Carrollton, GA -One word that could describe the West Georgia Wolves headed into Saturday's contest with Concordia would be hungry. With a 24-20 win over the Hornets, the Wolves satisfied that hunger for at least 12 days and are now 1-1 for the 2010 season.
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UWG-Concordia Gallery
The defense was again the story in this game, as West Georgia's defensive front had a consistent team meeting in the face of the Concordia quarterbacks, collecting nine sacks on the day. It was the most team sacks for the Wolves since Arkansas-Monticello in 2007, when UWG went for seven sacks.
Jeremy Cook was the star of the defense on the day, setting a school record with five sacks. That number bested now Canadian Football League star Odell Willis' four sacks against Valdosta State in 2005.
“I’m proud of the boys; this was a big step today. We wanted to win,” said head coach
Daryl Dickey.
“We are nowhere close to what this team is capable of doing, but we are going to savor this for a minute and then go to work to get ready for Harding.”
Within minutes of the kickoff, Hornets quarterback
T’Chelpio Woods completed a 33-yard pass to Jeremy Morris to put Concordia on the board. But it would be a sign of things to come, as UWG defensive lineman
Juan Pickett blocked the Hornets kick to keep the game at a mere 6-0.
The second quarter belonged to West Georgia, as the Wolves scored 10 unanswered points to head into the locker room with a 10-6 lead.
The first score for the Wolves came on a 60-yard march that began with 11:36 mark of the second quarter. UWG quarterback
Brandon Behenna led the Wolves on the drive that stalled at the Concordia 13 yard line.
Mark Bardenwerper's kick was true from 30 yards out, pulling UWG to within three at 6-3.
On the ensuing drive for Concordia, Cook and defensive tackle Antoine Moore combined for a
Youssif Celebrates his touchdown
third-down sack, forcing a three-and-out and giving the ball back to Behenna.
Behenna went right back to work, engineering an eight-play, 85-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Arkeem French. The UWG signal-caller was 3-for-3 through the air on the drive for 48 yards and added three rushes for nine yards to give the Wolves a 10-6 advantage.
The third quarter was a defensive struggle in the middle of the field, as the teams traded three-and-outs for much of the period. With 7:38 remaining in the period, the Wolves had the best opportunity of the period to score.
Following an Andre Pope interception, the Wolves found themselves with a first-and-goal at the Concordia nine yard line. On second down, Behenna completed a pass to Kevin Myles at the one. In fighting to get to the goal line, Myles took a shot and the ball popped free. Concordia pounced on it at the one, halting the UWG scoring effort.
The two teams made up for lost time in the fourth quarter as every drive except for one was a scoring drive in that period. Concordia kicked off the fourth quarter scoring with a nine-yard strike from Woods to Morris again, putting the Hornets up 12-10.
The Wolves struck right back, this time on the legs of All-Conference running back Yusuf Holloway, who rushed twice for 29 yards on the drive, including a one-yard scoring plunge to put UWG back on top 17-12. The score was the first rushing touchdown for Holloway in his three years in the West Georgia backfield.
Woods and Concordia continued the see-saw battle, mounting a nine-play, 69-yard drive that finished with Anthony Ward scoring on a one-yard run. Woods completed a pass to Taron Squires for the two-point conversion and a 20-17 advantage for the Hornets.
On the ensuing kickoff, UWG senior George Summerset broke free for 53 yards, setting West Georgia up with great field position at the Concordia 23. It took the Wolves eight plays to move 23 yards, but Behenna completed a 1-yard pass to Daniel Youssif with 1:22 left on the clock for the go-ahead score. Davis Brackett's extra point was good, giving the Wolves a 24-20 lead.
Cook kicked things off on the Hornets' final drive with his fifth sack. He stayed in the Concordia backfield for much of the possession, causing havoc for the Hornet quarterbacks.
But on the final meaningful play of the game, Brandon McEachern forced Woods out of the pocket and into the waiting arms of Travis Payton for the sack. Payton jarred the ball loose and Pickett picked it up and rumbled 24 yards to the Concordia two yard line with three seconds left on the clock. Behenna took a knee to finish off the game.
“We just wanted to get the win, take this one for our house…and stick together out there,” said Cook.
Behenna was 13-of-21 for 155 yards on the afternoon with two touchdowns and added 20 rushes for 56 yards. Holloway had 13 carries for 95 yards and a score to lead the rushing effort and had five receptions for 58 yards out of the backfield.
The Wolves have next Saturday off before beginning Gulf South Conference play on Thursday, September 16 at University Stadium against Harding. The game will be the CSS GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.