TERRE HAUTE, IND. – A pair of school records compiled by junior quarterback Logan Haston (Avon, Ind.), coupled with a 37-point rally, wasn't quite enough for Manchester University in last-minute 38-37 loss to Rose-Hulman Saturday, Nov. 1.
Haston's numbers were sparkling in all areas and record-setting in two. He threw for 394 yards, the second best single-game passing yardage total in program history, to go with a team-high 82 rushing yards which made for a school record single-game 476 yards of total offense, eclipsing the former mark of 453 set by former signal caller Bret Greiner in 1999. His passing total moved him over the 2,000-yard mark for the season and to a 2,204 total for a new single-season record, moving past Caleb Grimes' former record of 2,012 set in 2008.
Sophomore wide receiver Dakota Nelson (Fairland, Ind.), as he has throughout two seasons in a Black and Gold uniform, benefitted from his quarterback's success. He hauled in seven catches for 147 yards which moved him to 847 yards on the year, good for the second-best single season effort in school history. Fellow sophomore Matt Wirick (Granger, Ind.) was close behind bringing in six catches for 97 yards, while senior running back Austin Adams (Dowagiac, Mich.) had five catches for 48 yards.
The host Fightin' Engineers (6-2 overall, 4-2 HCAC) sprinted out of the gates in front of their home crowd at Cook Stadium by reeling off 31 unanswered points to begin the contest. An interception for a touchdown on the Spartans' opening possession added in to two other opportunities being stopped on downs and four straight punts to help spark R-H's roll.
MU (3-5 overall, 2-4 HCAC) showed signs of their remarkable rally late in the first half. Haston's arm led to two scores for the Black and Gold, as he hit senior wide receiver Collin Huffine (Centerville, Ind.) on a 12-yard strike to conclude a 71-yard march and then found sophomore tight end Brandon Webb (Fort Wayne, Ind.) on the final play of the half for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 31-13 at the break.
Coach Shannon Griffith's squad kept their foot on the gas in the third and fourth periods. Combining a defense that forced three punts and had three takeaways with an offense that scored on five of its first six possessions in the second half, Manchester University overtook its hosts due to a rushing score from Haston, a Haston-to-Wirick touchdown pass and three field goals in freshman placekicker Dakota Smith's (Kokomo, Ind.) collegiate debut for a 37-31 lead with just 2:13 to play. However, the hosts used their final offensive opportunity to march 76 yards for the eventual game-winning score with just 43 seconds left that led to a 38-37 edge which turned out to be the final after an interception on the visitors' final attempt.
MU's defensive numbers were topped by sophomore defensive back Nathan Birk (Indianapolis, Ind.) with 15 tackles, 14 of which were solo; junior defensive back Taylor Anglemyer (Wakarusa, Ind.) and senior defensive back Wade Teltoe (Edinburgh, Ind.) who each picked off Rose-Hulman quarterback Austin Swenson; and freshman linebacker Tyler Katschke (Winamac, Ind.) and senior defensive lineman Stephen Coble (Edwardsburg, Mich.) who each picked up a sack.
The Spartans return to Carl W. Burt Memorial Field for the final time Saturday, Nov. 8, hosting Hanover College as part of Senior Day 2014 festivities. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.