During the first half the rivals went tit for tat. Amherst got on the board first, as sophomore quarterback Alex Vetras threw a 13-yard touchdown strike to sophomore receiver Ben Kettering with less than a minute left in the first quarter. Wesleyan immediately answered with a touchdown of its own, tying the score at 7-7. Soon thereafter the Cardinals took the lead with a 22-yard field goal, but with seconds on the clock before the half, the Jeffs responded with their own 22-yarder from Amherst kicker junior Matt Eberhart, sending the teams to the locker room with a 10-10 tie at the half.
The second half was a defensive struggle, with the Lord Jeffs holding the Cardinals to just 27 yards and no first downs on the first six possessions. Early in the fourth quarter, Rauh scored what would prove to be the go-ahead touchdown, plowing his way in from two yards out after a 10-play, 77-yard drive. Two late drives by Wesleyan crept dangerously into Amherst territory, but both possessions were cut short by interceptions. Junior defensive back Chris Govey hauled in one pick with three minutes left at the Amherst seven yard line, and junior defensive back Fred Argir caught another one with just seven seconds left.
With the win, the Jeffs moved to 4-1 before their tough final stretch, with games against Tufts, Trinity and Williams Colleges, while Wesleyan fell to 1-4.
The running game was one of the biggest stories of the competition, especially as the Jeffs attempted to run out the clock after Rauh’s early fourth-quarter touchdown. “The running game was so effective because our offensive line and tight ends controlled the line of scrimmage,” said Rauh. “They knew we were going to run, but we as an offense don’t really think about things like that. We have confidence in our defense, and we know if we all do our jobs good things will happen.” Rauh totaled 94 yards rushing, while NeSmith picked up 77 yards, and running back Femi Oyalowa ’11 added 33 yards.
Head Coach E. J. Mills echoed the sentiments of his running back. “We did a good job running the ball and moved the ball consistently all day,” he said. “We had a few critical penalties that stalled a few drives—but overall we played solidly.”
In the air, Vetras went 21 for 33, totaling 175 yards to go along with one touchdown and one interception. Sophomore Brian Murphy was his most potent weapon, pulling in five catches for 78 yards.
With the victory, the Jeffs have now won 14 of the last 15 games against the Cardinals, and hope to carry their recent success into this week’s game against Tufts, and into the Little Three finale against Williams. “Everyone was pumped up for [our] first game of the Little Three, especially because it was Wesleyan’s homecoming,” said Rauh. “Winning the Little Three is one of the goals we talk about as a team.”
Mills noted the leadership of upperclassmen on the team as an important component of the team’s success. “Mike Flanagan played for the first time in two years on Saturday,” said Mills. “He was injured in 2006, and has battled back through a series of injuries. He is an amazing kid whose commitment and dedication to the football program is unparalleled. With that kind of leadership and determination as an example to look up to, this team can be good in years to come.”
When the Jeffs meet up with the 3-2 Tufts Jumbos this Saturday, it is likely to be a difficult match up, but the team is looking forward to it. “Tufts is a good team, but back in front of the home crowd, and with the way we have been playing, I’m looking forward to a good game,” said junior receiver Brandon Bullock. “If we can take it one day at a time and practice well, I think we can get another big win on Saturday.”