Outstanding efforts on offense and defense lifted the Cougars over Mid-States Football Association Midwest opponent Trinity International University on Saturday with a 62-7 victory. Their record improved to 5-2, with a conference record of 3-1
Sophomore quarterback Stuart Ross amassed a total of 199 passing yards and completed 15 passes on 17 attempts. Freshman quarterback Joseph Cimino subbed in for Ross in the second quarter, and completed six of nine passes.
Sophomore kicker Peyton Benes was 8-8 on field goal attempts, setting a new career-high. He also recorded a career high 38 yard field goal in the third quarter. Those marks earned Benes a MSFA Midwest Special Teams Player of the Week honor.
Ross led the Cougars downfield for a touchdown on their opening drive, followed by a good kick from Benes to give SXU an early 7-0 advantage. The Cougars went on to score four more touchdowns in the first quarter.
The first quarter concluded with two passing touchdowns from Ross, two rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Amari Venerable, and a 50 yard interception returned by senior defensive back Steven Meyer.
The second quarter was all Cougars again, scoring 21 points on two more touchdowns and a field goal. Junior linebacker Peyton Nigro had a pick-six and returned it for a 23 yard touchdown. Sophomore running back Matthew Chavers III had a rushing touchdown.
Although the Cougars offense quieted down in the third and fourth quarters, scoring six points on two field goals from Benes, they produced more than enough on offense.
The SXU defense should not go unnoticed though, they held the Trojans to just seven points the whole game and totaled three sacks.
One sack each from sophomore defensive end Ayobami Arokoyo and senior defensive lineman Jaleel Holloway. As well as half sacks from senior and sophomore defensive linemen Jaden Chandler and Daveon Jones.
Senior offensive lineman John Ivlow credits the team’s success to “working very hard in practice and bringing out the best in each other”.
The team’s chemistry has shown through all season. Regardless of the outcome of any given game, they perform very well on the field. It is evident that this team has the drive to succeed and be better than their opponent every week.
The Cougars next game is their Senior Day celebration, on Saturday the 30, at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon.
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