The Advance

Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Tanner Colvin Running back Preston McCorkle makes a diving play to help secure the Coyote victory.

In what can be classified as an interesting game, the Coyotes left Salina Stadium with their heads held high, defeating the visiting Saint Mary Spires 27-12 last Saturday.

In a game dominated by turnovers from both teams, it was the Coyotes that took more advantage of their opponents' mistakes.

Freshman defensive back Plasee Conway intercepted a pass from Saint Mary Quarterback Matt Warner.

The defense would hold strong, not allowing the Spires to cross mid-field, and a 46-yard punt return by junior Jason Dolan set up the Coyotes in Spires' territory to begin their second drive.

Two plays into their second drive, the Coyotes turned the ball back over to the Spires as McCorkle again had the ball stripped, which was recovered by the Spires' Daryl Kruegar at the Saint Mary 34.

The second quarter started off tremendously
for the Coyotes, as senior defensive back Willie Johnson would pick off Saint Mary's Warner for the team's second interception of the game. Warner would again be picked off, this time by junior Ryan Dolan.

Wesleyan would take advantage of this turnover, needing only three plays to go 23 yards for the touchdown,
with a four-yard McCorkle run to get the Coyotes on the board 7-0 with 5:15 to go in the second quarter.

Saint Mary would get on the board with a 48-yard field goal to cut the score to 7-3 on their following drive. A trick play on the Coyotes next drive proved fatal as the pass thrown by Jason Dolan was intercepted, giving Saint Mary great field position at the Coyotes 17.

With the score 7-6 and 38 seconds left before halftime, junior running back Steven Vallerie electrified the crowd returning a kickoff 52-yards to the Saint Mary 42. Three plays later, QB Drew Dallas connected with wide receiver Jason Dolan on an incredible
42-yard pass over the middle for the Coyote touchdown. Van Blarcom connected on the extra point and the Coyotes would head into halftime with a 14-6 lead.

Saint Mary would fumble the ball twice in the third quarter, leading to two field goals from Van Blarcom as Wesleyan would lead 20-6 going into the final quarter.

After a Spires touchdown, they tried an onside kick, but failed as senior linebacker Brandon McGinn would recover. Dallas hit junior receiver Marcus Lowe over the middle for a 43-yard score putting the nail in the coffin of the Spires as the Coyotes would go up 27-12.

The team now stands at 4-3 (3-3) in conference play. The team travels to Sterling next to take on the 5-2 Warriors.

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