Springfield Runs by Hartwick in a Shootout in the Snow
Oneonta, N.Y. -- October 29, 2011 -- Senior quarterback Josh Carter ran for a career-high 246 yards and four touchdowns, and sophomore halfback Austin Bateman ran for 195 yards and another three TDs in leading Springfield College to a 62-41 victory over Hartwick College in an Empire 8 league contest Saturday afternoon at Wright Stadium. The game was played in a driving snowstorm through much of the second half, especially in the fourth quarter.
With the win, Springfield upped its overall record to 5-3, and 3-3 in the Empire 8. Hartwick lost its sixth straight game, falling to 2-6 overall and to 0-5 in the conference.
Springfield never trailed in this game, although it was close at various times. SC led 21-20 at the half, but opened that up to 42-20 in the third period. It was 62-34 with just over two minutes remaining.
Senior halfback and co-captain Mark Safer (St. Johns, Fla.) also had a stellar day rushing for 133 yards and one TD on 12 carries. He averaged 11.1 yards per rush.
Carter, who hails from Marlborough, Mass., rushed for a then career-high 224 yards and three TDs in a 38-33 victory over Ithaca just two weeks ago. But he did appreciably better today with his 246 yards rushing and four TDs. He also passed for an additional 11 yards for a total offense of 257 yards. Carter's rushing TDs were of 4, 62, 19, and 1 yards. In 29 carries, he averaged 8.5 yards per rush on the day.
Carter had entered the game as the nation's No. 2 scorer in Division III with 14.29 ppg. He is now averaging 15.25 points per contest. Josh also entered the game the 14tth-best rusher in Division III with 128.71 yards per game. He is now averaging 143.38 yards per game.
Bateman, who is the back-up quarterback, has been seeing more time at halfback in the last few weeks. The Ganesvoort, N.Y. native ran for 195 yards today with thee TDs, all within the first three quarters. Bateman's TDs were of 12, 47, and 16 yards. In 13 carries, he averaged 15.0 yards per rush.
Safer added a TD of seven yards. Junior halfback Mike Davis (Madison, Conn.) added another TD of five yards.
Springfield ran for 659 yards today as a team. It remains to be seen whether SC has regained the No. 1 spot nationally in rushing. SC entered today ranked No. 2 nationally in rushing at 351.43 yards per game. With today's total added, SC is now averaging 389.88 yards per game.
It was 14-3, Springfield after one quarter, 21-20 at the half. It was 42-27 after three quarters.
Next Saturday, Nov. 5, the Pride plays at Utica in what will be its last Empire 8 contest. In 2012, Springfield begins play in the Liberty League.