BY NICK GRANADOS
SC SPORTS EDITOR
ESU had no answer for Bloomsburg’s Franklyn Quiteh. The senior running back finished the game with 304 yards and 4 touchdowns as ESU fell to the #6 ranked Huskies 52-38.
After both teams got off to a slow start on offense, Quiteh opened up the scoring with a 46-yard touchdown run with 4:38 minutes left in the first quarter to give the Huskies the 7-0 lead.
After a 17-yard pass from Tim Kelly to Glen Hutton Jr. put Bloomsburg up 14-0 early in the second quarter, the Warriors got on the board.
ESU quarterback Matt Soltes, who started despite leaving last week’s game against West Chester with an injury, connected with tight end Steven Jones to cut the Huskies lead in half.
Despite ESU cutting into Bloomsburg’s lead, the Warriors defense was unable to stop the Huskies’ offense, which would become a common trend throughout the game.
QB Tim Kelly scored on a 41 yard run to put the Huskies back up by 14.
Near the end of the first half, the Warriors’ offense started to really show signs of life.
Matt Soltes threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to redshirt sophomore receiver Jon Schnaars, to bring the Warriors to within 7.
Things got a little interesting late in the first half.
With Bloomsburg facing a 4th down and 15, the Warriors were called for roughing the kicker, giving the Huskies a first down.
On the very next play, Tim Kelly’s pass was intercepted, giving the Warriors the ball with under 5 minutes left to play.
After the Warriors go into the red zone, Soltes found Robert Bleiler in the end zone to tie the game a 21 with 24 seconds left.
However, Bloomsburg drove over 60 yards in 20 seconds and took a 24-21 lead into halftime after a last second field goal.
Bloomsburg got the ball to start the second half and wasted little time adding to their lead.
Franklyn Quiteh rushed for his second touchdown of the game, this one from 2 yards out to put the Huskies up by 10.
Matt Soltes and Robert Bleiler connected once again to bring the Warriors to within 3.
However, a 51-yard run by Franklyn Quiteh put Bloomsburg back up by 10.
Late in the third quarter, Matt Soltes was intercepted by DJ Robinson ending his streak of consecutive passes without an interception at 211, which is reportedly an unofficial PSAC record.
However, the Warriors recovered a fumble by Bloomsburg’s Dai’Shon Munger and drove down the field.
Despite the turnover, ESU was held out of the end zone and settled for a 31-yard field goal from Taylor Groff to bring ESU to within 7.
With 9:58 left in the fourth quarter, Jon Schnaars made a highlight reel worthy one-handed catch on a 28 yard pass from Matt Soltes to tie the game at 38.
Unfortunately, the Warriors defense was unable to stop the Huskies’ offense as Franklyn Quiteh scored his fourth touchdown of the game to once again give Bloomsburg the lead.
With 4:18 left in the fourth quarter, Matt Soltes threw his second interception of the game which all but sealed the win for the Huskies.
Another rushing touchdown by Tim Kelly put Bloomsburg up 52-38 and the Huskies went on to walk out of Eiler-Martin Stadium with a win over the Warriors.
Warriors QB Matt Soltes led all passing with 476 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Warriors wide receiver Robert Bleiler led all receivers with 130 yards and 2 touchdowns, both in a losing effort.
Meanwhile, Bloomsburg’s Franklyn Quiteh led all rushers with 304 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Having lost their second straight game, the Warriors will look to snap their losing streak and get back on track when they travel to Kutztown next week to take on the Golden Bears (1-6, 1-3).
Email Nick at:
ngranados@live.esu.edu
