NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - First-year
Ben Klassen made his first start under center for the Dickinson football team on Saturday afternoon, and made it quite a memorable afternoon as he found
Rocco DiRico for a 22-yard score with less than a minute to go for the 31-28 win over Christopher Newport University at TowneBank Stadium.
- CNU opened the game by using a combination of Connor Barry's arm and Gunner White on the ground to advance down to the DC8. Then, facing third-and-goal Barry found Trey Hayes for a touchdown (Maxx Lawton kick).
- The Devils first drive under Klassen's guidance would last eleven plays with the quarterback finding Cedric Benning III and Bobby Markey to get up to the CNU47. That was when Diante Ball would rush for 32, three and seven on consecutive plays. However, on the final carry Pat Sullivan would jar the rock free and fall on it at the CNU5.
- Fortunately, the Dickinson defense did not allow much to the Captains as Joaquin Acuna and Sam Orzolek threw white for a loss of three. The duo of Brendan Walker and Orzolek kept White contained for a minimum gain, before Keon Eady broke up a pass intended for Kyle Lynch forcing a punt.Â
- Following a pass to DiRico for 24 and an 11 scamper by Klassen to end the first, Dickinson was inside the redzone looking at first-and-ten to begin the frame on the CNU17. A pass to Dane Sorensen moved the ball inside the ten yardline, which set the stage for Ball to run into the endzone to knot the game at 7-7 (Kieran O'Neill kick).
- The ensuing Captains drive used a trio of big plays to the duo of Jordin Lennon and Hayes to move up to the DC1. That was when Barry plunged in to regain a 14-7 edge (Lawton kick).
- Dickinson would have an answer on their next march as Klassen hit Sorensen for 35, before three carries by Benning III along with a solo for Klassen pushed the ball to the CNU38. A 13-yard strike to Bobby Markey put the Devils on the edge of the redzone on the CNU25. Keesean Campbell then finished the drive off with a flourish taking a handoff to the house tying the score back up 14-14 (O'Neill kick).Â
- CNU had their next possession cut short as four plays into it Barry's toss was picked off by James Basilii to setup DC on their own 33 with just under two minutes left. Two plays into the drive Klassen took off on his own for a 24-yard run. The play got even worse for the Captains with 15 yard personal foul added onto the rush putting DC on the CNU25. A reception for Markey on ten yards was followed by an 18-yard TD grab by DiRico giving the Devils the 21-14 halftime lead.Â
- Three straight runs between Ball and Klassen got the Red and White out to the DC40 to begin the frame. Then, Klassen started to move the rock thru the air as he hit Markey for consecutive 11-yard receptions, prior to finding Ball for four and DiRico for 24 up to the CNU14. Unfortunately, two Ball carries, an incomplete pass and a penalty sent the Devils back to the 22. That setup a 39-yard field goal try for O'Neill which he drilled to take a 24-14 advantage more than six minutes into the quarter.
- That seemed to wake the Captains offense up as Barry found Colin Hart for a 50-yard TD (Lawton kick) to cap a five-play drive. Then, following a solid defensive series Barry hooked up with three different receivers to get down inside the ten, before the QB took it in himself on the ground to move CNU ahead 28-24 after three.
- The Captains attempted to stretch their lead out with their opening drive of the period with Barry hitting Hayes, Lennon and White for chunk plays advancing down to the DC2 and staring at fourth-and-goal. That brought Lawton onto the field for a 19-yard kick that he missed to the right giving Dickinson some life with five minutes left.
- Three rushes by Ball and completions to Campbell and Markey left DC looking at third-and-seven on the DC49. Klassen was unable to find Frederik Fjeldseth on that play, but was able to link up with Kellen Boyer for 17 on fourth down to keep the game alive. Passes to Ball and Markey as well as an offensive marker set up fourth-and-two at the CNU26. Once again the rookie showed great poise hitting Boyer again for the first down with just over a minute left. Three straight incompletions had the Red and White looking at their third fourth down of the drive. Klassen stepped up yet again connecting with DiRico down the left sideline for a 22-yard TD (O'Neill kick) making it 31-28 Devils.
- CNU's last gasp was met by staunch defense for the visitors as Domani White and Acuna recorded hurries on Barry and Jeremy Reid broke up a pass intended for Powell to seal up the win.
- Passing - Klassen 21-35, 241yds, 2tds, 0ints
- Rushing - Ball (91yds, 1td), Klassen (72yds)
- Receiving - DiRico (88yds, 2td), Markey (81yds)
- Tackles - Alex Sulin (8), Basilii and Walker (7), John Prochniak (6)
- Passing - Barry 20-32, 261yds, 2tds, 1ints
- Rushing - White (50yds)
- Receiving - Hayes (79yds, 1td), Hart (70yds, 1td)
- Tackles - Martin (10)
- Dickinson (3-2) finally returns to Biddle Field on Saturday afternoon at 1pm for a Centennial Conference showdown with McDaniel College.
