Despite best efforts, turnovers kill Thunder

The offense is finally clicking for the Crimson Thunder. Adapting a run-and-shoot type offense with three wideouts and a single back, first-year quarterback Chris Moffatt was able to diversify the attack, mixing a steady ground game with a short and medium air game.

Beside standout performances by Moffatt and first-year flanker Cody McCoy, the Yeomen just could not hold onto the ball. In the second quarter alone, Moffatt was intercepted twice, and the Thunder coughed up a fumble in Earlham territory. In addition to the miscues, the game was slowed intolerably by penalties and incomplete passes. Oberlin could not overcome their mistakes and lost a close one, 29-27.

The game started with instant offense. After the Quakers went three and out on their first series, Oberlin quickly and methodically moved the ball. Featuring first-year running back Josh Shapaka and short passes to the first-year back and wideouts McCoy and sophomore Jesse Cretaro, the Yeomen were faced with a pivotal third and thirteen from the 14 yard line. Moffatt dropped back and found McCoy streaking across the back of the endzone for the score. First-year kicker Martin Mitchell gave the Crimson Thunder a 7-0 lead with the extra point.

As quickly as Oberlin scored, the Quakers responded just as fast. Blessed with a momentous kickoff return to the Oberlin 28 yard line, Earlham running backs Darrian Story and Steve Henderson pounded the ball into the endzone.

The two teams then proceeded to trade scores with the Quakers leading at the half 14-13. Even though the Yeomen had many chances in the second quarter to pull away, they only trailed by one.

The Crimson Thunder opened the third quarter with one goal in mind: to try to limit the amount of work by Shapaka. He had minor injuries from the week before, but did not miss a play in the first half. "Josh was hurting and we tried to save him for the fourth [quarter]," said Head Coach Jeff Ramsey.

In the short run, the plan worked. Oberlin drove 65 yards in just three plays on their second possession. Moffatt found junior wideout Jesse Cretaro at the three yard line. Cretaro, who was heavily defended, fought off a tackle, and drove another would-be tackler into the endzone with him.

The Yeomen would not score again until three minutes remained in the game. Turnovers, a tired running game and predictable passing plays caused the team to fall behind 29-19 early in the fourth quarter.

On the other side of the ball, the Quakers continued to pound the ball into the center of the defensive line, cycling in fresh legs in the second half to complement their attack.

Running back Paul Drossman, a smaller, a more cut-back kind of runner, platooned with the more bullish Darrian Story to make life difficult for the defense. Those two, with fullback Steve Henderson, combined for 228 yards on the ground.

Through all the mistakes, both mental and physical, the team still had a chance, albeit a small one, to come away with a victory. The Thunder was faced with quite a mountainous task. 58 seconds remained, and three-fourths of the field to cover. To drain any readers of false hopes, the third play of the drive was intercepted, at which time the Quakers ran out the clock and squeaked out a two-point victory.

"It was a variety of things," said senior Jason Ross. "Turnovers were definitely a big part. You can't blame the kicker [referring to the two missed extra point attempts."

In the midst of the defeat was a myriad of uplifting guises. Moffatt set an Oberlin College single game records for passing (342 yards) and attempts (57). The offense also set a team passing record with 368.

The twenty-four yard difference came on a fake punt. Junior strong safety Geno Walker took the snap and pitched a shovel pass to sophomore free safety Dave Smolev who scampered the distance.

The fake punt was only one of many trick plays that Ramsey had up his sleeve. The team was successful on another fake punt, this time the ball was snapped directly to Shapaka, who ran for the first down. The Thunder also ran a tight end screen pass, from a misdirection formation. They bunched three receivers on the left side, rolled Moffatt to the left, who then turned and flipped the ball to sophomore tight end Bob Montag.

"If we practice trick plays as a part of the offense, instead of as a trick play, it will probably work," said Ross.

The emergence of first-year wideout Cody McCoy in last week's contest was most reassuring. "If Cody could box those plays up and sell it, he would be a millionaire," said Ramsey.

Most notable was a jump-ball situation in which McCoy out-jumped two much taller defenders and somehow came down with the ball. "Cody is a great athlete," said Ross. "He reminds me of AJ [Anthony Johnson OC '99] because of his speed and body control."

But Moffatt's accomplishments must not go unnoticed. Oberlin has not had a pocket passer with a sure arm since the James Parker years. "Chris has a great future here," Ross added. "He's a natural quarterback, great feel [for the game], great arm."

Oberlin will seek out their first win tomorrow at 12:30 here on Dill Field at the expense of Pomona-Pitzer College.

Rough and tumble: The football team played a close game this past weekend against Earlham and is looking to gain their first victory on Saturday against Pomona-Pitzer. (photo by Melly Rose)