Thunder lose 40-22 to Vermilion Community College
Game Summary and Statistics
by Jonathan Becker, FDLTCC Student
On Saturday, September 10, the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Thunder played host to the Vermilion Community College Ironmen at NBC Spartan Sports Complex in Superior, WI. Trailing 6-0 at halftime, the Ironmen pulled away with 27 points in the third quarter to cruise to a 40-22 victory over the Thunder.
Both teams struggled to find any type of offensive flow during the first half that was plagued with penalties and miscues. The Thunder led 6-0 at the halftime break after running back Darion Griner put the home team on the board in the second quarter from two yards out, followed by a missed 2-point conversion attempt.
The third quarter is where the action started. Vermilion received the ball after halftime and on their second play, quarterback Ryan Walker, who had his way with the Thunder secondary in the second half, found wide receiver Lewis Balom wide open to complete a 55-yard touchdown pass. The quick-strike touchdown pass gave the Ironmen their first lead of the game.
The Thunder answered immediately to counter the quick Vermilion score out of the halftime break. The Thunder put together an impressive 11-play drive capped off with another Griner touchdown run from two yards out. The Thunder’s 2-point conversion attempt was good to make it 14-7 Thunder midway through the third quarter.
After the second Griner rushing touchdown for the Thunder, Vermilion took control of the game.
On the first play of their next drive, Walker again found a connection deep downfield for a score, completing a big pass to running back Matthew Tillman out of the backfield for a 62-yard completion to tie the score at 14-14.
Walker added another touchdown pass after Thunder quarterback Matt Iovine was picked off by defensive back Myron Riley deep in Thunder territory. With great field position, Walker found wide receiver Tevin Suddeth in the end zone from five yards out, and following a missed extra point attempt, the Ironmen were back on top 20-14.
Since the start of the third quarter, Vermilion ran just eight total plays of offense which resulted in 20 points. As the third quarter came to a close, Vermilion put together a sustained 13-play, 60-yard drive capped off with another Walker touchdown pass to Tevin Suddeth. Walker ended his day 27 of 49 with four touchdown passes and 426 passing yards.
The Thunder did find the end zone one more time in the fourth quarter on another Griner touchdown run. Griner had a solid day with 116 yards and three touchdowns, but the damage had been done at this point.
The Thunder did seem to have things clicking at times during the game, but penalties (17 total for 151 yards) consistently seemed to destroy any rhythm they had developed.
Thunder defensive end Damon Garner led the Thunder defense with eight tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Garner is a rarity in college football in that he plays full-time, doubling as an offensive lineman. Thunder punter Dalton Bryant also had a busy day, punting nine times with a 36.3 average on a windy day and several times from in the Thunder end zone.
The Thunder fall to 1-2 on the season. The Thunder host Mesabi Range Technical & Community College at noon on Saturday, September 17, at Bromberg Field in Cloquet.
The following tables are a complete game summary with team and individual statistics.