Football Southern Conference

Wofford's Run Ends In National Semifinals

The Wofford football team saw its Cinderella season come to a close Saturday afternoon as it fell, 24-9, to the Delaware Blue Hens in front of a national television audience watching on ESPN2. The Terriers, making their first-ever appearance on the network, close the season with a school-record 12 victories and a 12-2 mark, while Delaware advances to the National Championship with a 14-1 record.

After watching Delaware take an early 3-0 lead on a 22-yard field goal by Brad Shushman on its first drive, Wofford's defense hung tough the remainder of the half. While the offense struggled at times to move the ball, the Terriers limited big plays by the Blue Hens' quarterback Andy Hall and running back Germaine Bennett. Inside linebacker Josh Smith intercepted a tipped pass for the game's first turnover with 3:46 remaining in the first quarter and marked Hall's first interception in 129 consecutive attempts.

At one point in the second quarter, Delaware had an 18-play, 66-yard drive capturing 8:51 off the clock stalled by the Terriers. After stopping the Blue Hens on a 3rd-and-four, Wofford forced a field goal attempt, which Shushman missed left.

Wofford responded when junior quarterback Trey Rodgers entered the game for starter Jeff Zolman at the 6:44 mark of the second quarter. Rodgers led a long, sustained drive for the Terriers. As time was winding down, field possession became increasingly important. With four ticks left before halftime, Nick Robinson converted a career-long 40-yard field goal to knot the score at 3-3 as the teams entered the locker rooms.

In the second half, the Blue Hen offense continued to wear down Wofford's defense. Delaware took advantage of an average starting field position of its own 37 compared with the Terriers starting at their own 19. Wofford All-Southern Conference punter Jimmy Miner kept the Blue Hens pinned in their own territory much of the afternoon with six punts averaging 46.3 yards.

Bennett scored his first of three touchdowns on the day at the 3:42 mark of the third quarter on a 2-yard run before adding insurance scores in the fourth frame, at 6:41 and 2:42, on five and 15-yard scampers, respectively.

Junior Brian Rice capped the game's scoring with a 5-yard grab from Rodgers as time expired to give the Terriers their lone touchdown of the day. Rice finished with two catches for 16 yards, while fellow receiver Shiel Wood led the squad with three receptions for 27 yards.

"We faced an outstanding team," said head coach Mike Ayers. "They are very well coached and play hard. We had some opportunities. When you play against a great team like that, you won't get many. We just didn't capitalize.

"We competed hard. That last drive was an example of how our kids kept battling. All season long we've played great defense. We just got a little worn down today, but kept battling. These guys are a lot like us. They play great defense and control the clock. This will be a great teaching tape for us as coaches and players.

"We had a great season. Somedays you just are not good enough. We hope to be back next year."

Rodgers finished the day 7-of-14 passing for 65 yards. Southern Conference Freshman of the Year fullback Kevious Johnson finished with 49 yards on 13 carries to finish with a team-best 823 on the season.

Lee Basinger paced the Terrier defense with 12 tackles, while conference defensive player of the year, Matt Nelson, and Craig Thomas each posted nine.

The Terriers will return to the gridiron in 2004 with 17 of 22 starters returning, including nine on defense and eight on offense. Only nine players from this season's team will not return next year.