Week 3: 13-21 Loss
Coming into the season, the Bulldogs arguably had the toughest three games to open up a season in the Coach Adkins era. The first three games were all non-conference opponents and all perennial post-season contenders. These types of games against tough opponents early in the season usually pay dividends later in the season. Time will tell, but the best is yet to come for this team.
This week it was Sycamore who is probably the toughest opponent the Bulldogs will face this regular season. They are strong in all facets of the game.
The Bulldogs got the ball first in the opening quarter and drove the ball down the field with relative ease. It looked like the Bulldogs were going to march it into the endzone for the first score of the game once they got into the red zone. Sycamore intercepted a pass intended for Wade Manuel in the endzone to end the drive for the Bulldogs. The Bulldog defense came up with a big stop on the next Sycamore possession. However, the Bulldog offense could not get their passing game going in the first quarter to much of the credit of the Sycamore defense. Sycamore was able to find the endzone for the first score of the game with 4:14 remaining in the first quarter.
Sycamore got on the board again with 9:22 remaining in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead over the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs had some momentum moving down the field on their next possession. Trey Peters caught a pass in the middle of the field for a 32-yard gain. Peters would go down with an injury and would not return to the game. The Bulldog drive was cut short on an eventual turnover on downs. The Bulldog defense held strong and got the ball back for the Bulldog offense with 2:44 left in the half. The Bulldogs did not score and went into halftime down by a score of 14-0.
In the opening kickoff of the second half, the Bulldogs onside kicked and recovered the football, but the Bulldogs could not march the offense down the field. The defense was once again strong and forced a punt on the next Sycamore possession. On the next Bulldog possession, the Bulldogs went run heavy and smash-mouthed the ball down the field for their first points of the game when Cade Ashby found the endzone with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter. The Bulldogs cut the deficit and trailed by a score of 14-7. The momentum seemed to be shifting in favor of the Bulldogs. However, on the ensuing kickoff, Sycamore returned it for a touchdown to take a 21-7 lead.
On the next possession, in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs continued the run game with Ashby with success. The drive ended with a Dyer touchdown on a QB keeper near the goal line. Sycamore still had the lead, 21-13, with 7:27 remaining in the game. Neither team would score the remainder of the game.
The biggest takeaway from the game is the fact that the Bulldogs were able to adjust and find ways to compete against a very strong team in a playoff type of game. Cade Ashby and the Bulldog run game was strong. His strong performance will make it a challenge for future teams to prepare for the Bulldogs.
Also, a big improvement this week was the Bulldog defense, which really tamed a strong Sycamore offense. Brock VanDeveer delivered some devastating hits, and Henry Wagner had some key tackles. The O-line and D-line had great games as well.
It wasn’t the Bulldog’s night on the scoreboard, but the heart and resilience they showed against a great opponent will lead to great things later on this season. The Bulldogs are battle-tested going into conference play.
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞
The MS offense accumulated a total of 291 yards (133 in the air and 158 on the ground).
Cade Ashby was a workhorse for the Bulldog’s run game. The junior accumulated 164 yards on the ground on 39 attempts and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. The grittiness and toughness of Ashby really kept the Bulldogs in the game. Ashby had one rushing TD.
Luke Dyer was 10-20 passing with 133 passing yards. He had one rushing touchdown.
𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞
The Bulldog defense held Sycamore to 178 yards (76 yards passing and 102 yards rushing). The defense really stepped up this game and had some big stops for the Bulldogs. Brock VanDeveer delivered some crushing tackles that rattled Sycamore.
Henry Wagner led the Bulldogs with 12 tackles. Ethan Esker was just behind him with 11 tackles.
Brock VanDeveer: 6 tackles
Beau Back: 4 tackles
Jayvon Tompkins: 4 tackles
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬
Jackson Davis was 1-2 on extra points.
Special Teams did allow a kickoff return, but they also successfully executed an onside kick to start the second half.
Varsity football is 1-2 on the season.
The Bulldogs return home on Friday when they welcome Charleston to open up conference play. Next week is homecoming week. Always an exciting time in Bulldog Nation.
Go Bulldogs!
This Week in Bulldog Athletics - Overtime 