Adelphi Football Comes Up with the Win Despite Butter Ball

NEW HAVEN, CT—The Adelphi Panthers football team defeated the New Haven Chargers 24-9 yesterday at New Haven Memorial Stadium. The Panthers offense was enough to make up for 5 fumbles and 11 penalties, causing 3 turnovers and losing a total of 119 yards.

The Chargers struck first, with a 40-yard field goal just 2 minutes, 54 seconds into the first quarter giving them an early 3-0 lead. This was the first of only two scoring drives on the game. The second coming on a 12-yard touchdown pass with only 1:20 left on the game clock. Followed by a failed 2-pt conversion. 

For the Panthers, Freshman RBs Paul Jones and Jimmy Roberts each rushed for over 100 yards, with Jones recording 3 fumbles. Jones capped off an 8 play, 73-yard drive, with a rushing touchdown from the 1-yard line.

When asked about Jones’ future role following yesterday’s performance, Panthers’ Head Coach Joe Smith is confident the young RB will bounce back and be a pivotal role in their next matchup against the #3 Southern New Hampshire Penmen this Friday at 4pm, saying “Jones is my guy, I’m sticking with him no matter what. No questions asked”

Junior starting QB Cameron Brown had his doubts early on. “I was a little nervous after we gave the ball away down 3-0, but the defense came through and then our offensive line destroyed them”. Brown threw for 220 yards and rushed for 43 on the day. The Panthers defense only have 16 points allowed so far this season.

Adelphi kicker Dave Owens, following his 44-yard field goal, which gave the Panthers a 10-3 first-quarter lead, has achieved the highest field goal percentage in school history. Last week, Owens tied a school record as the first-ever kicker to kick 6 field goals in one game. 

Coach Smith has his work cut out for him on the practice field this week to cut down the Panthers constant fumbling and penalties if they want to compete with the nationally ranked Penmen. “Well, if we play this way next week, we might not be productive. We have to find a way to hold onto the ball. New Hampshire is a good football team. They’ll be ready to play.” says Smith. With how the Penmen have looked so far this season, Smith may be right on the money.