Redhawks Advance To Take on Top-Seeded Wesley

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. --- Despite falling behind 16-0 to the #21 Red Hawks of Montclair State University, #23 Hampden-Sydney College made a furious fourth quarter comeback, coming within two but ultimately fell 16-14 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship. The Tigers end their season at 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the ODAC while the Red Hawks advance to 10-1 and will face top-seeded Wesley College next Saturday.

While the Red Hawks forced a Hampden-Sydney punt on the first drive of the game, they took that momentum to begin a successful drive into Tiger territory. They were able to march 76 yards, but sophomore sensation Steven Fogleman intercepted a Tim Fischer pass in the end zone to keep the game scoreless.

Just two plays later, however, a Tiger fumble gave the ball right back to Montclair State. The Hampden-Sydney defense did not bend though, forcing a turnover on downs.

Both teams traded punts into the second quarter with neither offense gaining any ground. At the 6:27 mark in the second quarter, it was Montclair State that broke the tie with a Matt Jimenez 14-yard touchdown run. Hampden-Sydney came down to respond on the next drive, but a David Prizzia field goal missed to keep it a 7-0 game.

Montclair State spent the next four minutes compiling a drive that ended with a 24-yard field goal just before the half.

The Tigers came out a renewed team after the intermission, and the defense gave up almost no ground. Senior Bill Doody picked off Fischer on the first drive, and senior Trevor Ikwild picked off the very next drive. 

Ikwild's interception put the Tigers on the Montclair State 20 yard line, but a goal line fumble kept Hampden-Sydney out of the end zone.  

After traded punts, the Red Hawks found the end zone one more time on a Dan Keegan 81-yard touchdown reception near the end of the third quarter. The Red Hawks missed the extra point and took a 16-0 lead.

Hampden-Sydney took the ensuing drive into the fourth quarter and consecutive grabs from Sean Cavanagh got the Tigers close enough for Evan King to punch it in the end zone. On the two-point attempt, Travis Lane found Andrew Bruckner for the successful conversion, cutting the deficit to 16-8.

Lane and Bruckner hooked up one more time, seven minutes later, for the Tigers second touchdown on the nine-yard hook up. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, though Hampden-Sydney cut its deficit to 16-14 with 5:14 to play.

Hampden-Sydney's defense came up big, forcing a three-and-out, but Montclair State cornerback Gary Knoeppel made an impressive snag on a Lane pass to give the Red Hawks the ball right back. Montclair State was able to hold on for the final three minutes to advance to the second round.

On the day, Cavanagh was impressive all around tallying game-highs in receptions (9) and receiving yards with 160. Lane was 30-for-49 for 314 yards, one touchdown and one interception. King tallied 62 yards through the air on eight receptions while Kyle Vance hauled in five passes for 58 yards.

Defensively, Ikwild had a monster game with 19 tackles and an interception. Fogleman added ten stops and an interception, and Mark Poydence added nine tackles.

For Montclair State, Jimenez ran for a game-high 113 yards on 29 carries with one touchdown. Keegan also was solid with six receptions for 149 yards and a score. Defensively, the Red Hawks were led by Ed Kirschenbaum who tallied eight tackles and a forced fumble.

Hampden-Sydney ends its season at 9-2 overall.

This release is courtesy of the Hampden-Sydney College sports information department.