CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. -- It was a day of big plays for Caldwell University sprint football on Saturday, with touchdown tosses on sophomore quarterback
Josh Smith's (Parsippany, N.J.) first two passes accounting for first-half scores, but the Cougars dropped a 35-30 decision at Chestnut Hill in CSFL South action at A.A. Garthwaite Stadium.
The Cougars took the opening kickoff and drove 70 yards in five plays, capped by Smith's 35-yard touchdown completion to senior WR
Darius Harrison (Plainfield, N.J.). After CHC went ahead, 14-7, Smith immediately answered with a 68-yard pass to sophomore WR
Joey Ciccotelli (Denville, N.J.).Â
After CHC retook the lead, the Griffins were driving with time winding down in the half. On the last play before the intermission, from inside the CU 5-yard line, QB Griffin Walter rolled left and appeared to fumble as he tumbled to the turf. Caldwell senior DB
JJ Hinnant (Avenel, N.J.) scooped it up and raced up the right sideline, but the officials ruled that Walter was down before fumbling as the half expired.
The Griffins (4-1) doubled their lead midway through the third quarter, but Smith and the Cougars weren't done, moving 69 yards on four plays, culminating in a TD toss to sophomore WR
Ky Decartaret (Elizabeth, N.J.).
The Cougars defense held, and Smith carved up the CHC defense a bit more, the drive ending with a 28-yard field goal by junior
Nic Mallon (Saddle Brook, N.J.) to cut the deficit to 28-24 with 23 seconds left in the third.
Chestnut Hill kept up the pressure, scoring to go ahead two scores, but the Cougars battled back again. This time it was sophomore QB
Anthony Torres (Belleville, N.J.) leading the offense, connecting on a 3-yard TD pass to Ciccotelli to again cut the deficit, closing to 35-30 with 2:42 to play.Â
CHC was able to convert a 3rd-and-1 with 2:00 left and the Cougars out of time outs to secure the win.
Smith finished with 273 yards passing on 16 of 20 completions, and another 74 yards rushing. Torres was efficient in his time behind center, completing three of four for 25 yards including the scoring strike to Ciccotelli, who had seven catches for a career-best 163 yards and the two scores.
Harrison totalled three receptions for 52 yards and Decartaret had five for 30 yards.
Junior linebackers
Dean Fiore (Woodbridge, N.J.) and
Kavon Hayes (Hillside, N.J.) led the defense with seven tackles apiece.
The Cougars (1-4) return home to face University of Pennsylvania on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. at Bonnel Field.
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