LOUISVILLE, KY -- Bellarmine sprint football began its home 2023 slate by defeating the Crimson Wave of Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind) 25-10 at Page Stadium on the campus of St. Xavier High School. With the win, the Knights move to 2-0 for the second consecutive season.
The Knights moved the ball effectively on their first possession, marching to the Calumet 33 yard line on a drive that included a
Luke Worley 11-yard QB scramble on a 4th down and 4. After a Worley interception ended the drive, the Knights defense forced a Crimson Wave punt which gave Bellarmine the ball at the Calumet 28.
Derrik Gant took advantage of the great field position with a 28-yard TD run which was followed up by a successful
Brenden Reid 2-point conversion to give the Knights an 8-0 lead.
The Crimson Wave scored the next two touchdowns to take a 14-8 lead midway through the second quarter, and things looked bleak for Bellarmine after the Knights lost a fumble on a kickoff, giving Calumet the ball at the Knights' 35 yard line. The Bellarmine defense made a stand however, and after stopping the Crimson Wave inside the 10-yard line, a bad snap on a Calumet field goal attempt kept the score at 14-8. On the ensuing possession, Bellarmine pinned Calumet at their own five-yard line thanks in part to an illegal block in the back penalty. After a three-and-out, the Knights took possession at the Crimson Wave 29 and were able to kick a 36-yard field goal as the half expired to cut the halftime deficit to 14-11.
After neither team was able to get much offense going to start the third quarter, the Knights once again pinned the Crimson Wave deep as a
Caiden Mellecker punt was downed at the Calumet two-yard line. Three plays later,
Caleb Murray forced and recovered a fumble at the five yard line, and Worley ran it in on the next play to give Bellarmine an 18-14 lead. The Crimson Wave subsequently drove into the red zone, but an interception by
Lance Weiter preserved the Knights' 18-14 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Bellarmine's defense continued to stand tall and the offense managed to drain the clock down to 3:24 before Mellecker was once again able to pin the Crimson Wave deep, placing the ball at the Calumet 10 yard line. On Calumet's last chance on a 4th and 10 with just over two minutes to play,
Michael Miller forced a fumble on a sack and
Luke Jackson picked it up and ran it in for a game-sealing touchdown. Following a
Devan Hendricks interception on the subsequent drive, Bellarmine was able to kneel the clock out.
Worley finished 12-of-19 for 115 yards to go along with his rushing touchdown. The defense came up big in the turnover department and Mellecker was able to help the Knights win the field position battle with two punts pinned inside the 10 yard line.
Ben Valle had one pinned inside the 10 as well.
On the ground,
Derrik Gant rushed for 23 yards and a touchdown.
Tyler Smith led the Knights' receiving corps with five catches for 47 yards.
Shannon Tonge had four catches for 43 yards.
Up next, the Knights will head on the road to take on Midway University on Saturday, September 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM.
