Quarterback Stuart Ross scanning the field to make the right pass SXU Athletics
Saturdays are for college football and your Cougars are back and ready to bring that thrilling energy this season. After finishing last season with a decent 8-4 record, the Cougars look to improve and add more wins to their record.
As much as they are focused on winning every game possible, it is also very important for the Cougars to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Losing in the quarterfinals last season to Northwestern College (Iowa) has made the Cougars ready to run it back and strive for greatness. So far, they are off to a great start.
No. 9 SXU vs Lawrence Tech University: 31-7 (W)
In their season debut, the Cougars knew they had to come out strong against Lawrence Tech and show them that they aren’t a team to push around. Scoring in three out of the four quarters of the game, SXU showed no mercy and cruised straight to victory.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Stuart Ross performed well in this game as he threw for 276 yards on 22-32 (68.8%) passing.
Graduate student wide receiver Julian Smith was heavily involved in the offense as he recorded the most receptions in the game with 12, going for 130 receiving yards. Smith also ran for seven rushing yards on two carries.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver and punter Joe Polselli had himself a great game as he recorded the second most receptions on the team, hauling in seven for 71 yards and a touchdown. Polselli even found himself scoring early as Ross threw to Polselli from 32 yards on the opening drive.
Senior running back Jessi Plunkett ran for 45 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown. Ross picked up some yards as he ran for 15 yards on two carries.
Graduate student linebacker Ryan Fitzgerald showed out in the season opener as he recorded two touchdowns, threw for 19 yards on an efficient three for three (100%) passing, and had three carries for seven yards.
On the defensive side, Fitzgerald recorded a total of four tackles. Two being solo, and the other two being assisted tackles.
The Cougars were truly getting things going on the offensive side, it is also the same story on the defensive.
Junior linebacker Terry Elias Jr. led the team in tackles as he recorded nine total tackles in the game with five of those tackles being solo.
Senior defensive back Bruce Pendleton III had eight tackles with four of them being solo and the other four were assisted tackles.
Junior defensive back Alex Art put in a lot of work as he recorded a pass breakup and made seven tackles with six of them being solo. Art led the team in solo tackles as six was the highest amount of solo tackles made by one individual player.
Junior linebacker Chris Swayne was also dominant in this game as he tied with Pendleton III for second most tackles with eight (three solos).
Senior defensive back Nick Schultz showed up on defense getting seven tackles with two of them being solo, and five of them being assisted.
Fifth-year kicker Peyton Benes had an effortless showing as he went four for four on PATs (points after touchdown), and Benes was successful on a 25-yard field goal that he kicked in the third quarter.
This season opener has many SXU supporters and fans excited because of the way these Cougars performed on the field. Scoring on the opening drive, playing great defense, and playing together as a team.
Leadership also plays a big role in their success, as QB1 (quarterback) Ross is the trusted guy to make the right passes and lead his squad to wins. But it’s very important that everyone on the team steps up.
The Cougars hope to spark a winning streak as they will make their home debut next Saturday against St. Thomas University (Fla.). The game starts at 12:00 noon, and will be played at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial field.