The Quad

Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Sports

Bill Zwaan, Jr. did something on Saturday September 29, for the first time since becoming the starting quarterback for the Golden Rams: take a knee to end a Bloomsburg game.

The quarterback dropped to one knee as time expired and flipped the ball into the air after his club's exhilarating 44-28 victory over division rival Bloomsburg. Mike Washington caught the game ball out of the air, and clutched it to his chest in the minutes following Saturday's victory.

"This one's coming with me to my house," the third year receiver said.

There were several Golden Rams (1-0 PSAC East, 4-1 overall) worthy of taking home Saturday's game ball, but Washington made his case early and he made it often.

All but silenced through the first four games of 2007, Washington opened the scoring in this pivotal showdown between Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference heavyweights.

Zwaan, Jr. fired a rocket screen to Washington along the sidelines and the receiver turned up field and broke several tackles en-route to the endzone, giving the Golden Rams an early 7-0 lead.

"He's the best wideout in the country," Zwaan Jr. said of his number one receiver "There's no doubt about it."

Washington would tack on two more receiving touchdowns and put this one out of reach for the Huskies (0-1, 2-3) for good when he took a hand off from Zwaan Jr. and turned an end-around up field for a 22 yard score, breaking six tackles in the process.

Fifth-year senior tailback Osagie Osunde continued his assault on the Golden Ram record books Saturday, as he broke Brian Penecale's all time scoring record. Osunde became the first player in school history to surpass the 294-point plateau on a 19-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.

"It's a tribute to coach [Bill] Zwaan and the offense he put in, and the line that I've run behind here," Osunde said.

Osunde led all rushers, with 137 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. For the season, the fifth- year senior now has 533 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns.

Zwaan, Jr. rebounded nicely from his disappointing performance in the second half against Shippensburg last week, completing 14 of 22 passing for 278 yards and three touchdowns.

Much of the hype entering this game centered around Bloomsburg's multi-faceted offensive attack, and for the most part, the Golden Rams were able to contain the Huskies.

It was clear from the onset that Jamar Brittingham would have to earn every one of his yards against West Chester. The senior managed just 74 yards rushing on 23 carries, and a meager 2.6 yards per carry average.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools