced to the USF 1-yard line but senior ILB Brian Kurtz and sophomore ILB Dustin Westafer (North Manchester, IN / Manchester) turned back SXU back Jason Banning's dive toward the end zone. SXU was trying for the TD on fourth down, but a false start pushed SXU back to just outside the USF 5-yard line. The Cougars lined up for a field-goal attempt, but it was a fake and Jim Doherty tried to get outside. Bret Winegarder wouldn't bite on the fake and along with Westafer dropped Doherty for a 2-yard gain.

"That was a momentum swing, either keep them out of the end zone or hold them to a field goal," Donley said.

  USF (13-0) methodically moved the ball 96 yards on eight plays to add to its lead. Thompson hauled in a Hooks' pass for a 67-yard gain and six plays later, Hooks hit freshman Taylor Vieck (Vincennes, IN / Lincoln) on a 13-yard pass for a TD.

   USF DE Tim Farrell (Fort Wayne, IN / Carroll) and Westafer combined to sack SXU starting QB Billy Yeo for a 13-yard loss to start the Cougars' second possession. After a 57-yard Sean Collins punt, Carter exploded again with 14:48 to play in the second quarter. SXU replied with a 30-yard Shane Longest field goal, but USF responded with a 6-play, 56-yard drive capped Zach Rainey's (Indianapolis, IN / Ben Davis) 18-yard TD reception from Hooks. Cale Grzych (Ossian, IN / Norwell) added the PAT for a 35-3 USF lead.

  Longest kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, but USF led comfortably 35-6.

If there were still any doubts about the final result, USF answered by recovering Bill McKeon's fumble on the second half opening kickoff. Donovan Evans (Indianapolis / North Central) recovered for the Cougars and three plays later, Marcus Rush (Muncie, IN / Central) powered in for a 6-yard TD.

NAIA Players of the Game

Offense – USF Fr. RB Daniel Carter (Indianapolis, IN)

Defense – USF Sr. OLB Cody Van Duersen (Lowell, IN)

 USF Milestones

 #1 Cougars win 39^th consecutive home game

 USF wins 62nd game out of last 66 (2002 through 12/2/06)

 USF wins 13^th consecutive NAIA FCS game at home, now 13-7 overall in NAIA FCS

 USF wins 21st game in a row at home vs. NAIA Top 25 opposition

 Next: NAIA FCS Championship -- #2 Sioux Falls (13-0) vs. #1 USF (13-0)
 Sat., Dec. 16, 2006, Savannah, Tenn.

-- GO USF --