GAME STATS

ASHLAND, OH—Quarterback Taylor Housewright threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns to lead Ashland University to a 24-14 win over Bloomsburg University Saturday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.

The Huskies opened the game's scoring in the first period on its first possession of the season. After the Bloomsburg defense forced a three and out for the Eagles on the game's opening drive, the Huskies took over at the Ashland 40 yard line and moved 25 yards in seven plays. On the drive quarterback Pat Carey (Loyalsock, Loyalsock Twp.) completed his first collegiate pass for 18 yards to Matt Marchioni (Wilmington, DE, Brandywine)to keep the drive alive. When the drive stalled, Dan Fisher (Harrisburg, Central Dauphin)connected on a 32-yard field goal try for a 3-0 lead.

Ashland tied the score on its next possession moving to the Huskies 17-yard line before settling for a 34-yard field goal from Gregg Berkshire.

The Eagles took the lead for good in the game in the second quater with the help of its special teams. After pinning the Huskies deep in their own territory, Ashland blocked Bloomsburg's punt from inside the five yard line with Anthony Capasso recovering the end zone for a touchdown giving the home team a 10-3 lead.

Bloomsburg got three points back late in the second period after marching from its own 32 yard line to the Ashland 21 yard line before settling for a 38-yard field goal from Fisher.

Ashland extended its lead to 17-6 with the help of a big play from Housewright. After the Eagles were pinned back inside its five-yard line following a Huskies punt, Housewright hit Joe Horn with a 96-yard touchdown pass to put the Huskies in a deep hole.

The Huskies cut into the Ashland lead in the fourth period putting together a 13-play, 90-yard drive. Freshmen tailback Franklyn Quiteh (Tobyhanna, Pocono Mountain West) carried seven times for 40 yards on the drive, including the final five yards for the score. Quiteh then added a two-point running conversion to make it a 17-14 game with 3:33 to go.

On Ashland's first play on the ensuing drive, Housewright ran 53 yards on the first play putting the ball at the Huskies 14 yard line and effectively ending any chance for a Bloomsburg comeback. Housewright capped off the day later in the drive hitting Mike Knueven with a five-yard scoring pass.

Housewright finished 16-26 for 248 yards and no interceptions, while also rushing four times for 65 yards. For Bloomsburg, Quiteh carried 35 times for 140 yards and one score, while Pat Carey (Williamsport/Loyalsock Twp.) was 14-28 with two interceptions for 150 yards. Defensively Mike Varanavage (Philadelphia, Archbishop Ryan) made 10 tackles to lead the Huskies.

Bloomsburg,0-1, will host Clarion on Sept.11 at 1 p.m. at Redman Stadium.