Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509180139
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: FERRUM LENGTH: Medium
The destination placard on the Cortland State team bus in Ferrum's parking lot read "No Place Special.''
Saturday, Ferrum coach Dave Davis could have said the same thing about the direction his Panthers are headed.
Ferrum's offense was ineffective as the Red Dragons posted a 13-0 shutout. It was only the third time the Panthers have not scored in 11 seasons of Division III play, but significantly, the second time this season.
``Today was the saddest excuse for offensive execution I've ever seen,'' Davis said. ``It was pitiful. I've got to give [Cortland State] some credit, but we've got more talent than that.
``If you'd have told me before the game that we would hold them to 13 points, I'd have told you we'd win the game. ... It's my fault. I'm the head coach. I take full responsibility.''
Rob Decker scored the only touchdown, a 3-yard run at the end of the first quarter. Red Dragons kicker Brian Anthony booted third-period field goals of 38 and 40 yards to complete the scoring.
The Panthers mustered only nine first downs and 132 yards of total offense. No rusher gained more than 33 yards and quarterback Millard Vining completed just seven of 22 passes.
Cortland (3-0) has beaten Ferrum three of the past four years.
Under a steady rain, Red Dragons' senior quarterback Steve Sanzo completed 15 of 28 passes for 150 yards. In the second half, he was 8-for-12.
``That's a lot better than I thought I did,'' Sanzo said. ``Passing is not the main focus of our offense. This year we want to let our tailbacks win the game for us.''
Sophomore Dan D'Accurzio basically did that by carrying 21 times for 79 yards. D'Accurzio was particularly impressive during a time-consuming drive in the final quarter.
He gained 44 yards on nine carries as the Red Dragons drove from their own 2 to Ferrum's 29. Although Cortland did not score, the march consumed 9:14 and sealed the game.
Ferrum's best opportunity to score was set up by a long kick return by John Poindexter on the final play of the third quarter. Poindexter caught the ball on his 13, and went 46 yards before he was knocked out of bounds.
The Panthers, bolstered by the running of Vining and Buster Coombs, moved to Cortland State's 2 before losing the ball on downs.
Vining kept the ball on an option play on fourth-and-three, gaining two yards before he was tackled.
``The play was supposed to be a loaded speed option,'' Davis said. ``And we had perimeter blocking. Millard just never got to his pitch key.''
After turning the ball over, Ferrum nearly pinned its opponent at the goal line. However, a defensive pass interference penalty on third-and-eight from the 4 gave the Red Dragons a first down and negated Kareem Woods' apparent interception.
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB