DePauw Holds off Bears for Season's First Victory
DePauw freshman quarterback Justin Murray threw for 213 yards to 11 different receivers and rushed for a touchdown as the Tigers picked up their first win of the season with a 17-14 victory over Washington (Mo.) University. The win was the first for DePauw interim head coach Scott Srnka as the Tigers improved to 1-3. The Bears dropped to 1-4 with the loss.
Murray put the Tigers ahead, 7-0, as his 2-yard run with 1:27 left in the first capped an 11-play, 90-yard drive.
The Bears knotted the score in the second as Tim Bartholomew scored on a 38-yard pass from Dan Burkett with 6:10 remaining.
DePauw responded, however, as Taylor Wagner returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards to the Washington 43. Eight plays later, Armani Cato scored on a 3-yard run to give the Tigers a 14-7 advantage with 2:17 left in the half.
The Bears were driving near the end of the half, but DePauw's Adam Folta picked off Bears' backup signal caller John O'Connor at the Tigers' 6 with 31 seconds left in the half.
Eric Malm tacked on a 32-yard field goal at the end of DePauw's first possession of the second half to push the lead to 17-7.
The Bears' Andrew Skalman picked off Murray later in the third, but Washington's drive stalled at the DePauw 11 and Eric Chalifour missed on a 27-yard field goal try.
Early in the fourth, Washington drove to the DePauw 34, but Clark Costello intercepted O'Connor at the 14. The Tigers were unable to gain a first down and the Bears blocked Paul Simon's punt and recovered at the Tigers' 39.
O'Connor then teamed with Drew Sexton for a 38-yard scoring play to cut DePauw's lead to 17-14 with 11:25 left.
DePauw used up nearly nine minutes of clock time with a 17-play drive in which it converted two third down plays and a pair on fourth down. Malm missed a 44-yard field goal attempt, but the Bears took over with just 2:25 remaining.
The Tigers' J.D. Robinson came up with DePauw's third interception with 1:32 remaining and, after the Tigers were forced to punt, the Bears advanced to their own 26 before the clock expired.
The Bears outgained DePauw, 318-277, but the Tigers possessed the ball for 35:45.
Murray completed 22 of 31 passes for 213 yards with five each going to Nikko Sansone and Jackson Kirtley. Andrew Cusamano rushed for a team-high 31 yards.
Burkett completed 9 of 13 for 120 yards and a score, while O'Connor was 9 of 20 for 123 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Drew Sexton hauled in seven catches for 121 yards.
Defensively, Simon and Cody Crook each totaled seven tackles for the Tigers. Crook and Michael McManis each had one sack.
Cody Deterding and Fade Oluokun each totaled 11 stops for the Bears.
DePauw's Simon averaged 45.0 yards on five punts and his second boot of 75 yards broke the Tigers' school record of 70 yards held by Dick Mace against Valparaiso on October 10, 1959.
The Tigers return to North Coast Athletic Conference action when they host Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 6. The Bears host Wabash on October 13.
