by Kai Caddy

Posted Nov. 12, 2005 9:20 p.m.

ALBANY, Ga. — It wasn’t pretty, but the UCA Bears were able to earn their first-ever trip to the second round of the NCAA playoffs with a 28-20 win over Albany State Saturday.

The Golden Rams (8-2) fumbled three times in the game and the Bears (10-2) threw three interceptions in the game, all in the first half.

The UCA defense stood tall as the offense struggled. The Bears held an explosive pair of ASU running backs to just 202 rushing yards and just on touchdown, a 56-yard run.

“I think we turned it around defensively in the first half,” UCA coach Clint Conque said. “We were able to hold them to just 14 points with all the turnovers. I think the change in the game was being able to manage the damage.”

Quentin Maxfield led the Bears with 13 tackles (two for loss), Ryan Taylor had seven stops and Jasper Johnson had six. Defensive end Jacob Ford had four tackles, two were sacks and three for loss. The other end Jeremy Pittman also had two sacks.

“Basically if they got the ball within the 30 we were going to do everything in our power to stop them from getting a touchdown,” Ford said. “It was either going to be three points or nothing.”

Quarterback Nathan Brown threw his second pick of the game with 6:44 left in the first half, as the Bears were trailing 7-0 after an Antonio Atkins 56-yard touchdown run the series before. It appeared that Marcus Jefferson (who had all three Albany interceptions) had returned the interception for a touchdown, but the touchdown was called back because of a block in the back.

“We think that was huge,” ASU coach Mike White said. “That was the big momentum swing, that interception we thought we had scored a touchdown and then it was called back, that was huge.”

The Rams moved the ball down to the UCA 2 before Antwan Andrews fumbled the ball in the end zone, Jasper Johnson recovered for the Bears.

“The quarterback came around and he was trying to stretch it out and get the score,” Ford said. “Then he got hit, fumbled and Jasper Johnson was able to recover the fumble.”

Conque said the momentum shifted early in the second half when the Bears broke a 14-14 tie with a fake field goal after driving the ball 58 yards in 12 plays. On third down from the Albany 2, Brown’s pass intended for Che Jones was incomplete. On came the field goal unit, but Brown took the snap as holder, stood up and found a wide open Austin Cade for the score.

“That was just something we looked at in film study,” Conque said. “We were going to fake the first field goal no matter what. The first time we lined up we we’re gonna fake it. It was scripted. That play was the momentum changer in the game.”

Cade finished with five catches for 44 yards and two scores.

The Bears then made a big defensive stand and actually pushed the rams back 18 yards on three plays.

After an ASU punt, the Bears went 49 yards in four plays to break open a 28-14 lead. Willie Hopson scored on a 16-yard rush to give the Bears the two touchdown lead. Hopson led the Bears with 110 yards on 19 carries. Kentrel Rogers had 89 yards on 23 carries.

Albany was able to get back on the board late in the half with after Hosea Harris hooked up with Brandon Green for a 13-yard score to make it 28-20.

The Bears’ go-to receiver, 6-foot-6 Aaron Fairooz, was shut down by Jefferson most of the day, he only had two catches for 10 yards.

“[Jefferson’s] been playing super for us all year long,” White said of the 5-foot-9 corner. “People think he can’t make plays [because of his height], but he surprises everyone and it’s been that way most of his life.”

The Bears were able to find success in their running game as the passing game was a little shaky. UCA ran for 250 yards and only threw for 156. Brown was 17-of-26 for 132 yards and two touchdowns, Chris Reil was 3-for-4 for 24 yards.

“You never know [who’s going to step up],” Conque said. “When we’re healthy we have enough weapons that when they take something away from us we can still do some things.

“The offensive line did a tremendous job creating holes,” Conque said. “The tight ends and fullbacks did a great job as well. [ASU] played with two safeties and locked corners most of the game and that really takes away the perimeter. That’s inviting you to at least attempt to run.

“Willie Hopson has given us a huge lift. [Hopson and Rogers] give us a tremendous one, two punch.”

After Brown’s third interception UCA held the Rams to punt. Albany was called for punt catching interference and the Bears started their drive at their own 35. Kentrel Rogers did most of the work on the drive, carrying the ball five times, before scoring from 3 yards out with 10:27 left in the second quarter to tie the game at 7.

The Rams went back to their big-play man on the next series. Harris hooked up Atkins for a 69-yard touchdown pass to put ASU up 14-7.

UCA even the score going into the locker room when Brown hit Cade for a five yard score to end a four-play, 29-yard drive set up by a Che Jones blocked punt.

“This football team is just as talented as any time we played this season,” Ford said. “They could score from anywhere on the field.”

The Bears are back on the road next week to take on the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region, Presbyterian College. PC was idle this week, awaiting the winner of the UCA game.







		by Kai Caddy Posted Nov. 12, 2005 9:20 p.m. ALBANY, Ga. — It wasn’t pretty, but the UCA Bears were able to earn their first-ever trip to the second round of the NCAA playoffs with a 28-20 win over Albany State Saturday. The Golden Rams (8-2) fumbled three times in the game and the Bears (10-2) threw three interceptions in the game, all in the first half. The UCA defense stood tall as the offense struggled. The Bears held an explosive pair of ASU running backs to just 202 rushing yards and just on touchdown, a 56-yard run. “I think we turned it around defensively in the first half,” UCA coach Clint Conque said. “We were able to hold them to just 14 points with all the turnovers. I think the change in the game was being able to manage the damage.” Quentin Maxfield led the Bears with 13 tackles (two for loss), Ryan Taylor had seven stops and Jasper Johnson had six. Defensive end Jacob Ford had four tackles, two were sacks and three for loss. The other end Jeremy Pittman also had two sacks. “Basically if they got the ball within the 30 we were going to do everything in our power to stop them from getting a touchdown,” Ford said. “It was either going to be three points or nothing.” Quarterback Nathan Brown threw his second pick of the game with 6:44 left in the first half, as the Bears were trailing 7-0 after an Antonio Atkins 56-yard touchdown run the series before. It appeared that Marcus Jefferson (who had all three Albany interceptions) had returned the interception for a touchdown, but the touchdown was called back because of a block in the back. “We think that was huge,” ASU coach Mike White said. “That was the big momentum swing, that interception we thought we had scored a touchdown and then it was called back, that was huge.” The Rams moved the ball down to the UCA 2 before Antwan Andrews fumbled the ball in the end zone, Jasper Johnson recovered for the Bears. “The quarterback came around and he was trying to stretch it out and get the score,” Ford said. “Then he got hit, fumbled and Jasper Johnson was able to recover the fumble.” Conque said the momentum shifted early in the second half when the Bears broke a 14-14 tie with a fake field goal after driving the ball 58 yards in 12 plays. On third down from the Albany 2, Brown’s pass intended for Che Jones was incomplete. On came the field goal unit, but Brown took the snap as holder, stood up and found a wide open Austin Cade for the score. “That was just something we looked at in film study,” Conque said. “We were going to fake the first field goal no matter what. The first time we lined up we we’re gonna fake it. It was scripted. That play was the momentum changer in the game.” Cade finished with five catches for 44 yards and two scores. The Bears then made a big defensive stand and actually pushed the rams back 18 yards on three plays. After an ASU punt, the Bears went 49 yards in four plays to break open a 28-14 lead. Willie Hopson scored on a 16-yard rush to give the Bears the two touchdown lead. Hopson led the Bears with 110 yards on 19 carries. Kentrel Rogers had 89 yards on 23 carries. Albany was able to get back on the board late in the half with after Hosea Harris hooked up with Brandon Green for a 13-yard score to make it 28-20. The Bears’ go-to receiver, 6-foot-6 Aaron Fairooz, was shut down by Jefferson most of the day, he only had two catches for 10 yards. “[Jefferson’s] been playing super for us all year long,” White said of the 5-foot-9 corner. “People think he can’t make plays [because of his height], but he surprises everyone and it’s been that way most of his life.” The Bears were able to find success in their running game as the passing game was a little shaky. UCA ran for 250 yards and only threw for 156. Brown was 17-of-26 for 132 yards and two touchdowns, Chris Reil was 3-for-4 for 24 yards. “You never know [who’s going to step up],” Conque said. “When we’re healthy we have enough weapons that when they take something away from us we can still do some things. “The offensive line did a tremendous job creating holes,” Conque said. “The tight ends and fullbacks did a great job as well. [ASU] played with two safeties and locked corners most of the game and that really takes away the perimeter. That’s inviting you to at least attempt to run. “Willie Hopson has given us a huge lift. [Hopson and Rogers] give us a tremendous one, two punch.” After Brown’s third interception UCA held the Rams to punt. Albany was called for punt catching interference and the Bears started their drive at their own 35. Kentrel Rogers did most of the work on the drive, carrying the ball five times, before scoring from 3 yards out with 10:27 left in the second quarter to tie the game at 7. The Rams went back to their big-play man on the next series. Harris hooked up Atkins for a 69-yard touchdown pass to put ASU up 14-7. UCA even the score going into the locker room when Brown hit Cade for a five yard score to end a four-play, 29-yard drive set up by a Che Jones blocked punt. “This football team is just as talented as any time we played this season,” Ford said. “They could score from anywhere on the field.” The Bears are back on the road next week to take on the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region, Presbyterian College. PC was idle this week, awaiting the winner of the UCA game.