[Previous entry: "Still Perfect... T-Birds vs Warriors: Recap"] [Next entry: "Thunderbirds vs Titans: Preview"]

10/09/2005: "Rough Riders - Giants"

Published - Sunday, August 28, 2005
Jepsen's return not a happy one for Rough Riders
By Rick Solem / Winona Daily News
.
Curt Jepsen made his homecoming a successful one Saturday night at Maxwell Field at Midwest Wireless Stadium.

The former Winona State University running back, who was the complement to All-American Kevin Curtin in 2003, rushed for 102 yards on 24 carries to lead the Rochester Giants to a 20-3 win over the River Cities Rough Riders amateur football team.

The Rough Riders defense was hard on Jepsen most of the game, but a key drive in the third quarter — capped off by his 35-yard touchdown run — put it out of reach.

"These guys hit hard," Jepsen said.

Jepsen had just 16 carries for 36 yards before that drive in the third. What changed was his confidence in the offensive line.

"When I played here, we had the cutback installed in the offense," said Jepsen, a graduate of Rochester Mayo. "With this team, I'm not sure about cutting back because I don't know if my line is holding the backside block. But they told me they had it, and that's when it all changed."

The Rough Riders offense had a hard time getting anything going. That was obvious as 280-pound quarterback Tory Lockington led the team in rushing.

Deejay Spencer had it going early, but as the Rough Riders (2-5 overall) fell behind, it was up to Lockington to do it in the air, and Rochester teed off on the big man.

It's hard to bring down a 280-pound quarterback, but Rochester sacked him three times and usually had him wrapped up.

Lockington, however, is so big and well-balanced that he could keep the defenders from pulling him down and throw the ball away.

Lockington finished 12-for-27 with three interceptions and 134 yards — 50 coming on a Hail Mary to Chris Landsome as time ran out.

Aside from that play, the highlight of the day for the Rough Riders — or perhaps the blooper of the day — came on a fourth-and-15.

Rochester (11-1) sent the blitz and had Lockington wrapped up when he coughed up the ball.

"I fumbled it straight up," said the 32-year-old, "and everyone stopped tackling me to look for the ball. It came right back to me and I saw (Carlos Clayburn) open so I threw it."

The play resulted in a 23-yard gain and first down, but the Rough Riders couldn't put the ball in the end zone.

River Cities fell behind early when John Hauser found Andre Hernandez behind the zone for a 49-yard touchdown.

The poised Hauser went for 13 of 21 for 159 yards and added a 1-yard TD run. Hernandez led all receivers with 85 yards.

The only score for the Rough Riders was Nathan Weess' 39-yard field goal to make it 6-3 in the third quarter.

Rochester 6 0 6 8 — 20

River Cities 0 0 3 0 — 3

First quarter: Rochester—Andre Hernandez 49 pass from John Hauser (kick fail), 9:16.

Third quarter: RR—Nathan Weess 39 field goal, 10:28. Rochester—Hauser 1 run (kick fail), 3:13.

Fourth quarter: Rochester—Curt Jepsen 35 run (D. Porter pass from Hauser), 11:02.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Rushing: Rochester—Jepsen 24-102; RR—Tory Lockington 10-33, Deejay Spencer 11-26. Passing: Rochester—Hauser 13-21-159-1; RR—Lockington 12-27-134-3. Receiving: Rochester—Hernandez 5-85; RR—Chris Landsome 1-50, Aaron Woelfel 5-34.

Total yards: Rochester: 83-159—242; RR: 56-134—190.