Last quarter heroics not enough, Tigers football fall 16 – 13
The Dalhousie Football Club was unable to make up for early mistakes and lost 16 – 13 against the Holland College Hurricanes last Saturday in Charlottetown.
Despite a breakout game for receiver Steve Fox, which had 161 yards receiving, and both running backs Greg Pelly and Ting-Lie Hseigh dashing for over 100 yards, the Tigers were unable to capitalize.
Dal has opened the season with a 0 – 2 record. Holland College is 2 – 0.
The Tigers defence set the tone for the game early; with three three-and-outs in the first quarter they gave their offence plenty of opportunity to add points with great field position.
Starting quarterback Brendan Festeryga was unable to get going and in the second quarter backup Scott Seamone took over. Seamone found some success moving the chains, picking out Fox with a number of short passes and using Hseigh to pound the ball up the middle, yet they could not get on the board.
The Hurricanes came closest to adding points when a field goal attempt by kicker Phil Lanthier ricocheted off the uprights, missing by mere inches. The teams went into the half with no score.
In the third quarter the Tigers sent Festeryga back in, but it was the Hurricanes who would strike first courtesy of a safety conceded by the Tigers when they were pinned deep in their own end.
A tightly fought third frame left the score at 2 – 0 for the home team, setting up a thrilling final quarter.
Pelly opened with a 55-yard run and Dal continued with a 10-yard run by Hseigh and a pair of throws to Fox; but with the ball on the Hurricanes 25-yard line and needing just two yards to get a first down, Festeryga’s pass was picked off.
It proved to be a costly turnover. On the next play, Hurricanes pivot Nick Hunsley found running back Dave Clarke down the field for a 70-yard touchdown reception. Lanthier added the extra point and the Hurricanes had a 9 – 0 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The first touchdown opened the floodgates. Festeryga, back in play, found Fox three times for 45 yards and the Tigers capped the drive when the quarterback ran for the one-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed and Dal trailed 9 – 6.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the momentum swung back to the home side when Demetrius Ferguson returned the kickoff all the way for a Hurricanes touchdown. Lanthier added the single, making the score 16 – 6.
With just three minutes remaining, Festeryga found receiver Brock Schmuland deep down field, and after a cavalcade of penalties against the Hurricanes, the Tigers found themselves back on the one-yard line and this time it was Pelly’s turn to drive the ball across the line.
The Hurricanes had the 16 – 13 edge, but were stopped on the next drive by a resilient Tigers defence and the ball was put back into Festeryga’s hand for their final possession.
A last-minute drive down the field put the Tigers within striking distance, but a desperation throw was picked off as time expired.
Despite the defeat, the Tigers will find positives in a much improved performance by their offensive line and a strong defensive showing.
“A lot better, but still a loss. As Mike Tomlin said after the Super Bowl loss, there are no moral victories. We played a little better but we didn’t play well enough to win,” said head coach Mike Tanner.
Tanner highlighted his team’s defensive effort in the low-scoring affair. “Our defence played well in both games and should be lauded for their effort. They did their job but we lost the game in other areas. They gave up just six points, and in this league you should be able to win with that kind of effort.”
The Tigers return to Wickwire Saturday, Oct. 1 when they face the practice roster of the Acadia Axemen in a midseason exhibition at 6 p.m. Fans and alumni are invited to attend the first annual Lobster Tailgate Party at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and $30 for general admission.
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