This Week in Bulldog Athletics – Overtime

Week 4 – 56-3 Win

This game had all the ingredients for an absolute electric show. The Bulldogs coming off two tough losses against two great teams, homecoming, a huge home crowd, and the Hall of Fame ceremony. After an opening kickoff return by Brock VanDeveer for a touchdown, a successful onside kick by Jackson Davis that was recovered by Brock VanDeveer, and a rushing touchdown by Cade Ashby, the Bulldogs were suddenly up 14-0 with only 88 seconds ticked off the clock. Many watching knew at that time, this game was over.

Still a lot of game left to be played, and the Bulldog coaches and players remained focused.

The Bulldog defense forced the Trojans to punt on their next drive. Gavin Hammerschmidt received the punt and took it the house on a 73-yard punt return for another Bulldog touchdown. After another successful Jackson Davis extra point, the Bulldogs were up 21-0 with 9:59 remaining in the first quarter.

Special teams made another onside kick attempt but were unsuccessful. The Bulldog defense kept their ears pinned back and forced another Trojan punt. The snap sailed over the Trojan kicker, who was able to recover the wild snap at the Bulldog 20-yard line after being relentlessly pursued by Brock VanDeveer. The Bulldog offense was back in business and made quick work of the opportunity when Luke Dyer found Bryson Tiefenthaler on a 7-yard TD pass. Bulldogs were up 28-0 with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.

The Trojans were able to move the ball down the field on their next possession, but the Bulldog defense forced another punt. The Bulldog offense took over deep in their own territory. A quick pass to Gavin Hammerschmidt got the Bulldogs out to the Bulldog 30-yard line. Ashby was able to grind out some positive yardage to keep the Bulldog drive alive. Luke Dyer then found Owen Seymour on a 41-yard pass and put the Bulldogs on the Trojan 4-yard line. Dyer then found Mason Orton on a slant route for another Bulldog touchdown. Bulldogs were up 35-0 with 4:15 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bulldog defense, yet again, forced a Trojan punt and gave the ball back to the Bulldogs. Gavin Hammerschmidt, with another long reception from Dyer, got the drive started. The Bulldogs marched down the field and ended the drive with a second Cade Ashby rushing touchdown to put the Bulldogs up 42-0 with 1:38 left in the first quarter.

That was a very dominating first quarter performance in all facets of the game. In the first quarter, the Bulldog offense had 43 rushing yards and 171 passing yards. The Bulldog defense held the Trojans to just 7 rushing yards and -19 passing yards, negative 12 yards of offense for the Trojans. Absolute domination.

We head to the second quarter with a running clock! The Bulldogs scored again on a 35-yard touchdown strike from Luke Dyer to Mason Orton to put the Bulldogs up 49-0 with 8:53 remaining in the second quarter.

The Trojans marched down the field, burning the clock, and called a timeout with seconds remaining in the half. Trojans made a 47-yard field goal to end the half. Bulldogs went into halftime up 49-3.

The second half went very fast with the help of a running clock. The last points scored in the game occurred with 10:41 remaining in the fourth quarter when Cody Moen punched it in from the 3-yard line for a rushing touchdown.

The Bulldog offense, defense, and special teams were nearly perfect all game. The O-line and the D-line were sensational.

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞

The Bulldogs put up 318 total yards on offense (206 passing yards and 112 yards passing). Luke Dyer was 10-16 passing with three touchdowns to compliment his 206 yards.

Gavin Hammerschmidt was the leading receiver with four catches for 100 yards. Hammerschmidt had some key receptions that gained great yards to keep the Bulldog offense moving down the field.

Mason Orton had three receptions for 48 yards, and two of those receptions were touchdowns, including the 35-yard strike from Dyer in the endzone.

Owen Seymour had one reception, and it was a 41-yard reception near the goal line. Bryson Tiefenthaler also had one reception, which was a touchdown.

The O-line was sensational. The boys in the trenches created lanes for the running backs and barely let the Trojan defense get a chance to touch Dyer.

𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞

The Bulldog defense only gave up 89 total yards to Charleston. They were dominating from the get-go. The D-line provided consistent and powerful pressure on the Trojan QB. As quick as the offense was scoring, the defense never lost stride during their short breaks on the sidelines. The Bulldogs spread the wealth on tackles, as just about everybody contributed. Henry Wagner led the way with 5 tackles. Brock VanDeveer and Pierce Douglas each had 4 tackles. Ethan Esker, Beau Back, and Luke Buh each had 3 tackles.

Chase Dockham had an interception.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬

The tone setter of this game was the Bulldog Special Teams. Right from the get-go, Brock VanDeveer had the 93-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown. Jackson Davis with a successful onside kick that was recovered by VanDeveer. Gavin Hammerschmidt had the 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.

To top it off, Jackson Davis was perfect in his 8 extra-point attempts.

On the ground, Cade Ashby had 38 yards on 6 carries with two touchdowns. Cody Moen has 24 yards on 6 receptions and one touchdown. Tristan Nelson had 5 carries for 41 yards.

The Bulldogs are 2-2 on the season and 1-0 in the Apollo Conference. The team heads to Taylorville on September 27 for another conference matchup.

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