Warriors Cruise to Victory Over Cheyney

ESU sophomore tailback Robert Healy ran for 98 yards and had a rushing and receiving touchdown in ESU's 49-21 win over Cheyney. Photo Credit / Tory Stella
ESU sophomore tailback Robert Healy ran for 98 yards and had a rushing and receiving touchdown in ESU's 49-21 win over Cheyney. Photo Credit / Tory Stella
ESU sophomore tailback Robert Healy ran for 98 yards and had a
rushing and receiving touchdown in ESU’s 49-21 win over Cheyney.
Photo Credit / Tory Stella

By Nick Granados
Sports Editor

ESU was a heavy favorite at last Saturday evening’s matchup against Cheyney, a fact that was made clear on the field.

Prior to the game, several Warrior football players were presented with scholarships from a variety of alumni, as well as one from Coach Denny Douds himself.

Once the game began, the Warriors’ offense erupted early on, as redshirt junior QB Matt Soltes threw touchdown passes to wide receiver Jon Schnaars, tailback Robert Healy, and tight end Steven Jones respectively, to take a 21-0 lead into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, Soltes picked up right where he left off by connecting with Ray Dominguez to extend the lead to 28-0.

After the Warriors recovered a muffed punt by Cheyney, Soltes connected with Jon Schnaars for Schnaars’ second touchdown of the game.

With that touchdown, ESU took a commanding 35-0 lead into halftime.

After a 12-yard touchdown run from Robert Healy, Cheyney finally got on board a little under five minutes into the third quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run by Rolando Ransom.

Despite two touchdown passes from Cheyney’s freshman quarterback Mike Campbell late in the game, the Warriors held on for the 49-21 win.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 5-1 overall (4-1 in PSAC play) and extended their winning streak against Cheyney to 35 consecutive victories over the Wolves.

The winning streak goes back to 1979, when Cheyney defeated ESU 7-3. That is Cheyney’s only victory in the series, which ESU leads 57-1 all-time. ESU is 39-1 against Cheyney under head coach Denny Douds.

Matt Soltes led all passers, completing 12 of 18 attempts for 258 yards and 5 touchdowns. Soltes, who was named the D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Week for the week of October 7, now has 2,158 yards and 24 touchdowns through six games.

Junior wide receiver Joe Welk led all ESU receivers with 3 receptions for 92 yards. Tailback Robert Healy and wide receiver Jon Schnaars also had 3 receptions, as well as a touchdown, for Healy and two touchdowns for Schnaars.

The redshirt junior wide receiver leads all Warriors in receiving with 32 for 421 yards and 7 touchdowns through six games.

Schnaars now has 99 career touchdown receptions and can earn his hundredth career touchdown this Saturday against Millersville.

ESU redshirt sophomore tailback Robert Healy led all ESU rushers with 8 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Healy finished just two yards behind Cheyney’s Khalil Rodgers. Although Rodgers was held out of the end zone, he led all rushers in the game with 17 carries for 100 yards.

With the win, ESU improved to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in PSAC play.

The Warriors will travel to Millersville on Saturday to take on the Marauders, who enter the week’s matchup 0-6 (0-5 in PSAC play.)

Head Coach Denny Douds, who earned his 50th win since turning 65 years old in 2006, will have the chance to pass former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz, who he is currently tied with at 249 wins, for sole possession of 20th on the list of all-time wins (NCAA all-division).

Email Nick at:
ngranados@live.esu.edu