Football

Football: Denison Pitches Shutout Versus Gallaudet

Mike Barnes rushed for 121 yards in his first start as quarterback as DU blanked Gallaudet 42-0.

Date: Sept. 22, 2007
Location: GRANVILLE

With a great deal of uncertainty surrounding this week's football match-up with Gallaudet, the Denison Big Red answered each and every question the best way they knew how…by moving the chains. Denison scored 28 points in the second quarter and gained 470 yards rushing en route to a 42-0 victory over the Bison at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium.

Prior to kickoff, not only was Denison coming off a defeat to Case Western University, they were making a change at quarterback. Junior cornerback and special teams extraordinaire Mike Barnes would be taking over under center with the intention of giving the DU offense more of an all-purpose threat. Along with the quarterback change, little was known about the Big Red's opponent, Gallaudet.

2007 marks Gallaudet's return to NCAA Division III competition since a 10+ year absence. The Bison stormed out of the gates with a 32-13 victory over St. Vincent (Pa.) in week one but struggled last week in a 48-7 loss to Greensboro College. Gallaudet, the nation's largest institution for the deaf and hard of hearing, is coached by former DU assistant Ed Hottle.

The stage was set, but the first quarter answered little. Denison dominated time of possession in the opening quarter 11 minutes to 4, but two Barnes interceptions in the red zone took away scoring chances from the home team. Despite the early rust on the offense, the DU defense picked up the slack. They held the Bison to 9 plays for -13 yards in the first quarter and forced three consecutive three-and-out's.

With 12:09 left in the second quarter freshman running back Dan Crawford put the first points on the board with a 9-yard run that capped off a 2-play, 68-yard drive which was highlighted by a Crawford 48-yard scamper.

After a stop by the defense and the second of what would be three sacks by DU defensive end Josh Hamperian, the Big Red took over on their own 44 yard line. Six plays later Jon Berg would reach paydirt, closing out a 56-yard drive that took 2:52.

With 3:23 left in the second quarter Barnes and the Big Red offense took over on their own 18-yardline. On the second play from scrimmage Barnes took off around the left end and raced 80-yards for the touchdown. Crawford would tack on another rushing TD with 19 seconds left in the half to give DU a 28-0 lead going into the intermission.

In the second half Crawford would reach the end zone for the third time and would end up leading the team with 14 carries for 139 yards. The game's final touchdown was scored by sophomore Andrew Boemi who rushed 11 times for 57 yards.

Denison out gained the Bison 525-161 while posting 23 first downs.Barnes followed Crawford with 16 carries for 121 yards and Berg just missed going over the century mark with 12 rushes for 95 yards. In the passing department Barnes was 6-of-12 for 55 yards.Nick Thompson and Brandon Taylor both caught three passes for the Big Red.

Gallaudet was led offensively by dynamic quarterback Jason Coleman who scrambled his way to 53 yards rushing off 23 carries. He also completed eight passes for 84 yards with a long play of 34-yards completed to Shawn Shannon in the third quarter.

Denison sophomore punter Caleb McFerren booted a 66-yard punt for the second-straight game. He is averaging 48.3 yards per punt in 2007.

Defensively, DU was led by Hamperian's six tackles and three sacks.Joe Ulrey posted seven tackles and freshman Tyler Lambert notched his first career interception. Gallaudet was led on defense by Rantz Teeters who posted 11 tackles and two interceptions. Calvin Doudt added 10 tackles and two sacks.

This was the first shutout victory by a Denison team since they blanked Hiram 23-0 in 2004. They will return to the field next Saturday when they travel to Meadville, Pa. for a 2 p.m. kickoff with AlleghenyCollege.

See the full game statistics