by Kai Caddy

Posted Nov. 27, 2005 9:05 a.m.

“What a football game.”

That’s how UCA coach Clint Conque summed up the Bears’ 41-38 overtime loss to North Alabama on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

“Two outstanding football teams slugged it out again,” Conque said. “Last time they dug themselves a hole, got back in the game, forced overtime and we won. This time we dug ourselves a hole, got back in the game and lost. But I’m very proud of my football team. I’m proud of the resiliency they’ve shown all year. To be able to come back from being down like that and to take the lead says a lot.”

On Sept. 29 these two teams met during the regular season and had a similar result. UCA won 29-26 in double overtime.

In September the Lions (11-2) dug themselves a hole early and fought back to get it to overtime before losing. Saturday was almost a complete opposite as the Bears (11-3) found themselves in trouble early, pulled back into it and eventually fell in overtime.

The Bears battled back from a 28-7 deficit in the first half and took the lead with 14:16 left in the game when Kentrel Rogers scooted 31 yards to paydirt. The score gave UCA a 31-28 advantage.

UCA extended the lead to 10 when Willie Hopson scampered 14 yards for a score. But the Lions weren’t done. Quarterback A.J. Milwee hit Gregory Clark for a four-yard touchdown after driving 42 yards in six plays to cut the lead to just three, 38-35.

Conque said emotion carried the Bears back to take the lead.

“It was the human spirit that we weren’t gonna be denied,” he said. “We knew we were going to have to be more aggressive down the field. We started making stops, knocking down passes. We talked about getting to the fourth quarter ahead, even or one score behind. The defense really stemmed the tide in that second half.”

Senior safety Cory Cangelosi, who finished with a team-high 11 tackles, said the defense didn’t get down.

“I don’t think any of our guys were hanging their heads,” he said. “We were ready to go back out and make a stop. I’m so proud of my teammates. We never stopped believing this year. We played our hearts out.”

The Lions’ defense stood tall on UCA’s next series and forced them to a three-and-out. UCA actually lost two yards on the drive. UNA marched up the field with a 36-yard pass from Vinnie Saylor to Anthony Merritt to the UCA 16. The Lions gained just two more yards before Yuta Fukuda trotted on to hit the game-tying field goal from 32 yards out to force overtime.

In the extra frame UCA got possession first, but was unable to move the ball. James Paul missed a 42-yard field goal to end the possession.

On UNA’s first play of the overtime they attempted a halfback pass that had shown success earlier in the day, but this time UCA defensive end Jacob Ford greeted UNA’s Marcus Blount for a loss of 8. Blount ran for a five-yard gain on second down and Saylor missed him on a third-down pass attempt. Fukuda then trotted on to nail the 45-yard game winning field goal.

“I just try to be relaxed,” Fukuda said of the pressure. “I just kick the ball. Just like practice, just kick the ball. It’s half-scary, half-exciting – it’s confusing.”

Conque issued his team a challenge at halftime.

“I challenged [the team] to go out and believe in each other,” Conque said. “Unfortunately we we came up short. That’s why this hurts so much right now. We left it all on that field today. There’s not a lot left in the emotional reservoir.”

Blount, who was injured during the last matchup between the two teams, finished with 89 yards on 19 carries.

“He was the big difference in the football game,” UNA coach Mark Hudspeth said of Blount.

Saylor said it was nice having Blount in the backfield this time around.

“He’s a great back, one of the best in the country,” he said. “It’s good to have him back there. It softens up the coverage, because you’ve got to respect him.”

North Alabama scored 14 unanswered to start the game. The Lions first found the end zone when DeMarcus Blount carried the ball into the end zone from five yards out with 7:41 left in the first quarter. UNA backup quarterback A.J. Milwee hooked up with all-conference tight end, who actually plays wide receiver, Chip Long for four-yard touchdown pass with 2:45 left in the first.

Long finished with six catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bears finally got on the board early in the second quarter when quarterback Nathan Brown found tight end Austin Cade for a 28-yard strike. Just one play earlier Cade had jumped prior to the snap and a series earlier he dropped a pass that most likely would’ve resulted in a UCA score.

With 10:56 left in the half, Brown fumbled under immense pressure from the Lions. UNA recovered, then employed a little trickery on its first play of the possession. Receiver Anthony Merritt took a toss and looked to the end zone for a wide-open Long for a 21-yard score. That made it 21-7 UNA with 10:49 left in the half.

Long was the man again on the Lions next possession. This time Milwee hit him for a 35-yard score to make it 28-7 UNA.

UCA finally pieced together a comprehensive offensive drive on its next possession, going 91 yards in 12 plays. The Bears cut the lead to 28-14 when Willie Hopson powered in from a yard out with 25 ticks left on the clock in the second quarter.

“Things were really clicking and then they got the touchdown right before halftime,” Hudspeth said. ‘They got the momentum back there at halftime and the second half and we had to swing it back our way.”

In the third quarter the Bears cut into the deficit first with a 38-yard field goal from Paul with 9:30 left in the third. After trading a couple punts the Bears drove 80 yards to cut the lead to four, 28-24. Brown found senior Michael Norvell in the seam and Norvell took it all the way for a 56-yard touchdown.

Norvell finished his last game as a Bear with four catches for 127 yards and the score.

“There’s not enough I can say about [Norvell] and what he’s meant to our football program,” Conque said.

Brown finished 16-of-32 for 263 yards and two touchdowns.

Jasper Johnson finished with eight tackles, Ryan Taylor and seven and Jacob Ford had six stops, four for loss. Ford also forced two fumbles and recovered one.

North Alabama moves on to face Southwest Region champion Northwest Missouri State next Saturday in the national semifinals.

“It’s been a special year,” Conque said. “This is an extremely special group of seniors. I’ve been very blessed to have the opportunity to coach these young men.”







		by Kai Caddy Posted Nov. 27, 2005 9:05 a.m. “What a football game.” That’s how UCA coach Clint Conque summed up the Bears’ 41-38 overtime loss to North Alabama on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. “Two outstanding football teams slugged it out again,” Conque said. “Last time they dug themselves a hole, got back in the game, forced overtime and we won. This time we dug ourselves a hole, got back in the game and lost. But I’m very proud of my football team. I’m proud of the resiliency they’ve shown all year. To be able to come back from being down like that and to take the lead says a lot.” On Sept. 29 these two teams met during the regular season and had a similar result. UCA won 29-26 in double overtime. In September the Lions (11-2) dug themselves a hole early and fought back to get it to overtime before losing. Saturday was almost a complete opposite as the Bears (11-3) found themselves in trouble early, pulled back into it and eventually fell in overtime. The Bears battled back from a 28-7 deficit in the first half and took the lead with 14:16 left in the game when Kentrel Rogers scooted 31 yards to paydirt. The score gave UCA a 31-28 advantage. UCA extended the lead to 10 when Willie Hopson scampered 14 yards for a score. But the Lions weren’t done. Quarterback A.J. Milwee hit Gregory Clark for a four-yard touchdown after driving 42 yards in six plays to cut the lead to just three, 38-35. Conque said emotion carried the Bears back to take the lead. “It was the human spirit that we weren’t gonna be denied,” he said. “We knew we were going to have to be more aggressive down the field. We started making stops, knocking down passes. We talked about getting to the fourth quarter ahead, even or one score behind. The defense really stemmed the tide in that second half.” Senior safety Cory Cangelosi, who finished with a team-high 11 tackles, said the defense didn’t get down. “I don’t think any of our guys were hanging their heads,” he said. “We were ready to go back out and make a stop. I’m so proud of my teammates. We never stopped believing this year. We played our hearts out.” The Lions’ defense stood tall on UCA’s next series and forced them to a three-and-out. UCA actually lost two yards on the drive. UNA marched up the field with a 36-yard pass from Vinnie Saylor to Anthony Merritt to the UCA 16. The Lions gained just two more yards before Yuta Fukuda trotted on to hit the game-tying field goal from 32 yards out to force overtime. In the extra frame UCA got possession first, but was unable to move the ball. James Paul missed a 42-yard field goal to end the possession. On UNA’s first play of the overtime they attempted a halfback pass that had shown success earlier in the day, but this time UCA defensive end Jacob Ford greeted UNA’s Marcus Blount for a loss of 8. Blount ran for a five-yard gain on second down and Saylor missed him on a third-down pass attempt. Fukuda then trotted on to nail the 45-yard game winning field goal. “I just try to be relaxed,” Fukuda said of the pressure. “I just kick the ball. Just like practice, just kick the ball. It’s half-scary, half-exciting – it’s confusing.” Conque issued his team a challenge at halftime. “I challenged [the team] to go out and believe in each other,” Conque said. “Unfortunately we we came up short. That’s why this hurts so much right now. We left it all on that field today. There’s not a lot left in the emotional reservoir.” Blount, who was injured during the last matchup between the two teams, finished with 89 yards on 19 carries. “He was the big difference in the football game,” UNA coach Mark Hudspeth said of Blount. Saylor said it was nice having Blount in the backfield this time around. “He’s a great back, one of the best in the country,” he said. “It’s good to have him back there. It softens up the coverage, because you’ve got to respect him.” North Alabama scored 14 unanswered to start the game. The Lions first found the end zone when DeMarcus Blount carried the ball into the end zone from five yards out with 7:41 left in the first quarter. UNA backup quarterback A.J. Milwee hooked up with all-conference tight end, who actually plays wide receiver, Chip Long for four-yard touchdown pass with 2:45 left in the first. Long finished with six catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns. The Bears finally got on the board early in the second quarter when quarterback Nathan Brown found tight end Austin Cade for a 28-yard strike. Just one play earlier Cade had jumped prior to the snap and a series earlier he dropped a pass that most likely would’ve resulted in a UCA score. With 10:56 left in the half, Brown fumbled under immense pressure from the Lions. UNA recovered, then employed a little trickery on its first play of the possession. Receiver Anthony Merritt took a toss and looked to the end zone for a wide-open Long for a 21-yard score. That made it 21-7 UNA with 10:49 left in the half. Long was the man again on the Lions next possession. This time Milwee hit him for a 35-yard score to make it 28-7 UNA. UCA finally pieced together a comprehensive offensive drive on its next possession, going 91 yards in 12 plays. The Bears cut the lead to 28-14 when Willie Hopson powered in from a yard out with 25 ticks left on the clock in the second quarter. “Things were really clicking and then they got the touchdown right before halftime,” Hudspeth said. ‘They got the momentum back there at halftime and the second half and we had to swing it back our way.” In the third quarter the Bears cut into the deficit first with a 38-yard field goal from Paul with 9:30 left in the third. After trading a couple punts the Bears drove 80 yards to cut the lead to four, 28-24. Brown found senior Michael Norvell in the seam and Norvell took it all the way for a 56-yard touchdown. Norvell finished his last game as a Bear with four catches for 127 yards and the score. “There’s not enough I can say about [Norvell] and what he’s meant to our football program,” Conque said. Brown finished 16-of-32 for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Jasper Johnson finished with eight tackles, Ryan Taylor and seven and Jacob Ford had six stops, four for loss. Ford also forced two fumbles and recovered one. North Alabama moves on to face Southwest Region champion Northwest Missouri State next Saturday in the national semifinals. “It’s been a special year,” Conque said. “This is an extremely special group of seniors. I’ve been very blessed to have the opportunity to coach these young men.”


					Senior receiver Michael Norvell scores on a 56-yard pass play in Saturday’s 41-38 overtime loss to North Alabama. Norvell finished his final collegiate game with four catches for 127 yards and the touchdown.