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Game Statistics
EDINBORO, PA - Edinboro head coach Lou Tepper knew his defense would have its hands full against East Stroudsburg quarterback Jim Terwilliger. The Fighting Scots defeated East Stroudsburg a year ago, 31-20, "limiting" Terwilliger to 288 yards through the air. Edinboro would go on to finish as PSAC West co-champions, while ESU was the PSAC East co-champion.
Edinboro's second meeting with Terwilliger was not as favorable, as the sophomore signalcaller led East Stroudsburg to a 20-7 win. The Warriors are now 2-0 while the Fighting Scots lose their second straight season opener and fifth in the last six years Edinboro opened the season ranked 21st in the AFCA Division II poll.
Terwilliger nearly matched last year's total in the first half alone, passing for 228 yards in a half featuring plenty of offense but little scoring. ESU had the ball in Edinboro territory on all four of its first half possessions, but could only manage a 26-yard field goal by Mark Brubaker with 4:38 remaining in the second quarter. One drive was stoped by an interception at the Edinboro 15, and two other drives resulted in missed field goals, one a 26-yarder which was blocked by Seth Fragale (Emporium, PA/Cameron County), and a 24-yard attempt which was wide right at the end of the half.
Edinboro had its share of opportunities in the first half, as well. The Scots drove to the ESU three on their first possession, but Matt Crispell intercepted Justin Bouch's (Brackenridge, PA/Highlands) pass in the end zone. The second drive resulted in a lost fumble at the ESU three. All told, East Stroudsburg rolled up 268 yards in the first half compared to 159 for Edinboro, and ran off 42 plays to 18.
East Stroudsburg boosted its lead to 10-0 on its first series of the third quarter, taking advantage of a failed 4th-and-2 fake punt and taking over at the EUP 41. Anthony Carfagno scored six plays later on a one-yard run. The drive was kept alive by a 26-yard completion from Terwilliger to Tim Strenfel.
Edinboro scored its lone points of the game on its next possession, marching 76 yards in just five plays. Andre Burke (Wilkinsburg, PA/Valley) scored his first career touchdown on a five-yard run. The drive was highlighted by pass completions of 46 yards to Ryan Valasek (Natrona Heights, PA/Highlands) and 25 yards to Jeff Dinger (Conneaut, OH/ Conneaut).
In what likely was the key series of the game, East Stroudsburg answered on the very next series. Facing a 3rd-and-18 at the ESU 49, Terwilliger found Strenfel deep down the middle. Strenfel broke a pair of tackles at the 25 to complete a 51-yard scoring play and boost the ESU margin to 17-7.
The Warriors tacked on a 28-yard field goal by Bruabaker with 9:19 left in the game. The score came after Edinboro failed to convert on a 4th-and-2 play from the ESU 41. Edinboro was 0-for-3 on fourth down conversions and just 1 of 8 on third downs. East Stroudsburg, meanwhile, converted 8 of 15 third downs and 1 of 2 fourth downs.
East Stroudsburg finished the afternoon with 465 total yards compared to 314 yards for the Scots. ESU ran off 75 plays to 50 for Edinboro, and had a 37:48 to 22:12 advantage in time of possession.
Terwilliger fell just short of his career high of 380 yards passing, completing 25 of 38 passes for 371 yards. Strenfel set career highs with 10 receptions for 173 yards, while Evan Prall added 8 catches for a career-high 114 yards. Derek Lucas added 81 yards rushing on 26 carries.
Bouch completed 17 of 29 passes for 230 yards, but was guilty of a pair of interceptions. Justin Lipscomb (Roaming Shores, OH/Grand Valley) had 5 catches for 77 yards, while Dinger matched his career total with 4 receptions for 44 yards. Burke had 78 yards rushing on 13 carries, but the Scots gained just 84 yards on the ground. Fragale recorded a career-high 13 tackles to lead the defensive effort.
Edinboro returns to action next Saturday, September 11, hosting WVU Tech.
~ Fighting Scots ~
Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index
Created on ... September 4, 2004