September 8, 2001 - Kalamazoo College at College of Wooster
WOOSTER, Ohio - The Kalamazoo College football team escaped with a 39-37 win at Wooster in the season opener for both teams this afternoon. Kalamazoo led 26-7 at halftime, then watched the lead slip away in the second half as Wooster scored 30 second-half points to Kalamazoo's 14.
Wooster reached the scoreboard first with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Spraggins to Chris Cabot with 8:17 left in the first quarter. That would be the Scots only lead of the day as Kalamazoo tied the game later in the quarter and pulled ahead in the second quarter.
The Hornets tied the game at 7-7 on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Gnyp to Jason Charnley. The pass was caught inside the five-yardline and Charnley's extra effort led to the score.
Kalamazoo would score early in the second quarter on an 18-yard pass from Gnyp to tight end Zach Burton with 12:59 on the clock. Andy Graham would score on a 26-yard pass from Gnyp with 8:30 left. A fumbled snap led to a failed conversion. Graham would score his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 14-yard pass from Gnyp with 14 seconds left in the half. The Hornets two-point conversion attempt was no good.
Wooster changed the momentum early in the second half, scoring on their opening drive culminating in a 34-yard score from Spraggins to Cabot. Following a successful two-point conversion, Wooster now trailed 26-15. Wooster struck again with 3:23 left in the third quarter on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Spraggins to Darryl Simmons. Following another successful two-point conversion, Wooster now trailed by only three, 26-23.
A 44-yard interception return by Brent Klein set the Hornets up at the Wooster 26 late in the third quarter. Dwight White would eventually score from the three-yard line. The two-point conversion attempt failed.
Wooster would strike again with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter when Gnyp's pass was intercepted by Demar Jackson and returned 35 yards for a touchdown. Wooster then trailed, 32-30.
Kalamazoo responded on its next possession when Justin Gross tip-toed down the sideline on a 34-yard touchdown run to give the Hornets a 39-30 lead with 8:20 left in the game.
A defensive battle ensued and Kalamazoo's defense made a big play with Wooster threating. Kalamazoo's Mark LaCombe stripped the ball from a receiver and Nate Hurst recovered the fumble with 2:52 left in the game. The Hornets ran some time off the clock and punted with 45 seconds left in the game.
Wooster would score on a 56-yard hail mary pass from Spraggins to Darryl Simmons with :02 left on the clock, cutting the Hornet lead to 39-37.
An onside kick bounced out of bounds as time expired and the Hornets emerged with the victory.
The win marked the Hornets first season-opening win since 1998, and the Hornets first victory over Wooster since 1998.
Bryan Gnyp tied a school record with four touchdown passes. The sophomore quarterback finished the day 18-of-30 for 235 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
T.J. Thayer had seven receptions for 99 yards. Andy Graham had six catches for 89 yards and two scores. Jason Charnley and Zach Burton each had touchdown receptions.
Kalamazoo rushed for a combined 190 yards. Dwight White led the way with 115 yards on 12 carries, highlighted by a 53-yard scamper. Justin Gross had 85 yards on 17 carries.
Defensively, Brant Haverdink led the charge with 11 total tackles (8 solo), including three for lost yardage, and two sacks. Brad Zielaskowski had eight tackles, one for loss, and one sack. Brent Klein made seven tackles with an interception. Neil Laws and Brett Foster were each in on quarterback sacks.
Kalamazoo (1-0) will travel to the College of Mount St. Joseph next Saturday.
