The Collegian

Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: John Thompson Touch-down: Senior Derek Nelson snagged a 23-yard pass to put the Chargers ahead by 39 in the second quarter.

The Charger football team awoke Saturday morning focused and relishing the fact they would play their season opener on a sunny day at home with rows of fans cheering them to victory.

Little did they realize just how much their focus would pay off when they hit the field. They pummeled Gannon University and set a high score not surpassed since 1968.
The 59-3 triumph over Gannon was nine points short of the record set in the 1968 game where the Chargers beat Northwood University 68-25. The 56-point difference has not been spanned since 1969 when the Chargers overcame Winona State with a 56-0 win.

"Even starting at the pre-game dinner the team's attitude was one of focus," head coach Keith Otterbein said. "A coach said to me 'Is it just me or are these guys locked in' and they were really ready to play."

Though Gannon led with an interception that awarded them a field goal, the Chargers capitalized on later Gannon mistakes and continued to unravel the team's confidence.

"Any time you can get a team down like that they start to fade," co-captain and senior Mark Nicolet said.

Otterbein said even at half-time, when the team was up 42-3, the players were as focused as ever and not willing to slack off.

"We were really excited to get the season underway and unloaded all that excitement against Gannon," co-captain Tom Korte, a junior, said. "We set the tone early and it snowballed down from there."

By the end of the game, Otterbein said the team was going for fewer running plays so as not to "rub their nose in it."

"Everybody works hard at this and has their up and down times," he said. "So at this point it was about letting them have their pride and [about] smart play selection."

Second string players were able to get some playing time thanks to the drastic lead.

"We have a lot more choices when it comes to who can play and we haven't always had that option," Otterbein said.

Coaches and players alike felt this game set a high standard and positive tone for the rest of the season.

"Right now the guys should ride the high but we can't spend too much time patting ourselves on the back," Otterbein said. "We bounced Gannon around the field pretty good but its time to start preparing for what could come with Northern Michigan University this Saturday."

This week the team transitions to a 3-5 screen against Northern Michigan, which will change their blocks and checks. The game will take place Saturday on Northern Michigan territory at 4 p.m.

"Their quarterback and offensive skill is very good," Otterbein said. "We need to find a way to contain the quarterback and make plays ourselves to win this upcoming game."

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