| Varsity Football
Mustangs Fall to
Generals 19-16 in 1st
Night Game at Moore
Cadillac Stadium
By Adam Knudsen and Robert Kuhn
(September 26, 2004)
George Mason lost a close game 19-16
under the lights against Stonewall Jackson Monday night. After postponing
the game for the weekend because of hurricane Ivan, Mason was finally able
to kick off its first game under the lights, which were made possible in
large part by Moore Cadillac and many other independent donors. The stands
were full and the Mustangs were pumped.
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"It was a great feeling
to look up before kickoff and realize that we were playing under the lights
at home finally," said senior Andrew Campanelli describing the common feeling
of the team before the game on Monday. Emotions were running high before
the kickoff and the Mustangs were eager to show their friends and family
they are one of the few schools in the nation to be endorsed by a company.
Mason’s new stadium, now known as Moore Cadillac Stadium, opened its gates
to the public Monday. The new lights were the talk of the night and they
soon showed their value as the night rolled around and the game kicked
off.
The Mustangs fell behind 12-0 in
the first half. Stonewall had to go for the two-point conversion on both
touchdowns, due to a missing kicking tee in the first half. Both two- point
conversion attempts were stopped short by the Mustang’s defense. The half
seemed to end quickly and Mason’s hope of winning its first game seemed
to be out of sight. Many of the players seemed to be losing their intensity
quick, and felt like they were disappointing their fellow students by losing
this first game. |
“Let
there be light!” Excitement was in the air, as Mason had
its first game
under the lights Monday. Here seniors Ashley
Petit, Kristina
Kirkbride, and Claudia Daisley hold signs to
support their
Mustang players. (Photo by Adam Knudsen) |
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In the second half Mason came out
with a bang, allowing Stonewall to only score one touchdown in the third
quarter. Mason raised its intensity and improved its defensive coverage,
which seemed to be Mason’s weakness in the first half. Mason soon rallied
for a comeback. Junior quarterback Eric Blush scrambled around in the red
zone looking for an open receiver, then spotted a gap and ran the ball
in for a touchdown.
The intensity seemed to shift sides
and the stands began to roar as the players began to regain their confidence.
Later Blush threw a touchdown pass to junior Greg Curtin, who made a stretched-out,
sliding catch in the right hand corner of the end zone. Both of Mason’s
two point conversions were good and the score was19-16 late in the fourth
quarter. This was the first time in five years Mason had scored an offensive
touchdown against Stonewall Jackson. Mason attempted an onside kick, but
was unable to recover the ball and Stonewall Jackson ran the clock down
to finish the game.
Juniors Jimmy Piscopo and John Schwengel
both proved themselves on the Mason offense, making big gains in Stonewall
territory to set Mason up for their two touchdowns. |
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Junior
John Schwengle was a key element in Monday’s
game, showing how
dangerous he can be when he gets around
the corner on
the toss. (Photo by Adam Knudsen) |
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