Logo: Wesleyan Athletics

at Wesleyan 17, Bates 14

Saturday, October 12, 1997 at Middletown, Conn.

Game Notes:

Behind two TD catches by receiver Matt Perceval, the second coming with 13:38 to play on a 35-yard reception, Wesleyan pulled out a 17-14 victory over Bates to stay undefeated at 4-0. Bates, which has dropped 13 in a row over three seasons, and 50 of its last 51 contests, fell to 0-4 this year. Wesleyan has beaten Bates 11 consecutive times since 1982.

Bates dominated the contest statistically, outgaining Wesleyan 430-331 in total yards, holding a 25-17 edge in first downs, and a five-minute margin in time of possession. But when the game came down to a final drive by the Bobcats, the Wesleyan defense held after Bates gained a first down at the Wesleyan 21-yard line. From there, Bates QB Matt Bazirgan, a sophomore who was making his first collegiate start, tossed an incompletion, was sacked for a five-yard loss by Larry Mason, then failed to find his target again on 3rd- and 4th-down pass attempts. Still, on the day, Bazirgan completed 13 of 27 passes for 187 yards and a TD (24 yards to Jason Coulie) and also rushed 15 times for 84 yards. Bates tailback P.J. McGrail led all rushers with 103 yards on 24 attempts, including a one-yard TD plunge.

Wesleyan QB Jake Fay completed 14 of 25 attempts for 219 yards and a pair of TDs. He connected with Perceval on a 28-yarder in the first quarter for a 7-0 Wesleyan lead. Perceval finished the game with four catches for 82 yards.


SCORING SUMMARY 

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr - Total
Bates (0-4) 6 0 8 0 - 14
Wesleyan (4-0) 7 3 0 7 - 28

1st Quarter 
Wesleyan - Matt Perceval 28 pass from Jake Fay (Ben Kozik kick) 12:13 (6-play, 56-yard drive)
Bates - P.J. McGrail 1 run (kick failed) 6:15 (12-play, 65-yard drive)

2nd Quarter 
Wesleyan - Ben Kozik 29 field goal 0:30 (12-play, 56-yard drive)

3rd Quarter
Bates - Jason Coulie 24 pass from Matt Bazirgan (Matt Bazirgan run) 4:54 (9-play, 76-yard drive)

4th Quarter
Wesleyan - Matt Perceval 35 pass from Jake Fay (Ben Kozik kick) 13:38 (2-play, 32-yard drive)

TEAM STATISTICS 
WESLEYAN BATES
First Downs (Run-Pass-Penalty) 17 (8-9-0) 25 (18-7-0)
Rushing Attempts 36 52
Positive Yards Rushing 133 269
Negative Yards Rushing 24 26
Net Total Yards Rushing 110 243
Net Total Yards Passing 221 187
Passes Attempted-Completed-Intercepted 26-15-1 27-13-0
Total Offensive Plays 62 79
Total Net Yards 331 430
Average Gain Per Play 5.3 5.4
Penalties: Number-Yards 8-60 7-75
Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-1 1-1
Interceptions By: Number-Yards 0-0 1-2
Punts: Number-Yards-Average 4-150-37.5 5-127-25.4
Punt Returns: Number-Yards 0-0 1-1
Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards 1-26 4-65
Fumble Returns: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0
Time of Possession 27:34 32:26
Third-Down Conversions 6 of 12 6 of 15
Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 1 2 of 4
Sacks by: Number-Yards 4-18 3-23

 


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Bates - P.J. McGrail, 24-103, 1 TD; Matt Bazirgan, 15-84; Shawn Nee, 7-24; Alexi Whitney, 5-22; Jason Coulie, 1-10. Wesleyan - Tom Themistocles, 14-63; John Pasucci, 15-42; Matt Perceval, 2-29; Jake Fay, 5-(-23).

PASSING: Bates - Matt Bazirgan, 27-13-0, 187 yards, 1 TD. Wesleyan - Jake Fay, 24-15-1, 219 yards, 2 TDs; Mark Schofield, 1-1-0, 2 yards.

RECEIVING: Bates - Paul Fantasia, 6-80; Jason Coulie, 3-68, 1 TD; Ryan MacDonald, 3-34; Shawn Nee, 1-5. Wesleyan - John Pascucci, 5-55; Matt Perceval, 4-82, 2 TDs; Mike Hakim, 4-51; Tom Themistocles, 2-33.

PUNTING: Bates - Chris Snow, 5-127, 25.4 average. Wesleyan - Rob Stager, 4-150, 37.5 average.

Attendance: 2,500