By Max Prinz
The 2014 Rams became the first Fordham team to go undefeated in Patriot League play Saturday, defeating Georgetown, 52-7.
The team’s 32 seniors, who were honored in the Senior Day ceremony before kickoff on Saturday, have come a long way from 2011’s 1-10 season. Senior wide receiver Brian Wetzel reflected on how far the team had come after the game.
“When I got here I thought we had a special group of guys,” Wetzel said. “I thought that if we stuck together we could come out and do something great. Obviously that 1-10 season turned that around a little but the new coaching staff came in and we all bought in and came together.”
Another one of those seniors who remembers the 1-10 season all too well is Peter Maetzold. Maetzold replaced Mike Nebrich at quarterback in the second quarter and completing 14 of 18 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns.
“Pete’s up for relief pitcher of the year, he’s done an unbelievable job,” head coach Joe Moorhead said. “Three of the biggest games of the year Pete stepped up and performed unbelievably.”
Nebrich appeared to land awkwardly on his left knee after completing a pass to senior Tebucky Jones early in the second quarter. He was diagnosed with a left knee contusion and will be reevaluated tomorrow.
“We feel optimistic about it, but it takes a day or so,” Moorhead said. “So he’ll be evaluated tomorrow and we’ll go from there. Hope for the best.”
The Rams wasted no time getting going against the Hoyas. Sophomore Kendall Pearcey scored from the one yard line to cap a 10-play 71-yard opening drive to give the Rams a 7-0 less than four minutes into the game.
At halftime, Fordham was in completely in control and held a 24-point advantage.
“There were plenty of things for us to play for this week, even with the specter of complacency looming over our heads,” Moorhead said. “It was Senior Day, chance to be the first Fordham team to go undefeated in Patriot League play, chance for these seniors to be undefeated at home.”
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
- Andrew Esoldi/The Fordham Ram
The offense got anything it wanted all day, putting up 532 total yards, and the defense was miserly, allowing Georgetown to record just 251 yards of offense.
“Our defense had an outstanding performance today and they’ve really done a great job throughout the season,” Moorhead said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our staff and our players.”
Maetzold, who completed a crisp 78 percent of his passes, credited his strong play coming off the bench to a good week of preparation.
“It helps when you’ve played the past two weeks, of course,” Maetzold said. “But I think the mentality through the week is really important. If you’re not prepared during the week you’re not going to succeed.”
The Rams, while they likely won’t be as prolific, are in good hands with Maetzold should Nebrich miss next week’s game.
“I feel great about it,” Maetzold said. “I know I don’t have to do anything that I can’t do. I don’t have to play above myself The line, the running backs, the receivers will help out.”
The next contest for the Rams comes next week on the road against Army, an FBS program. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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Max Prinz is the Sports Editor for The Fordham Ram.
Tom • Nov 20, 2014 at 10:31 pm
I too am thrilled about the strides we’ve made in the past two years, and ecstatic about Fordham’s prominence in D1 FCS football. But we are not Notre Dame, and don’t want to be. The crowd rituals will come when the crows get consistently bigger, which will happen when the press coverage of what we have achieved grows. I understand the lack of coverage from the NY Times – they are on a crusade against football in general, among other things – but why aren’t there any articles in the other NY papers about a football power that exists within NYC limits? Quite the anomaly, and something that I think ought to be pressed by the SID. Seriously, a national football power in the Bronx? Isn’t that news????
starkruzr • Nov 18, 2014 at 11:16 am
As a 2001 alum, the past few years in Fordham football have stunned me in the happiest way possible. AD Roach hiring Coach Moorhead may have been the best athletic decision we’ve made since restarting the program in the 70s. I am incredibly proud to be a Ram.
That said, I hope our athletic director also starts work on really developing the gameday experience. I was at the Georgetown game on Saturday and went to both the Georgetown game and Holy Cross game last year. Here’s the thing — as fans, we have NO IDEA WHAT WE’RE DOING! We’re lucky if we know the fight song! Compared to my experience in grad school at Notre Dame we are incredibly disorganized, have no intimidation factor and in general have no idea how to pay attention. I don’t know if we need better pep rallies and promotions on campus or what — consistent performance from the band and cheerleaders would probably help, too — but that “12th man” effect can make a huge difference, especially (obviously) on defense.
When we go to the playoffs, I want the Fordham faithful to put the fear of God into its opposition. We can do this! We just need some fan commitment and athletic department leadership.
Hail, men (and women!) of Fordham, hail!