Tigers move to 2-0 with 28-21 win over Hope; Ryan breaks SCAC mark

September 14, 2002

GAME STATS | All photos: 2002, Marilyn Culler

 

Matt Stahley intercepts pass in closing minute to preserve DePauw win.

Greencastle, Ind. (9-14-02) - Senior Matt Stahley picked off two passes deep in DePauw territory in the fourth quarter including the final one at the 10-yard line with just 37 seconds left to preserve the Tigers' 28-21 win over visiting Hope. The win lifted DePauw's record to 2-0, while Hope slipped to 0-2.

 

The wild finish started with Hope driving 47 yards in four plays capped by Phil Butler's 13-yard scoring pass to Joel Solomon with 1:16 left. Rob Fron's point-after cut DePauw's lead to 28-21. The Flying Dutchmen then recovered an onside kick at the DePauw 45.

 

After three straight incomplete passes, Butler teamed with Solomon for an 11-yard pass on fourth down to keep Hope's drive alive. However, on the next play, Stahley intercepted Butler's pass at the DePauw 10 to seal the win.

 

Hope took an early 7-0 lead on Butler's 15-yard pass to Joe Verschueren with 12:06 left in the first. The Tigers knotted the contest at 7-7 on Andy Yoder's 15-yard pass to Dan Ryan with 1:53 left. The Flying Dutchmen then took a 14-7 advantage on Butler's 24-yard strike to Devon Quinn with 7:50 remaining in the half.

	Jackson Rust at the beginning of his 16-yard touchdown run. Rust finished with 99 rushing yards.

 

The Tigers rallied for the halftime lead as Jackson Rust scampered 16 yards with 1:17 left in the second to tie the score at 14-14. The DePauw defense then got the ball back when Hope's Brian Boom fumbled after a hit applied by Mike Laszynski. Jeremy Legge pounce on the ball at the Hope 19 with 43 seconds left.

 

Yoder tossed a 6-yard pass to Matt King and then rushed eight yards to the the Hope 5. A pair of incomplete passes followed before Hope was called for holding on back-to-back plays that originally ended as incomplete passes also. King then rushed in from the one with 6 seconds left in the half and Ben Murray's point-after gave DePauw the 21-14 lead.

 

The Tigers didn't waste much time with their first possession of the second half. Starting on their own 26, the Tigers picked up four on Yoder's pass to Andy Tolle. Jackson Rust then gained 22 and 11 yards, on back-to-back plays before Yoder teamed with Ryan for a 37-yard score with 10:17 left in the third. That score was Ryan's 31st career touchdown reception and broke the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference record of 30 set by Trinity's Bo Edwards.

 

Another big play for the DePauw defense came in the third quarter when Butler completed a pass to Scott Jeschke who made it to the DePauw 15 before Josh Angel forced and recovered the fumble at the DePauw 10.

 

Hope totaled 411 yards of offense to DePauw's 354. Butler completed 28 of 57 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. Solomon caught 10 of those for 137 yards, while Verschueren had six for 94 yards. The Flying Dutchmen were limited to just 39 rushing yards on 28 carries.

	Dan Ryan breaks the SCAC record for touchdown receptions on this catch from Andy Yoder.

 

Rust led all rushers with 99 yards on just 15 carries, while Yoder completed 21 of 36 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan caught seven passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Defensively, Matt Beaver led Hope with 11 tackles. Andy Snyder broke up three passes. Legge led the Tigers with nine stops followed by John Christophersen with eight. Stahley and Justin Tillis each broke up three passes, while Dustin Hertel recorded two sacks and three quarterback hurries. Tommy Mitchell added a sack and three hurries.

 

DePauw hosts Hanover on Saturday, September 21, at 1:30 p.m. as part of Parents' Weekend.

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