ANDERSON, Ind. —
After stumbling on offense early, Taylor University scored 14 points in each of the last three quarters to defeat Anderson University in their annual rivarly game for the Wagon Wheel trophy 42-20.
“This is definitely a game to build on,” said Taylor head coach Ron Kurfmacher.
“(Taylor) is obviously a good football team,” said Anderson head coach Jeff Judge. “I’m not disappointed in our effort, but I’m disappointed in our execution.”
After the first quarter went by with neither team scoring and both struggling to find a consistent rhythm, Taylor opened the second quarter by finishing an 11-play, 93-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run by Taylor Johnson.
Johnson ended the game with 122 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns.
Kurfmacher noted that Johnson and his receivers, Ryan Magnuson and Trento Schmale, were key performers in the game.
Magnuson had seven receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Schmale had seven catches for 160 yards and one touchdown.
Taylor and Anderson each added a score of their own before the half to make the score 14-6.
This game was all truly about the passing attack of the Ravens and Trojans, who combined to throw a total of 91 passes in the game.
Taylor’s Shaun Addison set a school record for passing yards with 418. He went 19-for-31 with three touchdowns.
“He had his moments, got big chunks of yards and made some big plays,” said Korfmacher.
Mitch Grider for the Ravens also was able to put up big numbers in the game with 358 yards passing and three touchdowns completing 31 of 55 attempts.
The passing yards were a career high for Grider.
Ravens receiver Nic Jackson set a career high of his own with 172 receiving yards on seven catches with one touchdown.
Missed opportunities seemed to be the theme for the Ravens, even with all the big yardage totals by the end of the game.
“We did miss a lot of opportunities,” said Judge. “I think it’s just the inexperience of 11 guys playing together on offense. I think we’ll be much better next week.”
An attempted halfback pass was overthrown to Jackson, who was open by at least 20 yards on the play and numerous interception chances went through the hands of the Ravens’ defenders early.
Later in the game, Anthony Mann would complete another attempt at a halfback pass for 44 yards to Jackson.
Shane Peacock and Tyler Akers each caught a touchdown pass of their own in the third quarter to keep Anderson close.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, AU trailed 20-28, but Taylor added two rushing touchdowns by Johnson and Addison to put the game out of reach early in the fourth.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Anderson linebacker Jarred Johnson forces Taylor's Travis Spitnale out of bounds as the Ravens opened their season against the Trojans at Macholtz Stadium on Thursday. Don Knight
-
Anderson defensive lineman Vincent Parmer eyes Taylor's quaterback as he is blocked by Jacob Cooper (55) and Justin Harvey (70) as the Ravens opened their season against the Trojans at Macholtz Stadium on Thursday. Don Knight
Discussion
Wagon Wheel woes
Taylor claims prize for third straight year against AU
- Local Sports
-
-
Bearcats upend AHS
Often basketball is a simple game, and it was certainly true for the Anderson boys basketball team here Thursday night. “We had too many turnovers — that’s the game,” said AHS coach Joe Nadaline after the Indians lost to Muncie Central 54-46 for their eighth straight defeat.
-
Bulldogs topple Raiders, win 9th in a row
The Bulldogs keep on rolling. Lapel (16-3) led from start to finish as it beat visiting Shenandoah 69-47 Thursday night to push its winning streak to nine games.
-
PHHS shoots down Fishers
It can be easy to take Kellen Dunham for granted. But the Pendleton Heights senior reminded everyone why he is a Mr. Basketball candidate with a furious fourth quarter Thursday night against Fishers. Dunham scored 15 of his game-high 32 points in the final eight minutes, connected on all 10 of his free-throw attempts during the period and drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key early in the frame that sent the fifth-ranked Arabians on their way to a 53-42 victory.
-
Frankton subdues Liberty
Youth was on display Thursday night in Frankton as the host Eagles squared off against the Liberty Christian Lions boys basketball team. Neither team had a senior start the game, and Frankton proved to be the more seasoned team in a 68-59 win.
-
Indians fall to Bearcats 54-46
Photos from Anderson as the Indians hosted the Muncie Central Bearcats.
-
Five for fighting
Like other coaches, Alexandria wrestling coach Jack Grimaldi sometimes has to worry about how to motivate his charges as they head into their matches. That shouldn’t be an issue for him with his five Tigers heading into Saturday’s individual semistate at New Castle.
-
Red-hot Lapel limiting miscues
Like any basketball coach, Jimmie Howell knows how important it is for a team to be playing its best basketball as the state tournament draws near.
But what’s going on in Lapel might be redefining that theory.
With a 60-42 win on the road over Class 3A No. 6 Guerin Catholic on Saturday, the Bulldogs pushed their winning streak to eight games. Over the 32-minute course of the game against the Golden Eagles, Lapel committed a microscopic four turnovers. -
PH moves on
On the roster of every successful team is a player or two who will do the unpleasant work. The ones who actually find satisfaction in this pursuit are worth their weight in wins to any coach. Pendleton Heights sophomore Kiawna Cottrell was just that player Tuesday as the Arabians advanced to the second round of sectional play with a 55-45 victory over Greenfield-Central.
-
Indians slay Spartans
The last time these two girls basketball teams met on Jan. 17, Anderson defeated Connersville 83-74 in overtime. Lady Tribe coach Chad Cook knew the Spartans would come out with a chip on their shoulder ready for revenge in Tuesday’s opening round of the Class 4A sectional.
-
Eagles eke by Raiders
Back in November, the Frankton girls basketball team handled Shenandoah by 29 points. Tuesday’s sectional opener at Shenandoah wasn’t as easy, but the end result was the same as Frankton moved on with a 44-43 win over the host Shenandoah Raiders.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
