Solid defense not enough as Bulldogs are blown over at Campbell

STORY BY AUSTIN CANNON

Earlier in the week, Hurricane Joaquin was supposed to be a major factor in Saturday’s Drake- Campbell game. Instead, it went out into the Atlantic. What remained, though, was a strong breeze that spent the evening batting down punts.

Drake punter Cam Bohnert punted nine times for an average of only 36.3 yards, his kicks getting hung up when the Bulldogs were moving into the wind in the first and fourth quarters.

It was the same story for Campbell punter Jarrett Ozimek. His six punts went for an average of 36 yards. Drake returner Brad Duwe had to adjust.

“I was lined up about 18-20 yards differently depending on where they were punting,” Duwe said.

The Bulldogs driving into the wind in the fourth quarter definitely played a role in keeping Drake pinned in its own end. When Campbell got the ball back, the Camels would start in favorable territory — their own 37 and 43 and the Drake 33. Even when they failed to score, Drake would get the ball back with a long field.

“The wind was the decisive deal on the field position,” head coach Rick Fox said. “First and fourth quarters we were going against it and we were fighting the field position battle in those. Second and third we were going with it and that’s when we had out two scores.”

Fumble Fiend 

When Campbell running back DeShawn Jones fumbled early in the third quarter Saturday, it was easy to guess who forced it. The Earth is round, the sun sets in the west and John Hugunin forces fumbles in 2015.

Hugunin, who also recovered Jones’s fumble, has forced five fumbles in five games so far this season. He leads the FCS in that category.

Awuruonye Honored 

Campbell defensive end Ugonna Awuruonye was named the Pioneer Football League’s defensive player of the week for his three-sack, 11-tackle performance against Drake.

He was part of the all-out assault that racked up a school-record nine sacks, constantly harassing Drake quarterback Andy Rice when he did manage to stay upright.

Awuruonye also owns the Campbell career records for sacks (19) and tackles for a loss (31.5).

Up Next 

Next on the PFL slate for the Bulldogs is Valparaiso. The Crusaders (1-3) beat Davidson 42-35 on Saturday for their first PFL win behind Ryan Clarke’s five touchdown passes.

Drake won the last meeting in 2014, 17-9. Duwe and Drew Ormseth both had interceptions in the fourth quarter to hold off the Crusaders.