TIGERS SHOOT DOWN BULLETS, 59-16, TO IMPROVE TO 2-0 ON SEASON

Game Box Score

              GETTYSBURG , PA —Hampden-Sydney's 16^th-ranked football team downed the Gettysburg College Bullets, 59-16, Saturday to give the Tigers their second victory of the 2004 season.  The 59 points rate as the most ever scored by the Tigers against Gettysburg (0-2) in 17 meetings, as Hampden-Sydney surpassed the half-century mark in scoring for the sixth time in its last nine games dating back to 2003.

The Tigers racked up 480 yards on offense, including nearly 330 yards and 38 points in the first half alone, as Marty Favret’s offense ran roughshod over the Gettysburg squad.  Defensively, Hampden-Sydney held the Bullets to just 188 yards, including only 83 yards in the first half, and harassed Gettysburg quarterback Mark Campo with six sacks as James Riley ( Richmond , VA /James River) and Michael Clark ( Madison Heights , VA / Amherst ) each recorded two. 

Hampden-Sydney's first scoring drive culminated in a 22 yard pass from wide out Nick Ferrante (Bryantown, MD/Gonzaga) to senior receiver Jose Ramos (Virginia Beach, VA/Ocean Lakes) midway through the first quarter.  After the two teams traded field goals, Ferrante scored the Tigers second TD of the game on a 15-yard pass from Ricca.

Ricca connected with junior tight end Ben Dull ( Roanoke , VA /Cave Spring) from 17 yards out for his second touchdown pass with just under 13 minutes to play in the second quarter.  Tiger linebacker Ty LaFlame ( Mechanicsville , VA /Atlee) then got into the scoring act moments later as he picked up a loose ball and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown to put Hampden-Sydney ahead, 31-3.

Gettysburg's lone first half TD came on the ensuing kickoff as Grant Acker took a fumble recovery 62 yards for the score to make it 31-9.  Junior running back Johnny Junes (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) then finished the first half scoring for H-SC with a four-yard scamper with 1:25 to go in the half, making it 38-9.

Gettysburg opened the second half with a seven-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a fumble at the goal line resulting in a touchdown for the Bullets when offensive lineman Brandon Smith recovered the loose ball in the endzone.

Leading 38-16, the Tigers came right back with a 16-play, 75-yard drive of their own that culminated with Ferrante scoring his second TD of the game on a five yard run.  Minutes later, senior back CW Clemmons ( Covington , VA /Alleghany) put the Tigers up, 52-16, on a four-yard touchdown run between the tackles.

Sophomore running back Charlie Omick ( Lawrenceville , VA / Brunswick Academy) tacked on his first collegiate touchdown with 3:09 left in the game on an eight-yard scamper that wrapped up scoring for both squads.

JD Ricca completed 12-of-24 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while Ferrante finished with 75 yards receiving on three catches to go with his two touchdowns.  CW Clemmons finished as the games leading rusher with 90 yards on 19 carries and a score.  Dusty Green paced the Bullets with 69 yards on the ground on 22 carries, while quarterback Mark Campo completed 9-of-15 passes for 96 yards.

James Riley and Ty LaFlame led the Tigers with seven tackles each as Riley finished with two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a batted pass.  Nathan Smith and Grant Acker each recorded seven tackles for the Bullets.

Hampden-Sydney takes next week off but will return to action Saturday, September 25, at 1 pm at Hundley Stadium/Fulton Field as the Tigers host Old Dominion Athletic Conference-foe Guilford College .