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Printer-Friendly ModeCards run away from Wolves
Walker, Hayes help Cardinals bounce back after Grand Valley loss to down Northwood
September 21, 2009 —
The true character of a team usually can be identified after a tough loss. If that is the case, the Cardinals football team is in good shape.
A week removed from a 38-7 drubbing to Grand Valley, the Cardinals returned home to square off against crosstown rival Northwood.
The combination of returning home and playing against a quality opponent were all the Cards needed as they knocked off the Timberwolves, 32-27. The win also retained the Axe Bowl trophy that the Cardinals and Timberwolves play for every year.
With the home crowd on their side for the first time this season, the Cardinals scored a season high five rushing touchdowns. Senior offensive lineman Jerry Wichman wasn’t surprised with the way the Cardinals responded after the Grand Valley loss.
“It was definitely a disappointing loss to Grand Valley, especially because we had such high expectations going into the game. Even though it was a tough loss, we knew if we didn’t come out ready to play against Northwood, it would be a long day.” Wichman said.
It seemed as if the Cardinals were still reeling from the loss to Grand Valley when the Timberwolves took the opening kickoff and drove 63 yards in five plays, capped off by a 34- yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead.
The Cardinals responded when junior running back Xavier Walker scored his first of three touchdowns to tie the game at 7-7.
The Cards would again face an uphill battle, as Northwood ran the ball from one yard out to take a 14-7 lead. Another touchdown run by Walker and sophomore running back Brandon Hayes gave the Cardinals a 20-14 lead.
With only six seconds to play in the second quarter, the Timberwolves had time for one last play before halftime. From the Cardinals 28 yard line, Northwood senior quarterback Spencer Klukowski completed an improbable touchdown pass with no time remaining, giving the Timberwolves a 21-20 halftime lead. It was a play that had potential to devastate a team, but the Cardinals put it behind them at halftime.
“Throughout a season, plays like that are going to happen. The good teams are the ones that can put stuff like that behind them as soon as possible. We went into the half down by one and we knew if we came out ready to play in the second half, we could get right back in the game.” Wichman said.
After a Northwood fumble deep inside their own territory, the Cardinals recovered and after two plays, they regained the lead when Hayes scored his second touchdown.
For the third time the Timberwolves regained the lead after a two-yard touchdown run, making the score 27-26 heading into the fourth quarter.
Walker capped the scoring for the game with his third touchdown with five and a half minutes to go in the game, which also propelled him to be named the player of the game.
After not being able to move the ball against Grand Valley, the Cardinals went into the Northwood game with the intentions of running the ball, Wichman said.
“We definitely wanted to get back to doing what we do best, and that’s running the ball.” Wichman said. “The game plan was to try and keep the ball on the ground as much as we could, and luckily for us, we were successful at doing that.”
While the Cardinals gear up to travel to Indianapolis to complete the road-heavy early portion of the schedule, Wichman thinks if the Cardinals can continue to run the ball the way they did against Northwood, they’ll be in good shape.
“Anytime you can keep the ball on the ground and control the clock, you’ll have a chance at the end of any game.” Wichman said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Indianapolis. The Cardinals return home October 3 for their homecoming matchup against Northern Michigan.