By MEGAN WINKEL
Sports Writer
Knott emerged victorious in a battle against Duncan on Sunday 26-0, with a strong offense and a stronger defense that brought in two interceptions and shut out Duncan's offense.
"It feels great to get our first win of the season," Knott senior captain James Hodgens said. "If we keep playing like we did today, at that intensity, I think we'll put ourselves in a good position to keep winning this season."
Hodgens said he was most excited about how the offense played.
"Scoring 26 points means you have to be doing something right," Hodgens said. "Our offensive line played really well. We didn't turn the ball over once, which was a big part of our success today. [Sophomore] receiver Griffin Carroll had a few touchdowns that were great passes and great runs. Overall, offense played really well."
Knott (1-2) and Duncan (0-3) headed into the game in similar positions, both having lost its prior two games. Duncan junior captain Alan Keck said the team will focus on defense in practice.
"Defense gave up way too many yards this past game and way too many points," Keck said. "We're going to go over specific plays for the defense in practices and work on tackling and who covers who."
Duncan will have a chance for its defense to prove itself when it faces Siegfried on November 3rd, and Knott hopes to continue its successes against Morrissey the same day.
Contact Megan Winkel at mwinkel@nd.edu
Fisher 28, Zahm 0
By CORNELIUS McGRATH
Sports Writer
In a crucial game for both sides it was Fisher who got the best of Zahm, winning 28-0 on Sunday.
The Green Wave (2-0-2) were the superior force from the start, as senior outside linebacker Casey Morris intercepted the ball on Zahm's first play from scrimmage and ran the ball back for a touchdown from the 25-yard line.
Fisher's defense, which recorded 4 sacks throughout the game, continued to wreak havoc and forced Zahm to punt on their next possession. The change of possession led to another Fisher touchdown by senior running back Rick Neville.
The Green Wave added two more touchdowns later in the game for insurance.
Junior captain and linebacker Matthew Nagy said he was very pleased with his team's performance.
"I am delighted that we were able to end our regular season so strongly," Nagy said. "I hope we can continue our great form in the playoffs."
Despite the strong performance, Nagy said the Green Wave must remain level headed.
"Our main priority in to stay fit and healthy as we don't have another game for the next three weeks" Nagy said. "If our players can stay strong, I am confident we will perform in the playoffs"
The Zahmbies (0-3) failed to get any offensive momentum going for the whole game.
Senior captain and offensive lineman Joseph Rice said he thought the poor performance was due to a lack of preparation.
"We were not very well prepared and they threw a lot of things at us that we just could not deal with," Rice said. "Their defensive ends were just too strong, so we ran out of ideas on offense."
Fisher ended its season with the victory and now can set its sights on the playoffs, while Zahm will look to pick up a win against Carroll after fall break.
Contact Cornelius McGrath at Cmcgrat2@nd.edu
Alumni 7, Morrissey 0
By EVAN ANDERSON
Sports Writer
Alumni rode its stalwart defense to an undefeated regular season and a division title with a 7-0 victory over Morrissey on Sunday.
The Dawgs (4-0-0) turned the ball over twice and failed to convert on fourth down twice, but relied on their dominant defensive effort to a fourth consecutive win. Senior defensive end Al Harding recorded two sacks and three tackles for a loss, while senior defensive back and captain Jeffrey Kraemer notched an interception and three pass breakups in the secondary.
Harding said the defense, which gave up just seven points on the year, was crucial to the team's success all season long.
"It all starts with the linebacker corps, and with [Kraemer] roaming in the back, " Harding said. "It makes it really easy on us up front, Each unit does its job and I think we're pretty strong altogether."
Morrissey junior offensive lineman and captain Patrick Valencia said he was proud of the Manor (1-2-0) despite the loss.
"We played a tough game today... with only 13 players," Valencia said. "We know we have the talent. Hopefully we will be able to claim a wild card spot at the end of the season."
The Dawgs have a bye in the regular season's final week, while the Manor will be seeking its second victory after fall break on Nov. 3 against Knott.
Contact Evan Anderson at eander11@nd.edu
Keenan 6, Dillon 0
By ZACH KLONSINSKI
Sports Writer
In a hard-fought battle for playoff berths, Keenan held on for a 6-0 win over Dillon on Sunday afternoon.
After playing a stalemate for almost three quarters, a bad snap on a punt by Dillon (2-2) gave Keenan (3-0) the ball at the Dillon 11-yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Knights sophomore quarterback Patrick Corry took the snap, scrambled to the right, and dove towards the pylon for the only score of the game.
The Knights' defense continued its dominance this season, intercepting Dillon sophomore quarterback Colin Cunningham three times in the game. Freshman cornerback Michael Koller had the first pick, sophomore safety Seamus Ronan grabbed one in the end zone, and then senior cornerback Sean Healey sealed the game with a pick in the final minute of the game.
"[The defense] were the difference maker," senior receiver and captain Jeremy Riche said. "We've just got to get the ball out and into our playmakers' hands and give them some space to work with [on offense]."
After finishing the season with a 2-2 record, Dillon will hope for a wild card berth into the playoffs.
"This was our best effort to date," Big Red captain and senior defensive lineman Nathaniel Steele said. "If we do get a wild card bid then this is the team we need to be going forward."
While Dillon awaits their fate, Keenan will take on Stanford in the Battle for the Chapel after the off-week for fall break.
Contact Zach Klonsinski at zklonsin@nd.edu
Keough 20, Stanford 0
By JOSÉ FERNÃNDEZ
Sports Writer
After struggling offensively in their previous contest, Keough stormed out of the gates in a 20-0 win over Stanford.
The offensive woes of the Kangaroos (2-1-0) were diminished, as long drives kept momentum on their side. Senior captain and quarterback Seamus Donegan, who totaled three passing touchdowns, said he was thrilled with the way his entire team performed.
"We executed really well," Donegan said. "We are a speedy team on both sides of the ball and we controlled both lines so that allowed us to move the ball and be successful."
Donegan's success was aided by the strong performance of sophomore receiver and safety Mitch Patin. Patin dominated both sides of the ball as he racked up seven catches, two touchdowns and kept Stanford's receivers in check on defense. Patin said that he could not have had this type of performance without his teammates.
"It starts with practice and then our line's performance today," Patin said. "We controlled both lines and we ran our routes our routes effectively. We had a great game."
A shorthanded Stanford (0-3-0) team fought until the last second but mistakes held the Griffins back. Senior captain and lineman Ruben Carrion said he was proud of his team's effort and that they never gave up.
"We have a tough team," Carrion said. "We had a few injuries and players that had never played in the positions they were in, but we kept fighting and I'm proud of that."
Keough will play O'Neill on November 3rd, the same day Stanford will face Keenan.
Contact José Fernández at jfernan9@nd.edu
Carroll 21, Sorin 13
By BRIAN PLAMONDON
Sports Writer
In a must win game for both teams, Carroll outlasted Sorin 21-13 to improve its playoff hopes.
The Vermin (2-0-1) were led by senior quarterback Robert Dorman, who completed 11 of 14 passes for 166 yards and three total touchdowns. He opened the scoring on a five-yard quarterback keeper on Carroll's first offensive drive. On the ensuing Vermin possession, Dorman found senior tight end Jack Gardner for a 10-yard touchdown that gave them a 14-0 lead.
"It's really easy to get open when you have a quarterback that is as mobile as [Dorman] is," Gardner said.
After Sorin closed the gap to one touchdown, Dorman hit freshman receiver Anthony Vallera for a 55-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
After moving the ball to Carroll's 40-yard line, Sorin's hopes were dashed when Carroll senior cornerback Jack Hefferon intercepted a pass from Sorin junior quarterback Patrick Power.
The Otters (1-1-1) were paced by Power, who completed 10 of 12 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. After a quiet first half, Power threw touchdowns to freshman receiver Tyler Metcalf and sophomore receiver Jake Yurek on back-to-back possessions.
"This was my first game, but I really liked the way I clicked with some of our receivers," Power said.
Both teams will complete their regular seasons November 3, with Carroll facing Zahm and Sorin taking on St. Edward's.
Contact Brian Plamondon at bplamond@nd.edu
