Dawgs' defense holds off Griffins in narrow victory
By TODD NIETO, JAMES VERALDI and MATT CASSADY
Sports Writers
Despite a gritty effort by the Stanford defense, the Alumni Dawgs continued on their path to Notre Dame Stadium with their second consecutive shutout 7-0.
Other than an early touchdown by Alumni, the defenses dictated the action and forced frustration on the opposing offenses.
"Our defense won the game. Stanford played really well, and we were happy to get some points on the board," said Alumni captain Mitch Karam.
Alumni got all the points they needed on their opening drive with a 30-yard strike from freshmen quarterback Chris Cottingham to wide receiver Jon Bevilacqua. Brandon Nunnink nailed the extra point to put the Dawgs up for good.
From that point on the Alumni defense held its ground. Linebacker Baily Siegfried, defensive end Tommy Demko and cornerback Nathan Trimmer led the "Dawgy D".
Siegfried provided pressure over the middle of the field with five tackles and a couple key pass break-ups. Demko put the heat on the Stanford quarterback with two sacks. Trimmer came through with a pass break up on 3rd and 12 from the Alumni 46 and an interception that sealed the deal late in the game.
"It was a defensive battle. We played good considering practice was hard to get in. They were a pretty good team and we are looking forward to next week," said Siegfried.
A key turning point came in the third quarter. Stanford had stopped the Alumni offense forcing a punt that would have given them the ball in good field position. However, one of Stanford's return men got caught up with Pat Paquette of Alumni and was called for a holding, giving Alumni another chance to get a first down, and they did on a powerful 4th and 1 run by tailback Alex Roodhouse.
The Stanford defense played a solid game, led by defensive ends Shamus Rohm and John Dickas, and defensive tackle Josh Kaakua. They continually shot down the Alumni offense and put their offense in a good position to win the game.
The problem for Stanford was their offense, which was held scoreless for the second straight week. Even with an impressive performance by tailback JC Perez, the Griffin's offense could not put any points on the board.
"Our defense played really well. They just gave up a couple big early plays," said Stanford coach Brendon Geary. "Our offense needs to get on track. We should do better next week."
Alumni improved to 2-0 and the season and will meet 1-1 Keenan next week. Meanwhile Stanford drops to 0-2 and awaits a winless O'Neill team Sunday.
Keough 14, Morrissey 0
Sunday afternoon the Keough Kangaroos won their season opening interhall football game against the Morrissey Manorites 14-0.
The Manorites have started the season with a 0-2 record.
By the end of the first half, Keough was up on the Manorites 7-0. The Keough touchdown was a result of a long bomb from sophomore quarterback Andy Hess to freshman wide receiver Brian Adams.
Keough's defense was solid throughout the game as senior Paul Didio intercepted three Manorite passes.
"Our defense was really strong and was what won us the game," said captain Ryan Yorkery.
The second Keough touchdown was a result of another long pass from Andy Hess to receiver Brian Adams.
Early in the third quarter, the Manorites began moving the ball, but another turnover eliminated their hopes of scoring. Keough defensive player, Michael Wilson, recovered the ball when a Manorite running back was stripped.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Manorites began making their way downfield again. They had the same results when they encountered the Kangaroo defense and could not score.
Dillon 16, Keenan 0
With a lot of pep and a second half rally, Dillon forced Keenan to "revue" what went wrong Sunday as the Big Red defeated the Knights 16-0.
Far from the festivity and laughter provided annually by two of Notre Dame's most popular dorm events, no one was kidding around when two of interhall football's undefeated teams collided at Stepan Fields.
"Dillon played really hard," said Keenan captain Herb Giorgio. "I don't think we really matched their intensity level."
In the first half, however, neither offense looked particularly inspired as the defenses controlled the game early on.
After Dillon Junior Chris Crane returned a Keenan punt to the Keenan 33 yard line, Dillon's offense came alive. Junior quarterback Tayt Odom found senior fullback Jason Visner who rumbled toward the Keenan goal line where he was forced out at the one inch line.
"I thought I was in," said Visner. "But the referee didn't see it that way."
The ball was placed just an inch from the Keenan goal line and Dillon had just one play remaining before halftime. Odom was held out of the end zone to end the half.
Dillon coach Omar Munoz approached the goal line stand with guarded optimism.
"I knew that could have shifted the momentum in their favor," he said. "But in that situation you have to refocus on what got you [inside the Keenan one,] not on the negative that you didn't get in [the end zone]."
Giorgio agreed with Munoz's assessment.
"That goal line stand really pumped the defense up," he said. "We thought it could have turned the game in our favor. In the second half the defense came out with more intensity, but we kind of got discouraged when the offense couldn't [establish itself.]"
After alternating 3 and out possessions in the second half, Dillon took over on its own 32. The Big Red then embarked on a drive that would effectively end Keenan's hopes of winning the game. Dillon kept the ball on the ground seven straight plays. Visner Crane and JP Camardo each carried the ball for Dillon as the Big Red plowed through Keenan's defensive front. Finally Visner bullied his way into the end zone from five yards out and, following the two point conversion, the score was 16-0.
"This game was a wake up call," he said. "We have a lot to work on before we play Alumni next week."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, September 26, 2000
