The sun was beginning to set at Mustang Stadium as kickoff for the 2024 season was underway Thursday evening at Stevenson University.
And the setting turned dark more quickly than expected as the visiting Rowan Professors jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, a 28-7 lead at half, and a 35-7 lead at the end of the third quarter.
However, the inexperienced Mustangs (0-1) fought back in the fourth, scoring nine points in a 35-16 loss to Rowan (1-0).
“The youth showed up for sure,” Stevenson coach Ed Hottle said after the game.
Coming into this game, coach Hottle knew that the young guys were going to be a factor in this game, especially playing without last year’s starting quarterback Nyaire Wilson.
The game started off reasonably well for the Stevenson defense.
Rowan missed a field goal on the Profs’ first drive, and on their second drive SU sophomore cornerback Samuel John Jr. picked off quarterback Nate Maiers in the Mustang endzone.
Stevenson’s first drive ended with a punt. On top of that, on their second drive the Mustangs were forced to punt again but a bad snap led to Rowan recovering the ball at the Stevenson 15-yard line. Rowan then scored first on a 15-yard touchdown run from freshman quarterback Matt Welsey.
SU’s next drive looked promising as sophomore quarterback Landon Winterbottom, starting in Wilson’s place, connected with Dillon Johnson on a 16-yard pass for a first down. On the same drive, however, a Winterbottom pass resulted in a pick-6 touchdown for Rowan defensive tackle Carter Williams, making the score 14-0 to cap off the first quarter.
To start the second, Winterbottom connected on a 56-yard-deep ball to sophomore wide receiver Deion Richardson to put the Mustangs in scoring position. On the drive, starting running back Louis Clouser went down with an injury after a run for 2 yards, and the senior sat out the rest of the game. Clouser was a pivotal factor in last year’s rushing attack and losing him in the first game of the season is not ideal for the Mustangs.
On the bright side, two plays after Clouser’s injury, Winterbottom connected with Richardson on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 11:51 to play in the half, drawing the Mustangs within 7 points, 14-7.
That would be the last Stevenson would score until the fourth quarter. To make matters worse, late in the second quarter, sophomore cornerback John Jr. went down with a concussion and didn’t return.
Stevenson trailed 28-7 at halftime.
Key factors in the first half were the Mustang offense not capitalizing on their drives, exacerbated by miscommunication between the quarterback and receivers, and injuries. On top of that, the SU defense suffered from a few blown coverages, leading to big plays for Rowan.
Rowan started the third quarter scoring on a 61-yard touchdown pass over the middle from Welsey to Luke Hoke, making the score 35-7 with 11:27 left in the third.
The Mustangs came out hot to start the 3rd quarter. Winterbottom connected with Richardson once again, but this time on a 36-yard bomb down the sideline. That would be the last fans would see of Winterbottom as junior Jordan Adams stepped in for the rest of game.
The Mustang defense came up big on their next drive when sophomore Mekhi Harvey came up with an interception to end the Rowan drive. On the next defensive drive, Stevenson came back with another stop on fourth down. Sophomore safety Seth Freiwald tackled the challenging Rowan receiver a yard short of the first down marker.
Early in the fourth, Adams connected with Richardson on a 24-yard touchdown pass, Richardson’s second touchdown reception of the night.
“The coaching staff and QBs made my job easy,” Richardson said. “[The] coaches came up with a great game plan and QBs made some amazing throws. I just had to make the plays, so it was good seeing the work we put in pay off in a way”.
Late in the final quarter, Stevenson’s defense forced a safety. Rowan attempted to punt on fourth down, but the snap went over the punter’s head and out the back of the endzone for a 35-16 score, which became the final.
Richardson led the SU offense with five receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, senior linebacker Clarence Travis recorded 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Stevenson plays next at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at Middle Atlantic Conference opponent Lebanon Valley, where the Mustangs look to bounce back and avenge last season’s rain-shortened 45-38 loss.
