2008 Woodie Awards
Obliterated
Football team destroys struggling Bald Eagles in '05 conference opener
By Mike Mallory
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: Sports
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Not only did the Rock come prepared to play, but the team held the opposition to 48 yards and scored 34 points in the first half on its way to defeating the Lock Haven Bald Eagles, 55-7 under the lights at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
Led by running back Josh Kniess, the Rock gained over 200 yards on the ground against a Bald Eagle team that has allowed an average of 330 total yards a game this season. Kniess, who was completely healthy for the first time since playing through the past two games with a hamstring injury, rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Coach George Mihalik said Kniess gives the team an added confidence booster.
"When he came back, the whole attitude of the team changed," Mihalik said. On the Rock's first offensive play from scrimmage, Kniess ran the ball 66 yards for his first touchdown run with 11:09 remaining in the first quarter.
"Standing there watching that first touchdown run, I said to myself, 'he's back'," Mihalik said.
After the Kniess touchdown, the Rock never looked back.
Forcing Lock Haven to punt after three downs on each of its next two drives, the Rock's Clinton Forsha forced a fumble at the Bald Eagle's own 15-yard line and ran to the end zone to give the Rock a 14-0 first quarter lead. Lock Haven fumbled three times in the game, two of which went for turnovers.
"It was nice to see that kind of defensive pressure," Mihalik said.
Capping off an eight play drive which began on the Rock's own 28-yard line, Kniess rushed for his second touchdown of the night with an eight-yard scamper at the 13:40 mark of the second quarter.
Forcing Lock Haven to three downs and out for the third straight possession, the Rock started the next drive on its 24-yard line. After three rushing plays totaling 18 yards, quarterback Nate Crookshank threw a 37-yard strike to tight end Frank Cremonese. Crookshank threw for 146 yards with a touchdown pass in the game.
