Cardinal football came up against Hamilton this weekend having won nine out of the ten past games against the Continentals. The Cards found the way to do it again, squeaking by the Continentals 10-9. The Cardinals are now tied with Bowdoin for fifth place in the NESCAC.
This win over Hamilton was carried on the wings of several Cardinal standouts. In fact, six players managed to break records of their own. For example, Zach Librizzi ’08 led the offense Saturday, throwing a personal record 363 yards. Receiver Ryan Walsh ’09 tore up the Hamilton secondary, racking up 188 yards on ten receptions.
The offensive play of the game came with 2:20 left to play in the first half. Harried by a Hamilton rush, Librizzi calmly looked off the Hamilton safeties and found Walsh on the sideline about 25 yards down. Avoiding the sack by stepping up into the pocket, Librizzi took the chance on a covered Walsh and floated him the ball. The ball flew right into Walsh’s hands, the defender flew at Walsh’s legs and Walsh flew down the sidelines.
Managing to break the defenders’ tackle, Walsh ran untouched the last 30 yards into the end zone in a terrific display of athleticism and poise. Running back Shea Dwyer ’10 had a career day as well, recording 26 rushes for 81 yards.
The Cardinals defense also had a hand in the team’s victory. Wesleyan’s defensive unit played its best game of the year as it held its opponents to only one touchdown, despite the Continentals having terrific field position on nearly every drive. Wesleyan’s four interceptions caused a heavy burden to be placed on the defense players, as it meant they spent the majority of their time on the field.
This all paid off in the fourth quarter when an exhausted Hamilton quarterback tossed two picks to Wesleyan receiver Andrew Fiola ’09. Fiola tied a Wesleyan record with three interceptions in a game and holds this record now with six other Wesleyan Alumni.
Fiola not only managed to pick off two interceptions in the fourth quarter, but he did it in a stunning fashion. At 7:30 to go in the fourth and down by three, Hamilton was once again knocking on Wesleyan’s door.
Within easy field goal range, the Cardinals were going to have to step up and make a play. It was Fiola who took that step. Picking the ball off in the end zone, Fiola completely took the wind out of the Hamilton sails. However, it would not be until one minute twenty-six was left to play that Andrew would sink Hamilton’s ship. Fiola picked the ball off on the 12 yard line and the offense ran out the clock, opting to give up the safety rather than risk punting the ball to seal the game for a win.
When asked to comment on his terrific play, Fiola attributed his success to his defensive line.
“The interceptions were not as much a function of me as they were our ‘D-line,’” he said. “The linebackers and them were in the QB’s face all day, I just happened to catch the ball.”
Also having a terrific day on defense was Peter Overman ’09 who recorded a record 11 tackles and one-and -a-half sacks.
Finally, the sixth Cardinal to achieve a personal record was Chris Helsel ’09, the place kicker. After having missed a forty and thirty-seven yard field goal, Coach Frank Hauser sent Helsel back on the field with three minutes to play in the third period to boot a thirty-five yarder. Helsel laced it through the uprights to notch a new career record for longest field goal and ensure that the Cardinals had enough of a cushion to win the game.
The Cards match up with 0-2 Colby next Saturday at home.
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