Green Terror downs Moravian 13-10 for first 2-0 start since 2005

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Jake Nichols (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) converted his first two collegiate field goal attempts to lead McDaniel to a 13-10 victory over Moravian in Centennial Conference (CC) football action on Saturday.

The Greyhounds (1-1, 1-1 CC) outgained the Green Terror (2-0, 2-0 CC) by a 226-158 margin and had a chance to tie the game with 1:22 to play but Ian Heck's 45-yard field goal from the right hash came up just short.

Kevin White (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Haverford Twp.) led a second consecutive solid defensive effort from McDaniel with a career-best nine tackles and three pass breakups. Paul Smith (Woodlawn, Md./Western Tech) added seven stops, including 2.5 for loss, and a 32-yard interception return for the Green Terror defense, which has allowed just 10 points in helping the squad to its first 2-0 start in five seasons.

Moravian, which racked up 172 rushing yards in its opening win over Susquehanna, was stymied in the running game, managing just 13 net yards on 35 carries.

With the game knotted at 10-all, the Green Terror took over at the Greyhound 30 and 2:41 showing in third quarter and backup quarterback, freshman John Applegate (Brick, N.J./Brick Town) under center for just his second collegiate series.

After three straight Ray O'Hara (Yardley, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic) rushes set up fourth-and-3 from the 23, Applegate found Tom Orrok (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant) for a six-yard gain, first down and his first collegiate completion.

Starting the fouth quarter at the Moravian 18, Applegate found Matt Cahill (Broomall, Pa./Haverford Twp.) for a nine-yard game, setting up third-and-2 from the nine-yard line.

An Applegate rush moved the sticks before three straight running plays netted a one-yard loss and forced a 25-yard field goal attempt.

Nichols split the uprights for his second field goal of the day and a three-point advantage with 11:51 on the clock.

On the ensuing Greyound possession, Phil Gardner used a 44-yard pass play to Shawn Sylvainus move the ball from his own 22 to the Green Terror 11.

After a gain of just one yard on the next three plays, Moravian set up for the potential game-tying field goal but a bad snap on the 27-yard attempt turned the ball over to McDaniel.

After a Nichols punt on the next possession, Tim McLister's (Leesburg, Va./Loudoun) first career interception on a long pass attempt gave the ball right back to the Green Terror.

McDaniel was once again forced to punt on its next possession and the Greyhounds took over with 4:19 to play at their own 36.

A methodical 10-play drive moved the ball to the Green Terror 28. Facing fourth-and-8 with 1:29, Moravian elected for the game-tying field goal attempt but the try sailed under the cross bar.

Similar to its first possession in Week One, McDaniel moved the ball effectively on its opening possession. The drive, however, was kept alive when Chris Kolb (Keymar, Md./Francis Scott Key) took off on a fake punt on fourth-and-3 from the Greyhound 48 for a six-yard gain.

A 10-yard Tom Massucci (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca)-to-Skyler Fultz (Gratz, Pa./Upper Dauphin) competition and 15-yard Massucci-to-Cahill hook-up on back-to-back plays moved the ball to the Moravian 15.

Another seven-yard reception by Cahill and three straight rushes from O'Hara resulted in a touchdown and 7-0 lead with 10:32 on the first-quarter clock.

The Greyhounds, however, needed just three plays and 1:03 to even the game. Taking over at the McDaniel 40, Gardner found Alex Hersch in stride on a post pattern for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

A 37-yard Nichols field goal with 14:17 to play in the first half capped an 8-play, 37-yard drive for a 10-7 lead at the half.

Heck responded midway through the third quarter with a 19-yarder after a Zach Szoke interception gave his offense the ball at the Green Terror 25.

McDaniel's defense recorded three sacks on the afternoon and 14 tackles for loss to go with three interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Kolb joined Smith and McListers with picks. Diego Weiner (Miami, Fla./Riverside Military Academy [Ga.]) added seven tackles.

The Green Terror returns to action at Catholic on Saturday. Game time is 12 p.m.

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