The Centre College football team showed little rust in beating Trinity last week after an open date. Now the Colonels (5-2) want to take that momentum and finish out the regular season strong, beginning with Saturday’s game at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.
“It was encouraging (last week), but mostly it was encouraging to see us put together a complete game,”¿Centre coach Andy Frye said of the 31-14 win last week. “Because frankly, going into the game, I really never felt other than our first game of the season that we were playing as a team completely in all three phases.
“I felt we played well in all three phases and played aggressively and played without mental errors that were hurting us previously. I was pleased as a coach that we were able to do this against a good team and can we continue to build on it.”
The Kangaroos have struggled to a 2-5 record, with wins over Southwest Assemblies of God and Wayland Baptist. But Frye said there are plenty of reasons not to overlook the Kangaroos.
One, Austin is in the same position as Centre was before the Trinity game, coming off an open week to prepare for a team making a long trip to play a homecoming game.
“”They’ve had two weeks to prepare. They have good coaches at Austin and I expect them to have a good game plan. It’s homecoming and that always charges people up,”¿Frye said. “And third, we’re traveling. Travelling like this can be a distraction. Those things going into it can force a game to be close.”
Plus, Centre had to rally from down three touchdowns to pull out a 42-40 win at Austin two years ago.
“I think Trinity’s probably a better team than Austin, but that’s why you play on Saturdays,”¿Frye said. “Those three variables, it gives them a strong advantage going into it.”
However, Austin is averaging only 17 points and 289 of total offense per game, while giving up 29 points and 400 yards per game.
Sean Sweeney leads Austin with 644 yards rushing ad six touchdowns. Quarterback Noah Jesko is 37 of 74 passing for 389 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. P.J. Fuller leads the team with 19 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns.
“Their (defensive) front is good and active and they play hard. We have to win the special teams. We’ve got to put ourselves in position to win the special teams and make plays with our special teams,”¿Frye said. “If we can do that and play as well mentally (as last week) and with intensity, we hope we should win the game.”
The Colonels are averaging 28 points and 389 yards of offense per game and have turned the ball over just five times this season.
Monte Scotton came back from two sprained ankles to run for 147 yards and a touchdown last week and has 471 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Sophomore quarterback Heath Haden is 106 of 182 passing for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns and has thrown just two interceptions. Jason Ostersman has 25 catches for 413 yards and four scores and Rob Melillo has 24 grabs for 333 yards and two touchdowns.
“Monte being in, he’s a captain and a good running back, and that helps make us better,”¿Frye said. “Heath is a sophomore, but he is starting to play above that. He’s playing with confidence and that always happens with a young quarterback when they can get in a rhythm.:”
Centre’s defense is giving up 22 points and 355 yards game, and has forced 17 turnovers.
Casey Vatter was named Southern Athletic Association defensive player of the week after picking off two passes and recoding three tackles in the win over Trinity. Kicker Jordan Gay captured his third special teams conference player of the week as well.
Erich Vogelsang has 54 tackles and two interceptions, Vater has three interceptions and Devon Freeman has a team-high 4 1/2 sacks and six tackles for loss.
“Defensively, the kids are starting to play better, especially our secondary,”¿Frye said. “We’re young and starting to play with experience. It just took us seven games to get there.”
“It was encouraging (last week), but mostly it was encouraging to see us put together a complete game,”¿Centre coach Andy Frye said of the 31-14 win last week. “Because frankly, going into the game, I really never felt other than our first game of the season that we were playing as a team completely in all three phases.
“I felt we played well in all three phases and played aggressively and played without mental errors that were hurting us previously. I was pleased as a coach that we were able to do this against a good team and can we continue to build on it.”
The Kangaroos have struggled to a 2-5 record, with wins over Southwest Assemblies of God and Wayland Baptist. But Frye said there are plenty of reasons not to overlook the Kangaroos.
One, Austin is in the same position as Centre was before the Trinity game, coming off an open week to prepare for a team making a long trip to play a homecoming game.
“”They’ve had two weeks to prepare. They have good coaches at Austin and I expect them to have a good game plan. It’s homecoming and that always charges people up,”¿Frye said. “And third, we’re traveling. Travelling like this can be a distraction. Those things going into it can force a game to be close.”
Plus, Centre had to rally from down three touchdowns to pull out a 42-40 win at Austin two years ago.
“I think Trinity’s probably a better team than Austin, but that’s why you play on Saturdays,”¿Frye said. “Those three variables, it gives them a strong advantage going into it.”
However, Austin is averaging only 17 points and 289 of total offense per game, while giving up 29 points and 400 yards per game.
Sean Sweeney leads Austin with 644 yards rushing ad six touchdowns. Quarterback Noah Jesko is 37 of 74 passing for 389 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. P.J. Fuller leads the team with 19 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns.
“Their (defensive) front is good and active and they play hard. We have to win the special teams. We’ve got to put ourselves in position to win the special teams and make plays with our special teams,”¿Frye said. “If we can do that and play as well mentally (as last week) and with intensity, we hope we should win the game.”
The Colonels are averaging 28 points and 389 yards of offense per game and have turned the ball over just five times this season.
Monte Scotton came back from two sprained ankles to run for 147 yards and a touchdown last week and has 471 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Sophomore quarterback Heath Haden is 106 of 182 passing for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns and has thrown just two interceptions. Jason Ostersman has 25 catches for 413 yards and four scores and Rob Melillo has 24 grabs for 333 yards and two touchdowns.
“Monte being in, he’s a captain and a good running back, and that helps make us better,”¿Frye said. “Heath is a sophomore, but he is starting to play above that. He’s playing with confidence and that always happens with a young quarterback when they can get in a rhythm.:”
Centre’s defense is giving up 22 points and 355 yards game, and has forced 17 turnovers.
Casey Vatter was named Southern Athletic Association defensive player of the week after picking off two passes and recoding three tackles in the win over Trinity. Kicker Jordan Gay captured his third special teams conference player of the week as well.
Erich Vogelsang has 54 tackles and two interceptions, Vater has three interceptions and Devon Freeman has a team-high 4 1/2 sacks and six tackles for loss.
“Defensively, the kids are starting to play better, especially our secondary,”¿Frye said. “We’re young and starting to play with experience. It just took us seven games to get there.”
