Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chris Tharp Senior Jerard Leverson struggles to break free against a Pittsburg State defender. Leverson, along with all other seniors, played in his last home game.

The Bulldogs only needed three plays to get the 7-0 jump on Pittsburg State University on Saturday.

The Gorillas, however, rattled off 52 points before the 'Dogs scored again. Pittsburg State rolled up nearly 700 yards of total offense as they poured on the Truman Homecoming parade, 66-14.

Head football coach Shannon Currier said blowouts are tough to handle, regardless of when they happen.

"I wouldn't say Homecoming made it worse," Currier said. "I hate for anybody to have to see that game, but losing's losing no matter what week it is. They all feel the same way. More so when you play poorly, and we played poorly on defense, especially. That's what hurts more than anything else."

Truman did make some plays defensively in the early going. After Pitt State running back Germaine Race galloped 70 yards to the Truman 15, the 'Dogs' defense tightened up and held the Gorillas to a field goal.

True freshman quarterback Michael Long threw an interception on the 'Dogs' next possession, giving the Gorillas a first down on the Truman 18-yard line.

Pitt State came away with nothing, however, as the 'Dogs held on downs. Junior linebacker Larry Giglio wrapped up Pitt State quarterback Andy Majors a yard shy of the first-down marker on fourth-and-two.

The Bulldog defense seemed to wear down, though, as the offense struggled to move the chains. After holding on the fourth-and-two, the offense went three plays and out. Pitt State only needed two Race running plays to capitalize on the short field. Race accumulated 305 yards rushing on 23 carries for the game.

The 'Dogs couldn't sustain their next drive either, and the Gorillas took over at their 20. They moved downfield easily until freshmen defensive tackle Andy Swedenhjelm and linebacker Kyle Glenn tackled Majors for losses on consecutive plays. On third-and-19, a fleet-footed Majors scrambled for 18 yards, enabling the Gorillas to convert on fourth down and eventually find the end zone.

With the offense going nowhere and the defense struggling to make stops, the game quickly got out of hand.

Continued...

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