Football: Second quarter miscues hinders Bison in loss to Tomcats

GREENVILLE, Pa. – Bethany College football traveled north to Thiel College for their first road trip of the season. In search for win number one, Thiel would defeat Bethany, 22-14.  

THE HIGHLIGHTS

• Both teams struggled to find the end-zone in the first quarter. In the second quarter, both offenses began to heat up with the Bison striking first. After blocking a punt inside the Tomcats' 10-yard line, the Bison's Charlie Mills punched in a two-yard touchdown.
• Unfortunately for the Bison, the Tomcats would respond immediately on an 11-play, 89-yard drive. After successfully converting the two-point conversion, the Tomcats took an 8-7 lead.
• The Tomcats would score right before the half, capping off a 17-yard drive on three plays for a touchdown and took a 15-7 lead heading into the intermission.
• Thiel started the second half where they left off, beginning in Bethany territory after a 47-yard return. The Tomcats would score their final touchdown of the day.
• The Bison tried to regain momentum after Tsi Fofang strip sacked the Tomcats' quarterback, Joseph Fell, giving the Bison the ball at the Tomcat one-yard line. Mills would punch in his second touchdown of the day.
• Bethany continued to fight back, after Markel Ross picked off the Tomcats giving the Bison the ball on their own 48-yard line. The Bison drove down the field to the Tomcat 23-yard line. Jack Sella attempted at 40-yard field goal, but was blocked by the Tomcats.
• The fourth quarter saw no points, as the Tomcats held onto a 22-14 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

• (17) – The Tomcats had 17 first downs to the Bison's seven.
• (40%) – Thiel converted 6-of-15 on third down.
• (199) – The Bison were held to just 199 yards of offense.
• (3) – The Tomcats picked off Kayrus Sam three times for zero return yards.
• (6) – The Bison sacked the Tomcat quarterback six times for a loss of 32-yards.

LEADERS

• Charlie Mills led the Bison in scoring with two touchdowns. Mills totaled 68 yards on 18 attempts and an average of 3.8.
• Tre Dean led the Bison with two receptions for 46 yards.
• Defensively, Tsi Fofang led the Bison with nine tackles (four solo), six sacks for a loss of 21-yards and four tackles for loss. He also forced one fumble. Jermain Snodgrass and Rondell Lewis both had sacks on the day. Snodgrass finished with 1.5 for loss of seven yards while Lewis had one for a loss of a yard.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Bethany returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 23 when they travel to Meadville, Pa. for a PAC matchup against Allegheny College. Kickoff is set for 1 pm.