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August 28, 2010
Truman Kicks Off Nesbitt Era with 23-13 Victory
RENSSELAER, Ind. (TSU Media Relations) – Harnish Ayora's two, one-yard touchdown runs sandwiched a Caleb Roberts fumble recovery in the endzone as the Truman Bulldog football team notched the first win of the season against St. Joseph's College (Ind.) 23-13 on Saturday afternoon in Rensselaer, Ind.
All three Bulldog scores came on consecutive possessions in
the first half as Truman raced out to a 20-0 lead before hanging on
for Head Coach Gregg Nesbitt's first collegiate coaching
victory for the purple and while.
The Bulldog offense rolled in the first half as Ayora, who
finished with 95 yards on 25 carries and quarterback Phil Davis
(8-of-15; 130 yards) accounted 199 of the 'Dogs 267 first
half yards.
Ayora scored from a yard out at the 8:13 mark in the first
quarter and following a surprise onsides kick, Roberts recovered
Anton Bernard's fumble in the endzone for a 13-0 lead.
Ayora capped off the third straight possession with another
one yard score on the first play of the second quarter.
Davis and the Bulldog offense were sidelined in the second
half as the defense was able to preserve the victory with key stops
and seven sacks.
Truman's defense grounded St. Joseph's rushing
attack as the Bulldogs kept the Pumas leading rusher Jashon Banks
to just 32 yards on seven carriers. Combined with the sack
yardage, Truman held the Pumas to a minus seven yards on the
ground.
Derek Koon added a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter as
the Bulldogs capitalized on a poor eight yard punt that set up good
field position for Truman.
Two turnovers by the Bulldogs in the second half gave the
Pumas life. However, Dennis Walls and Terrance Byrd were able
to break up pass attempts by quarterback Mike Hladlik (21-of-39;
238 yards) on fourth down plays.
Truman finished with 324 yards of total offense while St.
Joseph's netted just 231 on the day.
The Bulldogs will open the 2010 home season next Saturday
night against Southwest Baptist University at 7:00 p.m. in
Kirksville.
