GRANVILLE, Ohio -- Junior quarterback Erik Olson (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) accounted for 262 yards of offense with two scores and the Case Western Reserve University special teams contributed two touchdowns in a 24-6 victory at Denison University on Saturday, September 24 at Deeds Field - Piper Stadium.
The Spartans improve to 2-1 overall heading into a second-straight road contest at Allegheny College (Pa.) next Saturday, October 1 at 1:00 p.m. The loss dropped Denison to 2-2.
Olson had his biggest game as a Spartan, completing 15-of-25 passes for 213 yards and a score. He also rushed for 49 yards and a score on seven carries. Senior wide receiver Bryan Metlesitz (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) totaled career-highs with nine receptions and 138 yards to go along with a touchdown.
Defensively, junior linebacker Kevin Nossem (Munster, Ind./Munster) totaled a game-high 14 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception, while senior tackle Dale English (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Holy Name) recorded five tackles, including three for loss, with two sacks. As a unit, Case forced three turnovers, bringing its season total to 10, and totaled six sacks.
Both offenses started slow, but the Spartans were able to break through with 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Olson connected on a 24-yard touchdown pass to Metlesitz. The Case drive covered 61 yards in six plays, but a missed extra point attempt left the score at 6-0.
Two possessions later, the Spartans drove 64 yards on just four plays and found the endzone once again when senior fullback Christian Anderson (Maumee, Ohio/Marion Pleasant) rushed in from 10 yards out with 7:36 left in the half. Denison blocked the PAT attempt and the score remained at 12-0. The score was set up by a 45-yard pass from senior QB Max Bohon (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) to senior WR Brian Rice (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) -- a career-best for each player.
In the third quarter, the Spartans used a little trickery when Olson, also the team's punter, faked a punt and rushed 62 yards for a touchdown. Another blocked PAT put the score at 18-0 at the 5:56 mark.
Special teams struck again on the ensuing possession when a Denison punt was returned 55 yards by junior safety Dan Calabrese (Concord, Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) for a Spartan TD. Another missed PAT left the score at 24-0 with 3:29 remaining in the third.
The Big Red got on the board on its next drive when QB Max Paulus connected with receiver Andy Carpenter for a 54-yard TD pass. The Spartans stopped a two-point try to keep the score at 24-6 at 2:01 of the third quarter.
Denison had one more possession end deep in Spartan territory when Nossem recorded his second interception in as many games.