A week of bonding with buddies, appearances, promotions and practice culminated with the PSFCA Big 33 game Saturday Night at Landis Field. Pennsylvania came in with a 4-1 advantage in the recently renewed rivalry with Maryland. In a game dominated by the defenses, Maryland Kicker Cooper McGeehan nailed a 37-yard field goal with 10.5 seconds left to propel the visitors to a 9-6 victory over Pennsylvania Saturday Night.
McGeehan accounted for all the Maryland scoring, but the defense shined all night long. The visitors forced three turnovers, the biggest being a sparkling end zone interception by cornerback Brandon Savage. Savage’s end zone pick saved the game and earned him Maryland MVP honors. The Pennsylvania MVP award went to kicker Vlad Hilling. One of Vlad’s boots was a Big 33 record, a 56-yarder as the first half drew to a close.
PA took the opening kick and put together what was their best drive of the night. Deep in Maryland territory the drive stalled for the Keystone gang. Vlad Hilling’s 20-yard kick was true and PA held a 3-0 lead. MD came right back. Some key defensive stops by PA deep in their end had Maryland settling for a 42-yard field goal as quarter one ended. After one we were deadlocked at three a piece.
MD jumped out in front 6-3 with another McGeehan field goal midway through quarter two. PA got the ball back and continued to struggle offensively. After stringing a few first downs together, Hilling tried a long shot field goal as the half was ending. It was GOOD from 56 yards, resulting in a new field goal record length for the Big 33 game. They went to the half knotted at six.
The entire third quarter was a defensive stalemate. Maryland did miss on a field goal try but they went into the fourth tied at six. The teams began to move the ball better in the fourth, but no drive ended in points. The teams moved the ball OK between the 30’s. Inside the thirty both defensive teams turned in outstanding defensive efforts. It came down to everything being on the foot of MD kicker Cooper McGeehan. A pressure packed 37-yard attempt got through and Maryland had the lead 9-6 with only 10.5 clicks left. These proved to be the game winning points as a last ditch Hail Mary by PA missed the mark. Maryland came away with the hard fought 9-6 win.
It was a great week and game put on by the PSFBCA.
I am already looking forward to next year.
