Thuder battle long road of losses

You ever get déjà vu? You know, it's that feeling that you've done the same thing in the same place at the same time over and over again. The Crimson Thunder must have been feeling something close to that when they were defeated by Case Western Reserve University 42-6 - the same score that the Fighting Scots of Wooster had beaten them by two weeks earlier.

Once again, the same problems kept resurfacing. Case tailback Frank Peters enjoyed a record day of his four-year career, scampering for 262 yards on 31 carries. The Trojans simply did not have to throw the ball until the second half, relying on Peters' pounding attack.

Again, the Thunder scored their lone touchdown late in the game, this time on first-year quarterback Chris Moffatt's sneak.

And yet again, Moffatt had a good day, throwing for 246 yards and completing over half of his passes - and both of those figures would be greater had the Oberlin wideouts not dropped so many catchable passes.

Given the similarities to the Wooster game, one cannot emphasis the day that first year wideout Josh Shapaka had. Subbing for fellow first-year wideout Cody McCoy (out with a broken collarbone), Shapaka grabbed 12 balls for a personal best 171 yards. Shapaka was all over the field snaring crossing patters over the middle, deep balls, as well as short outs to the sideline.

Shapaka was part of OC's shotgun offense that features four wideouts and a big back behind the line. Head Coach Jeff Ramsey wanted to run the ball at least 25 times to offset the formation. 25 running plays were indeed called, gaining only 55 yards. On the other side of the ball, the Trojans rode Peters' record day piling up 344 yards on the ground on the tired OC squad.

The defense performed up to the task in the first quarter. Case's lone score came on a 10-yard fumble recovery produced from a blocked punt. The D held the Trojans during their first two possessions before the fumble recovery at the 5-minute mark.

"Our defense played their asses off in the first quarter," said sophomore tight end/punter Bob Montag. "[They] gave the offense plenty of opportunities, but we couldn't take advantage of the tenacity our defense showed."

The defense suffered through a brutal second quarter, with Peters scoring on three consecutive Trojan drives. The first two were freak accidents that all but ensured a score for Case. Coach Ramsey took full credit for the first blunder. "It was a bad call on my part on the fake punt," he said. The second landed the Trojans on the OC 21.

First year J.P. Odbert, usually a cornerback, carried the ball for the first time this year. His lack of experience was only too obvious as he fumbled it away on the Thunder's first play of the drive. Three plays later and Peters bounced off a tackle on his way to a six-yard score. Suddenly, it was 21-0 with a full eleven minutes remaining in the half.

Penalties, bad snaps and dropped passes then plagued Oberlin for much of the second half. It was these errors that really cost Oberlin the game. "[The game] was full of little mistakes, they had two touchdowns because of special teams and two more because of mental errors on offense and defense," said junior linebacker Rick Kocher.

Coach Ramsey agreed with Kocher. "We have gotten over the big things, it's the little things we need to focus on, like penalties and formation," said Ramsey.

Despite the mistakes, many players showed both vast improvement and flashes of brilliance. It was Shapaka that put up the dazzling numbers; meanwhile, the defense showed cohesiveness not seen thus far.

First-year Mike McClendon had a standout game. The outside linebacker finished with 12 total tackles, with six coming of the solo variety. He had blatant disregard for his body, as his lean frame was always around the ball, getting pounded.

"His overall game, especially his mental toughness, has improved every week," said Ramsey. "His defensive knowledge has also improved. If you want to play, prepare your body, if you want to win, prepare your mind," the coach said.

Junior Ryan Catignani also played his best game of the year according to Ramsey. The Big Cat recorded five solo tackles and two assisted. For his part, senior Jabari Spruill continues to be one of the many veteran leaders on the defense. Finally, first-year defensive back Kris Overstreet continues to impress Ramsey with his outstanding efforts and physical prowess.

The only sour note of the defensive side was a season-ending injury to senior defensive end Kwesi Skinner. The senior will watch the rest the final two games form the sideline after damaging ligaments in his right knee. The Thunder now turn their attention to Ohio Wesleyan University, in the hopes that Cody McCoy can pass his strength test today and be eligible for Saturday's match at OWU. Even if McCoy does not play Saturday, the emerging dual air attack of the two first-years could be a theme synonymous with the strong right arm of Moffatt. The playcaller will need to be on point against the Battling Bishops' defense, which sports two All-Americans. The Yeomen need McClendon and Catignani to stuff the run against the wing-T formation.

"We have to come out ready to stop the run and beat them with both the run and pass," said Ramsey.

"OWU is a good team, but if we can improve and cut out the mistakes it could be a good game," said Kocher.

Hopefully, Oberlin will not suffer any more flashbacks from previous games. The last game is next Saturday at Dill Field versus Alfred University. Go Crimson Thunder!

Five against one: The Oberlin football team suffered an unfortunate loss to Case Western Reserve last Saturday. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)