Grove City 37, Bethany 20


September 26, 1998--Another week, another record.

One week after setting a new Grove City single-game rushing record with 264 yards, sophomore fullback R.J. Bowers (West Middlesex, PA/West Middlesex) eclipsed that with a 292-yard performance as the Wolverines downed homestanding Bethany 37-20 in both teams’ Presidents’ Athletic Conference opener.  The 292 yards tied the PAC record, set by Bethany's Ernie Whitted in 1969.

"Just another fantastic effort by R.J.," said Wolverine head coach Chris Smith.   "His intensity paid off in a big way.  A 292-yard day in 90-degree heat is extraordinary.  He didn't have any let-up in him today."

Bowers scored on runs of 2, 32, 64 and 2 yards, while tying the GCC record for carries in one game with 37. Sophomore quarterback Steve Lacinski (New Kensington, PA/Valley) gained 63 yards rushing, while senior halfback Aaron Kaiser (Cortland, OH/Lakeview) added a 37-yard touchdown jaunt. The Wolverines rolled up 471 yards rushing and 491 in total offense.

Coach Smith added, "We ran the option well and were able to use seven different ball carriers.  I give our offensive line a lot of credit, too.  They definitely put in a full day." 

Grove City’s ground attack helped them hold a 34:33-25:27 advantage in time of possession. The Wolverines converted 8 of 13 third down situations, and picked up 17 first downs in the game.

Grove City led 9-7 after the first quarter, 23-13 at halftime and 30-20 after three.

Sophomore place-kicker Ben Shreve (Union City, PA/Union City) converted 4-of-4 extra points and added a 25-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

Senior inside linebacker Casey Creehan (Belle Mead, NJ/Vermillion, SD) registered 1.5 sacks and seven tackles. Freshman free safety Mike Kashurba (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe) intercepted a pair of Bison passes, his second and third picks of the season.

The win evened Grove City’s overall record at 2-2.

The Wolverines return to Thorn Field next Saturday for a homecoming encounter with Thiel (1-2).  The clash for the Mercer County Cup kicks off at 1:30 p.m. 

GROVE CITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK vs. BETHANY

Final Score
Grove City 37, Bethany 20

OFFENSIVE: R.J. Bowers (West Middlesex, PA/West Middlesex) ... sophomore fullback ...  6-1, 230 ... erased his own single-game school rushing record (set seven days earlier) and tied the PAC standard with 292 yards on 37 carries ... Coach Smith, "R.J. had several runs Saturday that were as good as I have ever seen.  He is really catching everyone's attention."

DEFENSIVE: Burt Romanoff (Washington, PA/Trinity) ... junior linebacker ...  6-2, 230 ... registered nine tackles, including four solos ... Coach Smith, "Burt worked extremely hard all week to be ready for this game.  That work really paid off because he played his best game of the season."

SPECIAL TEAMS: Drew Hoagland (Butler, PA/Knoch) ... freshman ... 6-1, 230 ... Adam Booth (North Canton, OH/Uniontown Lake) ... junior ... 5-7, 155.


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