Oct. 30, 2004
Football Breaks Through With a 47-33 Win Over Missouri-Rolla
After a season of tough and sometimes heartbreaking losses, the Truman football team finally got a mark in the win column on Saturday with a 47-33 road victory over Missouri-Rolla.
It was another record breaking day for Truman quarterback Jake Czeschin. For the second straight week, he threw for over 400 yards as he completed 37-of-52 passes for 441 yards. He threw six touchdowns in the contest, which ties a MIAA record and breaks the old school record of five. Czeschin did not throw a pick in the contest.
His top receiver on the day was James Walton who caught nine passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Jeff Amundson also caught nine balls for 112 yards and a score and Justin Bodenhausen picked up six receptions for 46 yards and two touchdowns.
Truman's passing game wasn't the only bright spot on offense. Michael Patnode rushed for 167 yards and scored the team's other touchdown.
Defensively, the team allowed a lot of yards, as Missouri-Rolla had 552 yards of total offense, including 449 through the air. However, the Bulldogs' defense made some plays when they counted the most, intercepting Missouri-Rolla three times and also forcing a turnover on downs. Truman's defense had four sacks in the contest, including two by senior Ted Guisinger.
After trading two touchdowns early on, Truman took the lead for good with two unanswered touchdowns before half. The biggest drive came right at the end of the second quarter when the Bulldogs had a 15-play, 5:31 drive and scored with 22 seconds remaining on a five-yard touchdown pass to Bodenhausen.
The Bulldogs' offense continued to roll in the final half with two third-quarter touchdowns and one early in the fourth quarter. That was more than enough for the team, as two late Miner touchdowns only cut the final deficit to 14.
Missouri-Rolla, which fell to 3-7 overall and 2-6 in conference, was led by Brandon Landry who threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Mark Becker threw for 178 yards in the game and two other scores. Three receivers for the Miners, Brett Fischer, Cole Drussa and Ashton Gronewald, went over 100 yards and each had at least one touchdown reception.
Truman will return home for its final game of the 2004 season. Next Saturday, the team hosts Southwest Baptist in a noon kickoff. The game will be Parents and Senior Day at Stokes Stadium.