SEWANEE, Tenn. (September 3, 2011) – In his first game as the new Sewanee leader, head football coach
Tommy Laurendine picked up career victory number one, as the Tigers dropped Earlham College, 32-10, in their season opener at McGee Field, Saturday.
Earlham scored first on an 89-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Stewart to Dan Kerns, giving the Quakers an early 7-0 lead. That lead didn't last for long, as Sewanee responded on its very next possession with a five-play 68-yard drive, capped off by sophomore quarterback
Lee Schurlknight's 44-yard scamper into the endzone. Unfortunately, the Tigers missed their extra point after a botched snap, gave EC a one-point advantage heading into the second quarter.
The score stayed at 7-6, until Sewanee got its ground game going again. After Schurlknight got shook up on an option read play, backup sophomore QB
Curtis Johnson plunged in from one yard out giving the Tigers a 12-6 advantage.
Each offense stalled in the second quarter, after neither team found points. Senior slotback
Ben Cleveland finally got things back on track for the Tigers, after he raced for a seven-yard touchdown run with 5:59 left to play, in the third quarter.
Sewanee's defense then continued to show its power after it stopped Earlham at midfield on a fourth and short play.The Sewanee offense then went back to work, as senior fullback
Zeke Wilson put the Tigers inside the EC 15 with two consecutive runs. Junior fullback
Sergio Acosta then capped off the drive, after he leaped his way into the endzone, two plays later.
Earlham got back on the board, after a late field goal that made the score, 26-10, with 9:00 minutes to play. However, the comeback was short lived by the Quakers, as sophomore slotback
Chuck Winfield closed out the scoring with a 19-yard run with 5:16 left.
Much of the success that Sewanee had on the day, came by its rushing attack after the Tigers outgained Earlham 408-54, on the ground. Not to be outdone the Tigers defense also looked strong, after posting three sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble.
Individually, five Tigers rushed for over 50 yards, with Wilson leading the way with 79-yards on 11 carriers, for a 7.2 yard average.
Overall, the win was the first Sewanee victory at home since 2008. At the same time, the Tigers have now won consecutive season openers, while holding a 6-1 all-time advantage against Earlham.
To view final statistics from today's contest, please
click here.
Sewanee returns to action next Saturday as the Tigers travel to No. 19 Washington & Lee for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Lexington, Va.
For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com.
