WC football rushes to 49-20 win over Earlham in opener

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WILMINGTON — What a way for the Wilmington College football team to start the 2017 season, a 49-20 victory in the “Quaker Bowl” over Earlham Saturday at Williams Stadium.

It was a successful debut for new WC head football coach Bryan Moore.

“We definitely wanted to establish an identity,” Moore said. “We want to run the football and on defense do a much better job of tackling. We had a lot of gang tackles today and I am pleased with the kids buying into the type of mentality that we’re trying to establish.”

Wilmington starts the year 1-0 for the first time since beating Bluffton to start the 2015 season. Earlham has lost 34 straight games.

“The feeling out there was surreal, everybody shaking hands, getting hugs and pats on the back but now it kinds of sinks in,” Moore said. “Wow, it was really cool what the guys did out there today and I give a lot of praise to my assistants. I feel we have a good group of assistant coaches here. Many of them gave up good established jobs to come here and take a chance of getting this thing turned around. We’re off to a good start and now we have to keep it going.”

After a bye week, Moore and the Quakers will travel to Westerville to face Otterbein in the Ohio Athletic Conference opener Sept. 16.

Wilmington tied a team record in the contest, accounting for 381 yards rushing, which tied a mark previously set in 1993 versus Bluffton.

The offense set the tone early, going to paydirt the very first time it took the field. Wilmington went 73 yards on eight plays as senior quarterback Luke Creditt connected with senior wide receiver PJ Meyer on a 20-yard TD pass at the 9:41 mark. Kicker Kevin Shamp connected on the first of what would be seven PATs as the hometown Quakers took a 7-0 lead at the first quarter break.

WC exploded for three second quarter touchdowns, including two on the ground — one each by Gino Hinton and Eric Flynn as Wilmington took a 21-6 advantage.

But, the highlight of the day came in the closing minute of the half, right after the defensive unit stopped Earlham at the 48, forcing an EC punt which sailed into the end zone for a touchback.

On the first play from scrimmage, Creditt hooked up with Meyer on an 80-yard scoring play, a long pass in front of the WC sidelines that sent WC into the locker-room with a 28-6 lead.

That momentum did not fade in the second half, as Wilmington put the game away scoring three consecutive touchdowns to start the half.

Wilmington generated 583 yards in total offense while holding Earlham to 286. Wilmington averaged 7.5 yards per rushing attempt (51-381).

Wilmington did not allow a quarterback sack on the day and they were never forced to punt the ball away.

Individually, two players rushed for over 100 yards. Flynn led the ground attack with 120 yards and Creditt had 116 on 16 carries.

Moore also had praise for the offensive line, which included Sterling Clark, Saul Boysel, Kevin Valdez and Nick Moore.

“Those guys did a great job giving Luke the protection and time he needed back there,” he said.

Reflecting on his first game as a head coach, the reality of it all did not set in until he had a chance to gather his thoughts sitting in the office afterwards.

SUMMARY

Sept 2 2017

@Townsend Field

Wilmington 49 Earlham 20

E 00.06.06.08…..20

W 07.21.14.07…..49

First quarter

W-PJ Meyer 20 yard pass from Luke Creditt (Kevin Shamp PAT) 3:11

Second quarter

W-Gino Hinton 8 yard run (Kevin Shamp PAT) 1:56

E-Hundley 4 yard run (Kerobo PAT) 4:18

W-Eric Flynn Jr 4 yard run (Kevin Shamp PAT) 3:24

W-PJ Meyer 80 yard pass from Luke Creditt (Kevin Shamp PAT) 0:11

Third quarter

E-Hundley 3 yard run (Run failed) 4:22

W-Luke Creditt 2 yard run (Kevin Shamp PAT) 4:40

W-Eric Flynn Jr 23 yard run (Kevin Shamp PAT) 1:20

Fourth quarter

W-Kyle Barrett 1 yard run (Kevin Shamp PAT) 5:11

E-Cooper 32 yard pass from Hundley (Cooper pass from Hundley) 2:15

Team stats

EC-60 plays, 286 yards (32-134 rushing; 20-28-0, 152 passing). Fumbles/lost 0-0. Penalties 5-20

WC-68 plays, 583 yards (51-381 rushing; 9-17-0, 202 passing). Fumbles/lost 3-0. Penalties 5-97

Individual stats

RUSHING: E-Hundley 28-130, Kinney 3-3, Clark 1-1. W-Flynn 10-120, Creditt 12-116, Hinton 11-77, Johnston 8-33, K. Jones 5-33, Barrett 3-13

PASSING: E-Hundley 20-28, 152 yards 1 TD 0 INT; W-Creditt 8-15, 167 yards 2 TD 0 INT; Higgins 1-2, 35 yards, 0 TD 0 INT

RECEIVING: E-Cooper 7-76, Barnes 3-38, Bilal 3-20, Kinney 3-14, Peters 1-4, Clark 1-4, Engle 1-1, Cothren 1-(-5). W-Meyer 2-100, Jackson 2-27, Hightower 2-26, Voltz 1-35, Flynn 1-7, Maddox 1-7

TACKLES: E-O’Donnell 12, Enwright 11. W-Gonzalez 10 Thompson 6 Keil 6 Weathersby 6 Henry 6 Higgins 5 Prince 5 Middleton 4 Logic 4 Narcisse-Murphy 4 Parks 3 Wilson 3 Ross 3 Broussard 2 Asmus 2 Chin 2 Volle 2 Milligan 2 D. Jones 1 Ackley 1.

SACKS: W- Middleton 1 Gonzalez 0.5 Prince 0.5 Narcisse-Murphy 0.5 Ackley 0.5

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http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_ajhightowerJS.jpg

Brandon Middleton (11) and the WC defense had a solid day against Earlham Saturday.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_brandonmiddletonJS.jpgBrandon Middleton (11) and the WC defense had a solid day against Earlham Saturday. John Swartzel | News Journal

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_credittscoreJS.jpgJohn Swartzel | News Journal

Eric Flynn Jr. led WC in rushing with 120 yards. He scored two touchdowns in Saturday’s win.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_ericflynnjrJS.jpgEric Flynn Jr. led WC in rushing with 120 yards. He scored two touchdowns in Saturday’s win. John Swartzel | News Journal

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_ginohintonJS.jpgJohn Swartzel | News Journal

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_kylebarrettJS.jpgJohn Swartzel | News Journal

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_pjmeyerJS.jpgJohn Swartzel | News Journal

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_teamquakerbowlJS.jpgJohn Swartzel | News Journal

Wilmington College football coach Bryan Moore holds the Quaker Bowl and talks with his team following Saturday’s 49-20 win over Earlham.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_WC1_bryanmooreteamJS.jpgWilmington College football coach Bryan Moore holds the Quaker Bowl and talks with his team following Saturday’s 49-20 win over Earlham. John Swartzel | News Journal
WC football ties rush record in 49-20 win

By Bill Liermann

WNJ Sports Writer

Bill Liermann covers college and high school sports for the News Journal. Follow him on Twitter @lierjet.

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