STILL GOING R.J. Bowers extended his streak of 100-yard games to 25 with his 13th career 200-yard game.  Both marks are NCAA Division III records.

Wolverines Double-Up Alfred, 28-14

Game Stats

ALFRED, NY, October 30, 1999--One week after rushing for 449 yards at Kenyon, Grove City's ground attack amassed 421 yards in a 28-14 win over host Alfred Saturday.

The Wolverines were led by All-American fullback R.J. Bowers (West Middlesex, PA/West Middlesex), who bulled his way to 287 yards on 38 carries.  The junior added a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs to seal the Grove City victory.  Bowers’s performance moved him into third place among Division III’s career rushing leaders with 5,451 yards.  He leads D-III in rushing this season with 1,929 yards.

Sophomore halfback Michael Orlando (Wickliffe, OH/Wickliffe) also posted a pair of touchdown runs.  Both of Orlando’s scores came in the second quarter, in which Grove City erased a 7-0 deficit and held a 14-7 lead at intermission.  Orlando finished with 120 yards on 20 carries.  Saturday marked the third time this season that Orlando has eclipsed the 100-yard mark.

Meanwhile, Grove City’s defense kept Alfred’s ground game from picking up steam.  Last week, Grove City gave up 240 yards to Kenyon’s Anthony Togliatti.  The Saxons gained a total of 53 yards against the Wolverine defense Saturday.  Alfred’s leading rusher, George Eason, gained only 37 yards on 14 carries.  Grove City also recorded three quarterback sacks.  Outside linebackers Tony Kunczewski (Irwin, PA/Penn Trafford) and Burt Romanoff (Washington, PA/Trinity) each had sacks, as did defensive end Josh Broerman (Grove City, PA/Grove City).  Kunczewski also led the team with 12 tackles and added a pair of pass breakups.

The Saxons were primed to tie the contest late in the first half.  Alfred moved the ball 55 yards in only 36 seconds.  However, Mike Kashurba (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe) intercepted a Todd Zandrowicz pass in the end zone, thwarting the drive.

The victory assured the Wolverines of their third straight non-losing season.  That hasn't happened since they posted five straight non-losing seasons between 1974-1978.  The win was Grove City’s second straight at Merrill Field.  Alfred dropped to 5-3 with the loss.

The Wolverine senior class guaranteed itself of a winning four-year record.  Since 1996, the Wolverines are 21-19.  Next week, Grove City closes out the season by hosting Muhlenberg at Thorn Field.  Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm.

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