Wolverines Dismiss the Captains

Dover, Del. - Questions about the 2009 edition of the Wesley College Wolverines were answered today as junior quarterback Shane McSweeney (Bensalem, Pa.) tossed a pair of touchdown passes to new wide out Ellis Krout (Dallas, Tx.) and the Wesley defense pitched their first shutout in a decisive 34-0 victory over the visiting Captains of Christopher Newport University.

Wesley eagerly awaited the visit of the #20 ranked Captains after last year's meeting was canceled due to Tropical Storm Hanna. Before kickoff, the Wolverines showed a tremendous amount of respect for CNU's potent running game and the talents of pre-season all-american Tunde Ogun. After the kickoff it was a completely different story.

The Wolverine defense was down right rude to Ogun and the rest of the Captain offense. Time after time the Wesley defensive players fought through gaps, reaching Ogun and his mates in the backfield. Ogun finished the day gaining only 6 yards on 12 carries (0.7 yard per carry). Captain quarterback Matt Long was the rushing leader with 44 of the team's 69 yards on the day.

Wesley's returning starting safeties Marcus Wilson (Pennsauken, N.J.) and Aaron Benson (Swarthmore, Pa.) sliced through offensive blockers to take down the ball carrier before they could get started, accounting for 8 and 6 tackles a piece. Wilson, a transfer from the University of Iowa delivered numerous bone crunching tackles that will have offensive coordinators, and quarterbacks, taking notice in upcoming film sessions.

Benson, a second year captain as a junior, used his head in a different way, ball hawking his way to a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. In the end, Wesley's defense held the Captains to only 241 total yards, and average of 3.8 per play.

Wesley's offense was not far behind. With the departure of star wide-out Larry Beavers to the NFL, the Wolverine faithful wondered who would fit into those fast shoes. In stepped 6-4 Ellis Krout, transfer receiver from Galivan (Calif.) College. Krout made his debut at Scott D. Miller Stadium by hauling in 3 passes, including 55 and 15 yard touchdowns.

Krout first score put Wesley up 6-0 on their second drive of the first quarter. Wolverine placekicker, Colin Blugis (Odenton, Md.), had his extra point attempt blocked by Markis Kelly of the Captains.

Wesley offense found its rhythm later in the fist quarter marching 95 yards down the field in 10 plays ending with a 13 yard scoot around the left side by senior running back Aaron Jackson (New Brunswick, N.J.). After sharing the backfield for two years with Mike Pennewell, Jackson showed that the Wesley running game is as strong as ever churning out 94 yards on 19 carries. Blugis nailed the extra point this time giving Wesley a 13-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The Captain's defense rallied in the second quarter forcing three consecutive Wolverine 3-and-outs, only allowing Wesley into their territory once to the 49. As the team went into the locker room, Wesley controlled the game at 13-0.

Wesley opened the scoring in the second half, with the second of Krout two recieving touchdowns. The catch finished off an 8-play, 64-yard drive, that also included 24 rushing yards from Jackson. The extra point sailed through the uprights with Wesley now firmly in control at 20-0 early in the third quarter.

Jackson increased the Wesley lead with his second touchdown of the day punching in a 1-yard dive off the left side culminating another 8-play drive. The dive followed a spectacular catch by starting tight end Sean McAndrew who went out of bounds right over the goal marker but was called down at the 1-yard line. Blugis again found the uprights and Wesley was cruising at 27-0.

The scoring was completed in the fourth quarter with Benson on the receiving end of Captain's Matt Long's pass, then galloping 73-yards for the score giving Wesley a decisive 34-0 opening weekend victory over a ranked opponent.

Wesley travels to North Greenville University, a NCAA Division II Independent. Wesley expects an 11-hour bus ride to take on the Crusaders in Tigerville, SC. Wesley will also keep an eye on the Captain's next opponent as they play host to the Salisbury University Seahawks at Pomoco Stadium in Newport News, Va.