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Presidents have too many weapons for CNU
Washington & Jefferson College football coach Mike Sirianni was rightly concerned about Christopher Newport running back Tunde Ogun. The Captains' junior running back was second in the nation, averaging 181.6 rushing yards per game heading into Saturday's matchup with the Presidents in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Sirianni said he would have accepted the Presidents surrendering 110 yards to Ogun, which they did save for a late 51-yard scamper. Though it set up a touchdown, Ogun's long run didn't impact the outcome because Washington & Jefferson had too many offensive weapons for Christopher Newport's one-man show.
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With the win, the Presidents (10-1) advance to the second round to play at No. 1 seed Millsaps (11-0) next Saturday in Jackson, Miss.
Running back Curt Jones ran for 141 yards, wide receivers Craig Besong an David Ravida had 115 and 108 yards respectively, and quarterback Bobby Swallow threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. But Sirianni seemed more satisfied that his defense held up and didn't allow Ogun to dominate the game.
"I thought we did well because they (the Captains) are physical," Sirianni said. "They have a big, strong back. They have a big offensive line that we just don't see in our conference. And that's a formula of teams beating us in the past. I thought we did a good job of tackling him. He didn't get a lot of yards after contact."
Ogun finished with 160 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns on runs of one, 10 and one yards. He also credited Washington & Jefferson's defense, especially their discipline, something he hasn't seen from other defenses this season.
"They're a tough team. I knew coming into this game that it wasn't going to be a cakewalk," Ogun said. "They're very disciplined, staying at home in their assignments. It was hard to catch them sleeping on any of the formations that we were in."
Though Christopher Newport (8-2) led 10-7 early in the second quarter after a 22-yard field goal by Jay Graham and a one-yard score by Ogun, the Presidents still seemed in control because of their explosive offense.
W&J scored on its next three possessions to take a 28-10 lead. Swallow, who was 17 of 26, threw two touchdown passes to Besong - for 39 and 17 yards - and another to Ravida for 31 yards.
"It's nice to have two receivers on the outside that are 6-2 and can go up and catch the ball, and two guys who can make plays," Swallow said.
Swallow and his receivers picked apart a young Christopher Newport secondary. It didn't help the Captains that W&J's offensive line gave Swallow plenty of time to throw.
"We were trying to match up one-on-one with those guys, and if you give (Swallow) time he'll tear you apart," Christopher Newport coach Matt Kelchner said. "Are you going to bleed slow or bleed fast? Which way are going to go?"
Swallow made an uncharacteristic mistake late in the first half. The quarterback thought wide receiver Luke Espe was cutting off a route and he threw it short. Espe didn't see the pass but Lashae McMillan did, and the Captains' cornerback made the interception and returned it 19 yards to cut the deficit to 28-17 before halftime.
"It was just a mental error," Swallow said. "I made a poor read. I should have just thrown it away."
The teams traded touchdowns to begin the second half. Jones scored his second touchdown on an eight-yard run and Ogun scored from 10 yards on the ensuing drive. Kelchner decided to go for a two-point conversion down by 12 points and the pass failed, giving W&J a 35-23 lead.
Both defenses held until W&J went into a prevent late in the fourth quarter. Ogun broke off a 51-yard run, was tackled at the 1-yard line and scored on the next play. A blocked extra point made it 35-29 with 1:59 remaining. The Captains attempted an onside kick but W&J's Bryant Cappelletti recovered and the Presidents managed to run out the clock.
Three weeks ago, Washington & Jefferson wasn't sure it would get into the playoffs after losing to PAC champion Thomas More. Now, the Presidents are in the round of 16 and not looking back.
"We talked to the kids about second chances. A lot of people in life want second chances ... and we got a second chance," Sirianni said. "How often do you get second chances and what do you do with them? We got a second chance and we're going to run with it."
