CLEVELAND, Ohio – Senior running back Derek Bush (Kittaning, PA/Ford City) rushed for 62 yards and a career-high three touchdowns to lead the Case Western Reserve University football team to a 37-7 victory versus Denison University on Saturday, September 25 at Case Field. The University paid tribute to its gridiron history with throwback uniforms and a post-game fireworks display.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 3-0 overall and have now won 34 consecutive regular season games. Case returns to action next Saturday, October 2 for Homecoming versus Allegheny College (PA) at 1:00 p.m. With its loss, Denison falls to 3-1 overall.

The Spartans opened the scoring when Bush scored his first rushing TD, a seven-yarder, at the 14:22 mark of the first quarter. The score capped a two-play, 19-yard drive set up by a fumble on the opening kickoff forced by sophomore linebacker Wade Self (Hawthorn Woods, IL/Lake Zurich) and recovered by freshman running back Steven Magister (Allison Park, PA/Hampton).

Case added to its lead at 9:39 of the quarter when Bush scored his second TD from one yard out to cap an eight-play, 65-yard drive. The extra point by senior kicker Sam Coffey (Middletown, OH/Lakota East) made the score 14-0.

The Spartans scored again with 9:48 remaining in the second quarter when senior quarterback Joey Baum (Dalton, OH/Walsh Jesuit) hooked up for an 18-yard TD pass with senior wide receiver Zach Homyk (Chicago, IL/St. Ignatius Prep). A blocked extra point attempt kept the score at 20-0.

At the half, Case had outgained Denison, 287-47, and totaled 15 first downs to only two for the Big Red.

The lead grew to 27-0 when sophomore fullback Trevor LeBarge (St. Louis, MO/Chaminade College Prep) capped a five-play, 72-yard drive with a two-yard TD run – the first of his career. The play was setup by a 24-yard scamper by Bush.

Bush added to his TD total with a four-yard run at 9:37 of the third to cap a three-play, 37-yard drive setup by a turnover on downs. Coffey then added to the lead with a 25-yard field goal with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter.

Denison scored its only points of the game with 7:20 left to play as running back Dan Crawford rushed in from two yards out to cap a three-play, nine-yard drive setup by a Case fumble.  

For the game, Baum completed 21-of-30 pass attempts for 248 yards and a score. Sophomore QB Kyle Snyder (Stow, OH/Walsh Jesuit) carried the ball nine times for a game-high 83 yards. Homyk hauled in seven receptions for 83 yards and senior WR Shaun Nicely (Willoughby, OH/South) recorded four catches for 60 yards. Defensively, junior tackle Dale English (Middleburg Heights, OH/Holy Name) totaled four tackles, including 3.0 for loss, two sacks and two pass break-ups.  

Denison was led offensively by WR Lucas Graham with five receptions for 85 yards. The Big Red defense was paced by cornerback Pat Effinger with a game-high eight tackles.

For the game, Case outgained the Big Red 525-163 including 277-36 on the ground. The Spartans totaled 26 first downs and held Denison to just seven.

Following next Saturday's game versus Allegheny, the Spartans hit the road for two games starting with an Oct. 9 matchup at Oberlin College.