SALISBURY, MD-In a back-and-forth nail biter, it was Hampden-Sydney that came up with the big plays at the end of the game to extend its road win streak to 17 with the 32-28 win over Salisbury University. With the win, the Tigers advance to 4-0 before beginning conference play next week.
The host Seagulls began to march down the field on the first drive of the game, getting to Hampden-Sydney six yard line, but the stalwart defense stopped the potential opening score with a Kenny Fryman (Mechanicsville, VA/Hanover) fumble recovery.
Though the Tiger offense went three and out, freshman punter Corey Geiger (Chesapeake, VA/Western Branch) booted a 72 yarder to down Salisbury on its own 14 yard line. Two plays later, August Berling (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) forced another fumble that was recovered by Ty Condrey (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester) on the Salisbury 26 yard one.
It took just one play for Travis Lane (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) to find Sean Cavanagh (Midlothian, VA/Clover Hill) in the end zone to go up 7-0 just five minutes into the game.
It did not take long, however, for the Seagulls to tie it up. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Bryan Woolson took off down the sideline for the 86 yard equalizer.
Neither team could find any offense, with each team trading punts.
The Tigers controlled the first half of the second quarter, compiling a 20 play, eight minute drive that cumulated with a 23 yard David Prizzia (Jacksonville, FL/Episcopal) field goal.
After the defense forced another three and out, the Tiger offense began to grind again. Lane had big plays in the drive, including a 23 yard pass to Cavanagh and a 13 yard pass to Andrew Bruckner (Chesterfield, VA/L.C. Bird). Though Hampden-Sydney could not find the end zone, Prizzia was able to get through the uprights again - this time from 35 yards away - to go up 13-7.
Salisbury started what looked to be the final drive of the half, but Andrew Bailey (Hopewell, VA/Prince George) recovered the third fumble of the half to give the Tigers the ball back with 15 seconds. On the Hampden-Sydney 48 yard line, Lane connected with Cavanagh yet again for 39 yards to put the Tigers on the Salisbury 13 yard line. Prizzia's kick was wide right to keep the score 13-7 at the half.
With the ball to start the second half, Hampden-Sydney took just 2:49 off the clock to find pay dirt when Evan King (Lewisburg, WV/Episcopal) powered his way for the score on a four yard run. After a failed two point conversion, the Tigers extended their lead to 19-7.
After trading two failed drives, Salisbury kept itself in the game yet again, when Woolson had a 43 yard sprint for the end zone cutting Hampden-Sydney's lead to 19-14 with just over five and a half minutes left in the quarter.
After the Salisbury defense stood strong against Lane and the Tiger offense, Seagull quarterback Dan Griffin broke several tackles to break out for a 70 yard touchdown run to give the Gulls their first lead of the game at 21-19.
Salisbury extended the lead with a drive that continued to the fourth quarter. After Griffin scampered in for the one yard score, the Seagulls had a two possession lead at 28-19.
Hampden-Sydney was down but not out, and just a minute and a half later, Lane hit Kyle Vance (Onley, VA/Broadwater Academy) for a 25 yard touchdown pass to cut it to 28-26.
Salisbury began a crucial drive with 11:27 left in the game that would take the Seagulls to the Hampden-Sydney 13 yard line. After Will Riggenbach (Midlothian, VA/Clover Hill) and Condrey tackles-for-loss of six yards each, Bill Doody (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Cardinal Gibbons) broke up a fourth and 26 pass to give Hampden-Sydney the ball on its own 30 yard line with 4:55 to play.
The Tigers wasted no time as Lane hit Bruckner for 23 yards and then took it himself for 13 yards on the ground. Four plays later, Lane hit Bruckner again, this time for 17 yards to get to the Salisbury one yard line, setting up King's second touchdown of the day to reclaim the lead 32-28.
Salisbury took over on its own 20 with 1:12 and one drive to win in front of its home crowd. Griffin completed three straight passes for 69 yards putting the Seagulls at the Tigers' 11 yard line with just 37 seconds. After two incomplete passes, Fryman stopped a Griffin run for six yards to set up fourth and four with 22 seconds.
After the Seagull timeout, Griffin snapped the ball and surveyed the field. He cocked his arm and fired for Alex Boseman in the end zone. Luckily for the Tigers, Shane Clarke (Manchester, VA/Midlothian) leaped up and swatted the pass out of the air to seal the victory.
On the day, Hampden-Sydney put together 470 yards of total offense behind Lane's 28-of-44 passing, 383 yards and two touchdowns. Vance led the way receiving with nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown while Cavanagh snared eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, King tallied 79 yards and two scores.
Defensively, the Tigers were led by Trevor Ikwild (Philomont, VA/Loudoun Valley) with 10 tackles. Fryman was not far behind with nine.
Salisbury amassed 555 yards of total offense and 446 on the ground behind 178 yards from Griffin and 147 yards from Woolson.
Hampden-Sydney will return to action next Saturday, October 2 as it travels to Washington D.C. to face ODAC-foe Catholic University. Kick off is set for 1:00 pm.
