September 14, 2002 - Kalamazoo College at Wabash College
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. - In what may have been the longest football game
in Kalamazoo College history, nationally-ranked Wabash came from behind
to defeat Kalamazoo 27-20.
The game lasted nearly five hours and fifteen minutes due to two separate
weather delays (lightning) totalling two hours and fifteen minutes. The
first delay took place with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter with
Kalamazoo holding a 7-0 advantage following a touchdown pass from Bryan
Gnyp to Andy Graham. Play resumed an hour later, however only four minutes
ran off the clock before the second delay went into effect. The teams came
back to the field over an hour later, and Kalamazoo scored quickly with
another touchdown pass from Gnyp to Graham to increase the lead to 14-0.
Wabash then scored three touchdowns around two Kalamazoo field goals by Gavin Mooney (39, 31) to tie the score at 20-20 with 3:58 left in the game. The teams battled for field position with Wabash eventually scoring on a one-yard run with 30 seconds left in the game. Three incomplete passes and an interception as time expired spoiled Kalamazoo's chances for a comeback.
Wabash had 427 yards of total offense to Kalamazoo's 256 yards.
Bryan Gnyp was 20-of-41 passing for 230 yards with two touchdowns, but was sacked six times.
Andy Graham led the Hornets with eight catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns. T.J. Thayer had 69 receiving yards on seven catches and now needs just 26 yards to set the all-time receiving record at Kalamazoo College. Ben Farkas and Zach Ellis each had two receptions.
Dwight White had 16 carries for 40 yards. Matthew Jarboe ran four times for 17 yards.
Dan Derksen led the defense with 11 tackles, including two and a half for lost yardage. He also had one of Kalamazoo's five quarterback sacks. Jeremy Vanisacker, Kyle Bainbridge, Brett Foster, and John Krajacic each had a sack in the game. Conor Lefere had two interceptions to incrase his three-year career total to eight. Adam Richardson added 10 tackles in the secondary.
Kalamazoo (0-1) travels to Kenyon College next Saturday.
