Niagara held Colgate to a small lead for the first half of the game, then the Kerrmen ran away with it, literally. This was the first time our running game has looked excellent all season. Colgate scored on a passing play in the first quarter, then used great defense and running plays to score 6 more times in the 47-0 win. Defense was the key in the first half, and neither team was letting much past them. Hill and Peter's set up a formidable wall on defense, and the Cataracts were not able to get through or around it. Van Heusen and Pasquale also had great games on defense, several times they were able to stop the Niagara backs before they even got started. Whitey Ask was getting off some good kicks to give Niagara bad field position all game. He also threw a 45 yard touchdown pass to Rene Antolini, who made a great over the shoulder catch, before weaving his way to the goal line.
Niagara recieved the second half kick off, but was unable to get anywhere with it. Antolini returned the ensuing punt all the way back to the 10 yard line, where a quick run added to the Maroon lead. Anderson intercepted a pass on the next drive, and nearly ran it back for a touchdown, but it was Evans who finally ran it in for a score. The next big Colgate drive went 70 yards down the field, with Colgate mostly plunging straight up the middle. Niagara was clearly being worn down and worn out at this point. They did hold us at the 2 yard line for 3 plays, but then Jack Fritts ran it in. Fritts would score again later in the game on an end run after a 20 yard pass put us within range. The final Colgate touchdown was the result of an intercepted pass by Winnie Anderson, who ran it all the way back.
The secret to Colgate's success could be summed up by one word; replacements. Colgate has a second team that is nearly as good as the starters. As we rotated fresh players into the game, we were putting constant pressure on the Niagara starters, who do not substitute as much. Niagara only has 6 or 7 very good players, and when three of them, Lynch, Tanner, and McLaughlin were clearly worn down or affected by injuries in the second half, there were no quality players to replace them. Colgate's offense was also much smoother. Ask and Claire Lyon had their best games in recent memory. Joe Pssquale looked nervous at first, then showed why he was moved to the first team. Jack Fritts had a breakout game, it seemed as if the farther he ran, the faster he got. And would be tacklers just slide right off of him like he was a greased pig. Ralph Morris had the catch of the game, pulling down a one handed catch just as the ball was pasing him. Jack Le Messurier also had a very good catch on a pass by Evans. Colgate just kept coming and coming, and finally Niagara could not keep pace.
Credit should be given to the Niagara fans. Even without official cheerleaders, they did a good job showing support for their team. The highlight of the game for the female fans seemed to have been the pregame warmups of Jack Fritts, "Dutch" Bausch, Clary Anderson and George Van Heusen. Colgate's biggest fan was Andy Kerr's per Airdale, Duke. He's not a puppy anymore, and seemed just as enthusiatic as anybody to be at the game. As the games get more exciting, it is going to take a pretty big and strong cage to keep Duke off of the field! It is my opinion that Niagara deserves the nickname "Fighting Irish". They have 12 celts on their roster, while Notre Dame only has 3 this season.
Next weekend is our first road game of the season, against a tough Lafayette team. These first three games have been the so called warm up games. It is now time to get to the tougher part of the schedule. Various alumni groups will be meeting in Easton next weekend. The Alumni Association of Northern Pennslyvania, the Philadelphia Alumni Organization, and the Northern New Jersey Alumni Association, will all be holding a post game dinner in the Gold Room of the Hotel Easton. Coach Kerr is expected to speak. To RSVP, please contact Paul Ford '23, at the North Hampton Bank Building in Easton.
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