Sunday, November 25, 2001
Thomas More ousted from playoffs
By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — Coming into the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs, Thomas More coach Dean Paul hoped for big things from the most successful team in Saints history. But visiting Wittenberg stunned the undefeated Saints 41-0 at Thomas More Stadium Saturday in front of a crowd of 1,972, earning a bid to play Mount Union in the quarterfinals.
Thomas More QB Jesse Lowrey is sacked by Wittenberg's Juan Howard.
(Brandi Stafford photos)
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“They tackled better and got off the line of scrimmage better than we did. Their confidence kept them rolling,” Paul said. “We've usually been on the other end of that.”
The Saints found themselves in unfamiliar territory as Wittenberg was successful on the ground and in the air.
The Tigers began their offensive barrage with 1:05 to play in the first quarter when Conrad Hindert made a 30-yard field goal. The sophomore kicker later added five PATs.
Daniel Grove broke through the Thomas More defense on a 20-yard touchdown run 3:27 into the second quarter to widen the gap to 10-0.
The Tigers capped the first-half scoring with a 94-yard drive. A Wittenberg penalty on a Thomas More punt put the Tigers at their own 6-yard line with 3:02 to play in the half. Nine plays later, quarterback Greg Cornett beat the clock and the Saints' defense with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Aljancic.
Wittenberg's Raymar Hampshire runs past Thomas More's Dante Flanigan for a TD.
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Thomas More, which never trailed by more than 14 points in its 11 wins this season, couldn't recover from the 17-point deficit.
“Going into it, I envisioned a 10-point game. I thought our speed would match up well, but I was concerned about matching up with size and strength,” Wittenberg coach Joe Fincham said. “It was important that we didn't lose our focus offensively.”
The Tigers picked up where they left off at the start of the second half with an 85-yard drive that ended with Raymar Hampshire's 16-yard touchdown run.
Wittenberg gained 475 yards of total offense to Thomas More's 162.
Wittenberg's Michael Aljancic catches a pass against Thomas More's Jimmy Adams.
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Wittenberg snapped Thomas More's 17-game winning streak. It was the first shutout loss under third-year coach Paul.
“I try to tell the players there's a big thing between discouragement and disappointment. This is the best season in Thomas More his tory,” he said. “We have to emphasize the positive if we want to attain our goals.”
Senior quarterback Jesse Lowrey wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
“It's disappointing to go out like this with the season we had, but I wouldn't want to play with anyone but this team,” he said. “If we have to go out 41-0, I'd rather do it with them.”
Wittenberg ....... 3 14 14 10—41
Thomas More ....... 0 0 0 0— 0
First Quarter
WU—FG Hindert 30, 1:05
Second Quarter
WU—Grove 20 run (Hindert kick), 11:33
WU—Aljancic 13 pass from Cornett (Hindert kick), 00:36
Third Quarter
WU—Hampshire 16 run (Hindert kick), 11:22
WU—Aljancic 20 pass from Cornett (Hindert kick), 7:26
Fourth Quarter
WU—FG Hindert 34, 11:35
WU—Stephen 4 run (Hindert kick), 4:39
A—1,972.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Wittenberg, Grove 22-164, Hampshire 9-55, Stephen 12-40, Forrest 1-16, Cornett 2-13, Smith 1-8, Coffman 2-5, Goodin 1-3, TEAM 1-(minus-1). Thomas More, Frisk 10-36, Williams 9-32, Lowrey 10-18, Schultz 1-8, Woodie 1-5.
PASSING—Wittenberg, Cornett 15-22-0-172. Thomas More, Lowrey 7-15-1-57, Schultz 1-3-0-6, Runion 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Wittenberg, Aljancic 6-61, Ivery 4-58, Grove 3-35, Crane 1-14, Hampshire 1-4. Thomas More, Frisk 3-6, Harris 2-32, Woodie 1-9, Spurlock 1-9, Welch 1-7.
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