Sept. 5, 2008

Bronx, N.Y. -

GALLERY

Even though the varsity season doesn't start until Saturday, a few of the Fordham junior varsity players got a jump on their varsity counterparts as they opened the 2008 season with a 21-0 loss to Nassau Community College on Jack Coffey Field.

The Rams had the ball first, picking up a first down, thanks to a four-yard completion from Douglas Papy to Rouglas Odor on third down from the Fordham 34. But the drive then stalled and the Rams punted the ball to the Lions.

Nassau Community College then moved 51 yards on six plays, scoring on a four-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. The big play of the drive was a 21-yard rush that moved the ball from the Fordham 36 to the eight, wit an extra four yards tacked on for a face mask penalty.

The Rams went three and out on their next possession and the Lions responded with a eight-play, 61-yard drive, taking a 14-0 lead on eth last play of the first quarter with a one-yard touchdown plunge.

A 36-yard kickoff return gave Fordham good field position as the Rams took over on their own 46. But the offense couldn't capitalize on the field position and punted the ball back to the Lions.

The Fordham defense almost held Nassau Community College scoreless but the Lions went for it on fourth and one from the Fordham 32 and picked up the first down to keep the drive alive. Later in the drive, Nassau Community increased its lead to 21-0 on another one-yard rush.

The Rams then moved the ball from their own 43 to the Nassau Community two but couldn't push the ball over the goal on fourth and three as the first half ended. The drive was kept alive twice on fourth down plays, the first when Odor grabbed a screen pass and turned it into a 36-yard gain, putting the ball on the Nassau Community 17.

Four plays later, the drive appeared to be over but Nassau Community was called for a roughing the passer penalty on fourth down and gave the Rams a fresh set of downs.

Fordham also had a chance to score in the second half, moving from its own 22 to the Nassau Community 29 but the Rams couldn't convert on a fourth-and-one play and turned the ball back over to the Lions. Jamir Livingston had a big play in the drive, gaining 22 yards one a third down play that put the ball on the Lions' 36.

Defensively, Christopher Coratti and Gaetano Geminario led the Rams with five solo tackles, while Kevin Carter record five total stops, two solo.

The junior varsity will next be in action on Sunday, September 21st as they host the Columbia Junior Varsity at 2:00 p.m.

Nassau Community College at Fordham University JV September 5, 2008 - Jack Coffey Field

Rushing (Att.-Yds) : Fordham: Jamir Livingston 19-62, Mark Harvey 7-28, Douglas Papy 2-1.

Passing (Att.-Comp.-Yds.-Int.-TD): Fordham: Douglas Papy 6-2-0-13-0, Brian Taaffe 13-7-1-59-0.

Receiving (Recpt.-Yds): Fordham: Rouglas Odor 4-45, Brandon Ryan 4-18, Gerard Rizzo 1-9.

Tackles (Solo-Asst.-TFL-Sacks-PBU): Fordham: Christopher Coratti 5-0-0-0-0, Gaetano Geminario 5-0-0-0-0, Kevin Carter 2-3-0-0-0, Matt Donahue 2-3-0-0-0, Joe Evans 3-1-0-1-0, Lloyd Morrison 3-0-0-0-0, Jay Jackson 1-2-0-0-0, Ryan Bradley 2-0-0-0-0, Nnadozie Onyeabor 2-0-0-0-0. Michael Shackelford 2-0-0-0-0, Clarke Munson 1-0-1-0-0, Rodney Mann 0-1-0-1-0.