The Case Western Reserve University football game against Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, on Saturday afternoon officially ended with 2:07 left in the third quarter due to persistent inclement weather in the area.
The Spartans trailed 17-14 when the contest was stopped for the second time late in the second half due to thunderstorms in the area. After waiting several hours, it was deemed that the teams would not be able to resume play.
A mutually-agreed-upon decision by the coaches, athletic directors, and referees resulted in the game ending in a 17-17 tie. The game statistics are unofficial until further guidance from the NCAA is received.
Additional information on the game, including individual statistics, will be available following the NCAA's guidance.
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Game Recap
First Quarter
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Rowan took an early 7-0 lead in the game, scoring on its second play from scrimmage on a 75 yard pass from Nate Maiers to Nunes Bukula IV.
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The Spartans responded immediately on their next drive, going 74 yards on eight plays over two minutes and 33 seconds to even the score at 7-7 with 11:38 left in the frame. Senior quarterback Aaron Filips passed for 44 yards and ran for 14 during the scoring drive, including a 10-yard scamper into the end zone to tie the score.
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After holding Rowan scoreless on their next two drives, CWRU was able to strike quickly to take its first lead of the game. On third and 11 from his own 34 yard line, Filips completed a 66-yard pass to sophomore running back Andy Kavcic to put the Spartans ahead 14-7 by the end of the opening period.
Second Quarter
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The Spartans ate up over seven minutes of clock on their first possession of the second quarter, but ultimately saw a 17-play, 71-yard drive stall on the Rowan 16 yard line after failing to convert a fourth-and-three attempt.
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The CWRU defense forced a pair of Profs punts in the frame from inside Spartan territory, as the half came to a close with CWRU still in front 14-7.
Third Quarter
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Prior to the start of the third quarter, there was a one-hour lightning delay as a storm came through the Glassboro area.
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The Spartans first two drives of the third quarter each ended in turnovers with the second one proving to be the costliest. Filips appeared to be on his way into the end zone but was taken down at the one yard line and fumbled. The Profs' Ameer Mason would then return the fumble 99 yards for a touchdown, knotting the score at 14-14 with 8:13 left in the third.
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A blocked punt led to a Rowan FG with 4:19 left in the period before a second weather delay took place. This time, the teams would be unable to continue play.
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With the game unable to resume, per NCAA rules, the coaches decided to end the game at a determined score, agreeing to a 17-17 tie.
Spartan Notes
Up Next
The Spartans will be back in action next weekend with their second and final non-conference regular season game of the season when CWRU travels to Crawfordsville, Indiana for a matchup against Wabash College. The contest will be the first time the two teams have met since the Little Giants bested the Spartans in the NCAA Playoffs in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008.
