Sept. 30, 2006

Bulldogs surge past Kalamazoo, 35-14
Adrian offense erupts in MIAA opener

By Ed Patino, Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich.-- The Adrian College Bulldogs had a strong response for a slow start.
With the offense firing on all cylinders for the first time this season, the Bulldogs roared to a 35-14 victory over the Kalamazoo College Hornets in the MIAA opener for both teams at the Adrian College Performance Stadium.

Adrian (2-2, 1-0 MIAA) rolled up a season-high 578 yards of offense. Quarterback Andy Denryter threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns, while the Bulldogs’ rushing attack produced 270 yards.

It was Kalamazoo (0-3, 0-1 MIAA) that started fast, scoring on its first two possessions. The Hornets capped a 14-play, 87-yard drive midway through the first quarter when Jordan Tallman hit Jimmy Semelsberger for a 10-yard touchdown. Kalamazoo put together a 15-play, 80-yard drive on its next possession, and Tallman connected with Mike Leifeld for a 5-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the second quarter, giving the Hornets a 14-0 lead.

Adrian sprung to life on the ensuing possession, going 68-yard on five plays. Denryter hit Phil Widzinski for a 16-yard touchdown, putting the Bulldogs on the board.

The Bulldogs struck quickly again with just under four minutes left in the half. T.J. Williams ran in a 10-yard score, capping a 3-play, 85-yard drive and tying the game. With 40 seconds remaining, Williams caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Denryter, giving Adrian a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Denryter threw an interception in the end zone on Adrian’s first possession of the third quarter, but came back strong. After putting together a long drive late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs increased their lead on the first play of the fourth when Denryter lobbed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Reagan, making it 28-14.

The Hornets drove the field on the ensuing possession, but were faced with fourth-and-goal at the Adrian 9. Kalamazoo went for it, but senior linebacker A.J. Marry, who missed the first three games with an injury, made a big-time hit on a pass breakup.

That set up a history-making play. Troy Niblock took a handoff on the ensuing play and bolted 91-yards for a touchdown with 4:50 remaining to close out the scoring. Niblock’s run ties the Adrian school record for longest rushing touchdown (Chris Clay vs. Tri-State, 2003).

Denryter completed 23-of-36 passes. Chester Evans made six catches for 82 yards, while Reagan had 60 yards on five catches. Williams finished with 142 total yards of offense, running for 93 yards on 17 carries and catching five passes for 49 yards. Niblock had 93 yards on three carries, while Anthony Tocco gained 56 yards on three carries.

Brandon Mohney led Adrian’s defense with 11 tackles and a key second-quarter interception. Tavarski “Taz” Wallace added nine tackles, while Dan Krsteski had eight tackles. Marry and Aaron Kieltyka each made seven tackles for the Bulldogs.

Tallman was 28-for-46 passing for 233 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Hornets. Stephen Johnston had 96 yards on 14 carries, while Semelsberger made eight catches for 77 yards. Leifeld caught seven passes for 65 yards for Kalamazoo.

The Bulldogs will travel to Olivet College on Oct. 7 for a 6 p.m. game at the Cutler Athletic Complex. Adrian defeated the Comets 37-31 in overtime in last year’s game at Maple Stadium.

The home team has won the last four meetings between the teams.