CASE 29, OBERLIN 23 OT...
CLEVELAND, OH (September 2, 2006) -
Case Western Reserve University freshman quarterback Dan Whalen (Willoughby, OH) - pictured capped off a five play, 25-yard drive in the first overtime by leaping over a pile of Oberlin College defenders at the one-yard line to give Case a season opening 29-23 victory at Case Field.
“I thought I would get in a series or two, but never thought I would be in when the game was on the line,” said Whalen. “I’m glad the coaches believed in me.”
The rookie quarterback made his collegiate debut in the second half. Whalen completed 13-of-20 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns in 30 minutes work. He found senior wide receiver Joe Brenner (Lititz, PA) from nine yards out with 6:35 left in the game and Brenner again on the conversion to bring the game to within three, 23-20. The Case defense then held the Yeomen. Spartan sophomore kicker Brain Calderone (Broadview Hts., OH) then finished off a 13 play, 71-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal with just 21 seconds left in regulation to push the game into overtime.
“It was a strange game for the defense,” said Case Head Coach Greg Debeljak. “They gave up a number of big plays and could’ve folded many of times, but they didn’t and when they had to play, they did.”
Case senior linebackers Tom Brew (Mentor, OH) and Nick Decesare (Westlake, OH) led the defense with 13 and 11 tackles, respectively. Junior defensive back Scott Madden (North Olmsted, OH) had one interception and blocked Oberlin’s field goal attempt in overtime.
Oberlin dominated the first quarter as they took a 10-0 lead. The Spartans battled back with two field goals in the second quarter to bring it within four (10-6) at the half. Calderone connected from 20 and 29 yards out in the second quarter, finishing the game three-for-three.
Freshman Tim Cowdrick (Mentor, OH) led all Case receivers with seven catches for 121 yards and senior running back James Rosenbury (Draper, UT) ran the ball 14 times for 41 yards.
The Spartans travel to Denison University this Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. game.
Box Score
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